Hereford United star Paul Parry has said that he didn't expect Dagenham & Redbridge to be challenging for the title this season.
The Daggers play Ipswich Town at their Victoria Ground in the FA Cup third round today, and lie second in the league just behind Boston United. However, Parry told the Evening News that Boston will win the league,
"Dagenham have emerged as the surprise package because Boston had a lot of money to spend and were expected to be up there," he said. "I think it will be between those two and possibly Barnet but if I was a gambling man I would have to back Boston because they have the money."
In the recent game between the Bulls and Boston United, the Lincolnshire side won 1-0 with a late winner. "We were unlucky against them and I think we deserved a point. I don't think there is a massive gulf between us although they have an advantage with a bigger squad," Parry continued. "The cup run was brilliant but things have started to pick up in the league now with the recent wins against Telford and Stalybridge. It was a good win against Stalybridge and they didn't have many chances and I think we could have had a few more. We've been creating a lot of chances but not taking them as well as should have done but it is improving.
"We had a good start to the season with a couple of good wins but things have got off the boil a little bit and may be the cup run distracted us a bit. I'm surprised we've been down as far as we have but I think we'll be back in the top half by the end of the season."
Jan 4th:
HEREFORD United have confirmed that they are still awaiting payment of gate receipts from the FA Cup second round tie at Swindon Town last month.
All monies should have been paid within fourteen days and whilst Bulls chairman Graham Turner was sympathetic to the second division's financial problems, he told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "It's common knowledge that it's been difficult to run the club financially. We've sought investors without too much success. All the vibes suggest that we will remain at Edgar Street. We have to obviously satisfy Chelverton's requirements and we have to redevelop Edgar Street. All those problems are at the background at the moment. We've had a little hiccup with our FA Cup money from Swindon and it's a couple of weeks late. We know Swindon have got immense problems financially but so have a lot of other clubs and we would welcome that money being paid on time."
The tax authorities are on the back of Swindon and the possibility of being wound up is likely. They owe £900,000 to the Inland Revenue and a petition is ready for the end of February is they don't pay up. Debts are now at £10 million, according to a club spokesman speaking to HTV West.
"With one or two problems you get a cashflow problem and it was fortunate that we had the televised match that has eased the situation," continued Turner. "We dread the day when a club does go under in the middle of the season but it's looking more and more likely with the amount of debt being carried by football clubs. The game appears to be awash with money but you'd like to see a bit more filter down to the lower levels."
"The FA took a significant step with FA Cup prize money but we'd like to see more in the FA Trophy. They get a lot of money from sponsors like Umbro and the television companies for televising all the FA competition games and the Umbro Trophy is no exception. We got £2,500 for a live game in the FA Trophy and that was paid by the FA and not Sky. The FA deemed the game was worth just £2,500."
The clash against Telford United, which was postponed, caused some worry for Turner. "We were full of confidence and players were raring to go and it was a blow in that respect but putting on the chairman's hat, it's probably cost us a considerable amount of money," he said. "The fact that it's New Year's Day, a generally well supported day, and we were expecting a crowd of over 2,000 for that match. I think we'll get 1,500 for a midweek match perhaps in January or February so it has been a blow to the finances. We were hovering around the wrong end of the table and I think the two victories were well earned."
FOREST Green Rovers have a pitch inspection planned for 10am on Saturday morning to determine whether tomorrow's Nationwide Conference league game against Hereford United can go ahead as planned, kick off 3pm.
The Lawn pitch has been frozen hard for most of the week but a club spokesman said today that although there was a planned inspection, Rovers are "quietly confident" about the game being played.
Again, segregation will be in force this year at the Lawn with travelling supporters asked to use the turnstiles on the main road, towards the bottom of the hill.
Gavin Williams is extremely unlikely to play with an ankle knock, Ian Rodgerson is doubtful with a hip injury and Scott Voice, Mark Williams and Danny Davidson have all had flu. The Bulls will be without Tony Capaldi after his loan spell from Birmingham came to a close.
Forest Green boss Nigel Spink is boosted by the return of two players for the clash with Hereford at The Lawn. Lee Howey is back after a chest infection while Jamie Impey is also fit to start. Spink was not too dismayed after the New Year's Day match against Yeovil was postponed but is looking forward to facing the Bulls.
