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Next Game: Banbury Away On Friday March 29th Kick-Off 3.00pm

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Hereford - Heroics and Heritage


Next Saturday Tonbridge Angels welcome Hereford FC to their ground for an FA Third Qualifying Round Cup Tie.

As part of the build up to the game Simon Piper has written an article all about Hereford United and Hereford FC.

On Saturday afternoon the Angels are honoured to welcome guests that during their glory years were among the best semi-professional football had to offer. The original Hereford United crossed swords with Tonbridge regularly in the Southern League, during our own purple patch of the 1950s. Attendances of between 4,000 and 5,000 witnessed frequent clashes at the old, town centre Angel Ground, in the division just below the professional set-up.

Hereford’s heritage, stature and past glories, particularly the famous giant-killing, and the large crowd likely at Longmead, should make it a similar special occasion.

And our FA Cup record over nearly 50 years points towards another-season-wait. That said, the competition is for the underdogs as “Supermac” and the likely lads of 1970s’ Newcastle will testify. But, are Tonbridge or Hereford the favourites today? The Angels, of the Ryman Premier, possibly have the edge on paper, being near the top of a division higher on the pyramid (level 7 compared to 8).

In all honesty though, the Bulls, managed by former Gillingham forward Peter Beadle, have the cup pedigree, support and tradition, and, with proper management, the potential to follow in the footsteps of the fan-owned AFC Wimbledon.

With Hereford’s previous heroics and heritage, suspect the old adage of “concentrating on the league” will be the eventual outcome at Longmead, possibly after a replay at a quaint and famous veteran venue…