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Next Game: Pre-Season

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Post AGM Interview With Hereford FC Chairman Ken Kinnersley


After Monday night's AGM at Edgar Street, Hereford FC chairman Ken Kinnersley kindly spoke to BN.

BN suggested it had been another successful AGM.

"I don't know," said Kinnersley

"You were there, you'll have to tell me! 

"I think the main point is that the club is solvent. That we are controlling expenditure. 

"We are looking forward to promotions and trying to build a bit of a war chest because of the probability of increased players wages as we go up the Leagues."

In the AGM the chairman confirmed that manager Peter Beadle was on a rolling twelve month contract.

"We need him to be, we don't want to lose him to some League club who might take a fancy to him."

Asked if there had been any approach for Beadle, Kinnersley said no.

"Not directly to me." 

What about the stadium?

"People know the Blackfriars is a potential redevelopment site which is in the hands of the Council with their preferred development partner Keepmoat.

"We are in constant communication with both Keepmoat and the Council over the Blackfriars End.

"It is fairly high on their priority for re-development. What will be built there we don't know yet. But we do have two letters of understanding from the Council. One is in connection with the stand which we would need to have to return to a four-sided stadium on the Blackfriars End. That is understood. 

"We thought that letter was neccessary because personalities change within the Hereford FC board and also within the Council. We wanted to get it in writing that we have reached this agreement so if any personalities change over the next five years, whatever the period might be, there is some record at least, it's not legally binding but it does show that we've had the conversation and that was the agreement.

"Simarily they also recognise that in the event we get promoted we need to return to a four-sided stadium and to develope the football side of it any grant aided funding is going to need a much longer lease period that the ten years lease we are just about to trigger in the next two years.

"So with that in mind they've written a letter to us to say that they understand that need, and they recognise that need, and it is within the bounds of possibility that as and when that need arises we can go back to them and look at a new lease.

"We can get a derogation at National Level so we've probably got four or five years but I don't want to look too far ahead because firstly it's got to be done on the pitch, we can't do it off the pitch, it's got to be done on the pitch and I can't control that."

Going back to the accounts the profit was only £5000 however a lot of money was spent on the stadium. This season less money is set to be spent on the stadium and the club has had two good cup runs. More profit this year?

"Yes, hopefully but what we didn't budget for was setting up the Academy. That has taken us a little bit by surprise although it was always the boards ambition to run an Academy, our own youth set-up which we control. It came quicker and unexpectedly but the set-up costs have been minimal."

Kinnersley paid credit to the coaches who have joined from UITC.

"They've been very understanding of our financial position so moving forward the football club will not supporting the Academy. It has to be self-financing, 100%."

One of the problems at Hereford is with potential players who have come through the Academy but are not ready for the first team. They tend to move elsewhere. Do you feel there is a difficulty in keeping them attached to the club?

"Very much so. We've been looking at an under 21 or under 23 team would help both with first team players recovering from injury and help to keep the older teenage players.

"It's something we've been actively looking at. But it comes down to the facilities, having access to facilities is the problem and we are hamstrung by the lack of facilities.

"We are talking to people who may be in a position to help but it's a little bit down the line yet. I wouldn't want to raise hopes too much.

"The Academy is important for us and at present with the level we are playing at any club can come in and take them but I think the pull for young local lads playing for Hereford FC in any League is strong if they are local born and bred.

"There's nothing our supporters like more than seeing a local lad on that pitch with the Bull on their chest. They love it, I love it.

"The Acamemy can be the start of a life long relationship with the club and the Junior Bulls as well.

"There are over 700 Junior Bulls, It's just incredible.

"I don't know why it's happened. I think it must go back to the old adage you don't know what you've got until you lose it.

"Parents come with their kids and have a great time. Jane is doing a fantastic job with the Junior Bulls and it is part of our community committment, which is an area we haven't really got into yet.

"Again if you moving into the community it takes finance."

The interview moved onto the Feeded Road set to go past the club. There will be more traffic and less car parking.

"We've asked the Council for a site meeting for them to see but we only use it twice a month on Saturdays and they work Monday to Friday. They don't see what happens here on a Saturday so with new feeder road joining the Old Market to the New Link Road which has just been opened, it is dangerous on a match day. The speed of traffic through the old Merton Car Park it is just dangerous and if you then add in a team coach unloading kit outside the compound with cars overtaking and pedestrians walking by in the traffic.

"We have raised the issue with the Council, we have asked for a site meeting so I'm sure they will look at it."

Finally the season on the pitch. The chairman was very cautious.

"I'm very happy where we are at present. I'm the eternal pessimist, my glass is always half-empty not half-full, so when it's mathematical impossible for us not to be promoted then I'll be happy but until then there's always a chance it won't happen."