"Our self-belief has never been in doubt," said Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson to the Evening News. "We always believed we could get results but now we have got back-to-back wins it has given us a big lift."
"The lack of goals from the strikers was an area of concern but hopefully this (the goals against Stlybridge) will be a big boost to them and will mark the start of a little run," he added.
Rovers lost 6-1 to Boston United last time out and Robinson said: "They'll either be determined to get out and put in a good performance having been beaten so heavily or else their confidence might be low. But if we can compete and work the way we have done in recent games then we are in with a chance of getting a result of some description."
Surrey Racing quote a Hereford win at 15/8, a Forest Green victory at 11/10 and a draw at 12/5.
Jan 3rd:
MIDFIELDER Alex Kevan has been released by Hereford United coach Phil Robinson.
The ex-Burnley man left the club after sustaining a foot injury and missing the holiday matches against Telford United and Stalybridge Celtic. He played three league games for the club, and featured for a short spell in the 3-2 FA Cup second round defeat at Swindon Town.
Meanwhile, Hereford United's Ian Wright, Matt Baker and Matt Clarke have ben selected for the National League XI to play the British Universities' side, which Clarke once featured for, at Hednesford Town FC on Tuesday, January 15th.
HEREFORD United boss Phil Robinson has told midfielder Scott Goodwin to tidy up his game and cut out 'silly fouls' after he was send off against Stalybridge Celtic last Saturday.
The red card was his second of the season and Robinson said to the Evening News: "There is a fine line between combative and being a bit silly. Scott has just got to eliminate the silly bookings. I don't mind if he is booked for a fair, hard challenge while working hard to get the ball back. But his first booking against Stalybridge was unnecessary although his second was unlucky but if he'd not had the first booking he would not have been sent off.
"I don't want to stop him getting around the pitch and winning the ball back for us but I don't want to have to play another game with ten men."
Meanwhile, Football League chief executive David Burns rejected calls by Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson for lower division sides to operate as "nursery clubs" for Premiership teams (as reported on January 1st). Hutchinson had claimed the move would save many small clubs from extinction. However, Burns said research on such a proposal had already ruled it out.
He told the press: "The Football League undertook a year-long re-examination of the principles behind the restriction on club associations with a working party of nine club chairmen. It was the unanimous belief that in the interests of fair competition, clubs should continue to be required to maintain their independence and not become subsidiaries of other more senior clubs. In addition fans do not want to see their clubs turned into reserve sides for Premier League clubs. They would lose the sense of identity they currently have with the clubs they support."
HEREFORD United have two fitness doubts for Saturday's Nationwide Conference league clash at Forest Green Rovers, kick off 3pm.
Boss Phil Robinson is sweating over the fitness of striker Gavin Williams, who picked up a knee injury in the first half of Saturday's 3-0 win at Edgar Street against Stalybridge Celtic. Should he not make the game, Robinson has several options open to him with Rob Elmes, Scott Voice, Danny Davidson and Steve Piearce all recognised attackers in the United squad.
Veteran midfielder Ian Rodgerson is also a doubt going into the game at the Lawn. He is struggling with a hip injury but didn't play last weekend, so no changes in midfield are expected.
Hereford are one place above Forest Green on goal difference and Robinson told the Hereford Times: "If we can maintain the form that we have shown recently then we can start moving up the table. We had a great performance at Telford, while we kept another clean sheet against Stalybridge and, at times, we also played som excellent football."
Rovers are not in good form having lost 6-1 to Boston United last weekend and have not won at home in their last six games. However, they have drawn five of those encounters.
Jan 2nd:
CONFGUIDE.com reported today that the controversial plans for the Nationwide Conference championship to be decided by an end-of-season play-off scheme have been dropped.
Although it had been widely assumed that this was the case following rejection of the scheme by the FA and Nationwide League, we've never seen an announcement from the Nationwide Conference on the issue.
A query to the Conference office has confirmed that the play-offs will NOT go ahead. However, the early finish to the season (which allowed time for the extra matches) remains in place.
THE Worcester Evening News' annual Ray Mercer Trophy award has a new leader at the midway point of the football season - Hereford United's Tony James.
The young defender is now ahead of Stourport Swifts' Asa Charlton having played twenty six games and gaining an average Evening News rating on 7.38 marks per match. James is widely regarded as Hereford's most under rated player and his solid displays in defence have boosted his rating as he rarely puts a foot wrong.
Second-placed Charlton has 7.32 marks, whilst his Stourport team mate Simon Marsh is on 7.20. Hereford's goalkeeper Matt Baker has 6.96 marks, in fourth place in the ratings. All players from Kidderminster Harriers, Hereford United, Worcester City, Evesham United and Stourport Swifts qualify after they have played sixteen games.
Jan 1st:
TODAY's Nationwide Conference clash between Hereford United and Telford United at Edgar Street is off.
The club said a frozen pitch has forced its postponement.
SUPPORT is gathering for small clubs to become nursery clubs to the Premiership giants according to Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson.
The system allows clubs to survive but only as virtual reserve teams and the Football League has already rejected the initiative as it would mean smaller clubs losing their identities. However, clubs are instead taking their money elsewhere to the likes of Ireland, Belgium and South Africa.
Hutchinson said: "They (The Football League) have a great opportunity to help the game in the lower divisions with some radical thinking about nursery clubs. The Football League board have previously shunned the idea. But the game is crying out for such a move. Millions of pounds are being invested by Premiership sides in overseas clubs because nursery links are forbidden in this country. Many Football League clubs would welcome a Premiership tie-up. In some cases, it could prevent extinction.
"There are dozens of community clubs that are an important part of local life but with few aspirations to climb to the higher reaches. They would benefit from a helping hand from a Premiership outfit. Assistance with coaching, commercial deals, the loan of young players, investment in youth policies. The scope is unlimited. Instead of investing overseas in nursery clubs, most Premiership sides would prefer to keep the money in the English game. But it won't happen unless the Football League moves into the 21st Century."
Should the initiative been launched, Hereford United would have a number of likely partners. The Bulls have already used two Birmingham City reserve players this season (Tony Capaldi and Neil Barnes) whilst Graham Turner's links with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa may aid a link. Black Country side West Bromwich Albion are another possible partner, expecially if they continue to push for promotion from Division One.
The Daggers play Ipswich Town at their Victoria Ground in the FA Cup third round today, and lie second in the league just behind Boston United. However, Parry told the Evening News that Boston will win the league,
"Dagenham have emerged as the surprise package because Boston had a lot of money to spend and were expected to be up there," he said. "I think it will be between those two and possibly Barnet but if I was a gambling man I would have to back Boston because they have the money."
In the recent game between the Bulls and Boston United, the Lincolnshire side won 1-0 with a late winner. "We were unlucky against them and I think we deserved a point. I don't think there is a massive gulf between us although they have an advantage with a bigger squad," Parry continued. "The cup run was brilliant but things have started to pick up in the league now with the recent wins against Telford and Stalybridge. It was a good win against Stalybridge and they didn't have many chances and I think we could have had a few more. We've been creating a lot of chances but not taking them as well as should have done but it is improving.
"We had a good start to the season with a couple of good wins but things have got off the boil a little bit and may be the cup run distracted us a bit. I'm surprised we've been down as far as we have but I think we'll be back in the top half by the end of the season."
Jan 4th:
HEREFORD United have confirmed that they are still awaiting payment of gate receipts from the FA Cup second round tie at Swindon Town last month.
All monies should have been paid within fourteen days and whilst Bulls chairman Graham Turner was sympathetic to the second division's financial problems, he told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "It's common knowledge that it's been difficult to run the club financially. We've sought investors without too much success. All the vibes suggest that we will remain at Edgar Street. We have to obviously satisfy Chelverton's requirements and we have to redevelop Edgar Street. All those problems are at the background at the moment. We've had a little hiccup with our FA Cup money from Swindon and it's a couple of weeks late. We know Swindon have got immense problems financially but so have a lot of other clubs and we would welcome that money being paid on time."
The tax authorities are on the back of Swindon and the possibility of being wound up is likely. They owe £900,000 to the Inland Revenue and a petition is ready for the end of February is they don't pay up. Debts are now at £10 million, according to a club spokesman speaking to HTV West.
"With one or two problems you get a cashflow problem and it was fortunate that we had the televised match that has eased the situation," continued Turner. "We dread the day when a club does go under in the middle of the season but it's looking more and more likely with the amount of debt being carried by football clubs. The game appears to be awash with money but you'd like to see a bit more filter down to the lower levels."
"The FA took a significant step with FA Cup prize money but we'd like to see more in the FA Trophy. They get a lot of money from sponsors like Umbro and the television companies for televising all the FA competition games and the Umbro Trophy is no exception. We got £2,500 for a live game in the FA Trophy and that was paid by the FA and not Sky. The FA deemed the game was worth just £2,500."
The clash against Telford United, which was postponed, caused some worry for Turner. "We were full of confidence and players were raring to go and it was a blow in that respect but putting on the chairman's hat, it's probably cost us a considerable amount of money," he said. "The fact that it's New Year's Day, a generally well supported day, and we were expecting a crowd of over 2,000 for that match. I think we'll get 1,500 for a midweek match perhaps in January or February so it has been a blow to the finances. We were hovering around the wrong end of the table and I think the two victories were well earned."
FOREST Green Rovers have a pitch inspection planned for 10am on Saturday morning to determine whether tomorrow's Nationwide Conference league game against Hereford United can go ahead as planned, kick off 3pm.
The Lawn pitch has been frozen hard for most of the week but a club spokesman said today that although there was a planned inspection, Rovers are "quietly confident" about the game being played.
Again, segregation will be in force this year at the Lawn with travelling supporters asked to use the turnstiles on the main road, towards the bottom of the hill.
Gavin Williams is extremely unlikely to play with an ankle knock, Ian Rodgerson is doubtful with a hip injury and Scott Voice, Mark Williams and Danny Davidson have all had flu. The Bulls will be without Tony Capaldi after his loan spell from Birmingham came to a close.
Forest Green boss Nigel Spink is boosted by the return of two players for the clash with Hereford at The Lawn. Lee Howey is back after a chest infection while Jamie Impey is also fit to start. Spink was not too dismayed after the New Year's Day match against Yeovil was postponed but is looking forward to facing the Bulls.
"Our self-belief has never been in doubt," said Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson to the Evening News. "We always believed we could get results but now we have got back-to-back wins it has given us a big lift."
"The lack of goals from the strikers was an area of concern but hopefully this (the goals against Stlybridge) will be a big boost to them and will mark the start of a little run," he added.
Rovers lost 6-1 to Boston United last time out and Robinson said: "They'll either be determined to get out and put in a good performance having been beaten so heavily or else their confidence might be low. But if we can compete and work the way we have done in recent games then we are in with a chance of getting a result of some description."
Surrey Racing quote a Hereford win at 15/8, a Forest Green victory at 11/10 and a draw at 12/5.
Jan 3rd:
MIDFIELDER Alex Kevan has been released by Hereford United coach Phil Robinson.
The ex-Burnley man left the club after sustaining a foot injury and missing the holiday matches against Telford United and Stalybridge Celtic. He played three league games for the club, and featured for a short spell in the 3-2 FA Cup second round defeat at Swindon Town.
Meanwhile, Hereford United's Ian Wright, Matt Baker and Matt Clarke have ben selected for the National League XI to play the British Universities' side, which Clarke once featured for, at Hednesford Town FC on Tuesday, January 15th.
HEREFORD United boss Phil Robinson has told midfielder Scott Goodwin to tidy up his game and cut out 'silly fouls' after he was send off against Stalybridge Celtic last Saturday.
The red card was his second of the season and Robinson said to the Evening News: "There is a fine line between combative and being a bit silly. Scott has just got to eliminate the silly bookings. I don't mind if he is booked for a fair, hard challenge while working hard to get the ball back. But his first booking against Stalybridge was unnecessary although his second was unlucky but if he'd not had the first booking he would not have been sent off.
"I don't want to stop him getting around the pitch and winning the ball back for us but I don't want to have to play another game with ten men."
Meanwhile, Football League chief executive David Burns rejected calls by Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson for lower division sides to operate as "nursery clubs" for Premiership teams (as reported on January 1st). Hutchinson had claimed the move would save many small clubs from extinction. However, Burns said research on such a proposal had already ruled it out.
He told the press: "The Football League undertook a year-long re-examination of the principles behind the restriction on club associations with a working party of nine club chairmen. It was the unanimous belief that in the interests of fair competition, clubs should continue to be required to maintain their independence and not become subsidiaries of other more senior clubs. In addition fans do not want to see their clubs turned into reserve sides for Premier League clubs. They would lose the sense of identity they currently have with the clubs they support."
HEREFORD United have two fitness doubts for Saturday's Nationwide Conference league clash at Forest Green Rovers, kick off 3pm.
Boss Phil Robinson is sweating over the fitness of striker Gavin Williams, who picked up a knee injury in the first half of Saturday's 3-0 win at Edgar Street against Stalybridge Celtic. Should he not make the game, Robinson has several options open to him with Rob Elmes, Scott Voice, Danny Davidson and Steve Piearce all recognised attackers in the United squad.
Veteran midfielder Ian Rodgerson is also a doubt going into the game at the Lawn. He is struggling with a hip injury but didn't play last weekend, so no changes in midfield are expected.
Hereford are one place above Forest Green on goal difference and Robinson told the Hereford Times: "If we can maintain the form that we have shown recently then we can start moving up the table. We had a great performance at Telford, while we kept another clean sheet against Stalybridge and, at times, we also played som excellent football."
Rovers are not in good form having lost 6-1 to Boston United last weekend and have not won at home in their last six games. However, they have drawn five of those encounters.
Jan 2nd:
CONFGUIDE.com reported today that the controversial plans for the Nationwide Conference championship to be decided by an end-of-season play-off scheme have been dropped.
Although it had been widely assumed that this was the case following rejection of the scheme by the FA and Nationwide League, we've never seen an announcement from the Nationwide Conference on the issue.
A query to the Conference office has confirmed that the play-offs will NOT go ahead. However, the early finish to the season (which allowed time for the extra matches) remains in place.
THE Worcester Evening News' annual Ray Mercer Trophy award has a new leader at the midway point of the football season - Hereford United's Tony James.
The young defender is now ahead of Stourport Swifts' Asa Charlton having played twenty six games and gaining an average Evening News rating on 7.38 marks per match. James is widely regarded as Hereford's most under rated player and his solid displays in defence have boosted his rating as he rarely puts a foot wrong.
Second-placed Charlton has 7.32 marks, whilst his Stourport team mate Simon Marsh is on 7.20. Hereford's goalkeeper Matt Baker has 6.96 marks, in fourth place in the ratings. All players from Kidderminster Harriers, Hereford United, Worcester City, Evesham United and Stourport Swifts qualify after they have played sixteen games.
Jan 1st:
TODAY's Nationwide Conference clash between Hereford United and Telford United at Edgar Street is off.
The club said a frozen pitch has forced its postponement.
SUPPORT is gathering for small clubs to become nursery clubs to the Premiership giants according to Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson.
The system allows clubs to survive but only as virtual reserve teams and the Football League has already rejected the initiative as it would mean smaller clubs losing their identities. However, clubs are instead taking their money elsewhere to the likes of Ireland, Belgium and South Africa.
Hutchinson said: "They (The Football League) have a great opportunity to help the game in the lower divisions with some radical thinking about nursery clubs. The Football League board have previously shunned the idea. But the game is crying out for such a move. Millions of pounds are being invested by Premiership sides in overseas clubs because nursery links are forbidden in this country. Many Football League clubs would welcome a Premiership tie-up. In some cases, it could prevent extinction.
"There are dozens of community clubs that are an important part of local life but with few aspirations to climb to the higher reaches. They would benefit from a helping hand from a Premiership outfit. Assistance with coaching, commercial deals, the loan of young players, investment in youth policies. The scope is unlimited. Instead of investing overseas in nursery clubs, most Premiership sides would prefer to keep the money in the English game. But it won't happen unless the Football League moves into the 21st Century."
Should the initiative been launched, Hereford United would have a number of likely partners. The Bulls have already used two Birmingham City reserve players this season (Tony Capaldi and Neil Barnes) whilst Graham Turner's links with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa may aid a link. Black Country side West Bromwich Albion are another possible partner, expecially if they continue to push for promotion from Division One.