If you build it - they will come!

At long last Gateshead FC have officially revealed plans for a new purpose built stadium in the heart of the town centre. This is also good news on a personal level as I’ve been pestered nonstop for the last 2-3 years from everyone wanting to know where and when the new ground will to be built.
The stadium will be constructed on land of the former North Durham Cricket and Rugby Club on Prince Consort Road.

The stadiums key features are;

· Fully covered 9,000 capacity including 2,000 seats

· TTH Architects – previous projects include Liberty Stadium, as well as the rebuild St James Park, Bloomfield Road and Vicarage Road.

· Facilities include Reception and club offices, executive suites and boxes for matchday hospitality.

· 600 car park spaces courtesy of the nearby Civic Centre

· Excellent transport links, close to Metro and bus interchange

· Hopeful completion date - start of 2011/12 season

The Heed Army can at last look forward to finally having our own home, leaving the unpopular International stadium where Gateshead have played since reforming in 1977. The club also have plans to go full time next season, so the future is looking bright with exciting times ahead for the Heed.

More details on the GFC website here

Como dijo el Lonje Moco...

* Infame partido guerrero
* Dejan ir la cima.
* Demasiado conformismo en el equipo
* ...Y no nos marcaron un penal en contra
* Ahora...a despedir al Corona.

Enmedio de la selva chiapaneca, Santos se conformó con no perder ante el peor rival de local como lo son, los Jaguares de Luis Fernando Tena.
Santos tuvo todo, menos las ganas para trepar a la cima, el partido en sí, ideal para todas aquellas personas que sufren de insomnio, lástima que fue por la tarde, pero en honor a la verdad, ambos equipos mostraron una pobreza en su futbol que lo mejor hubiera sido dejar el juego en la mesa.

¿Lo rescatable?

Aparte de estas chapanecas,
mas merezco, pero con ellas me conformo...

pues que Santos sigue con su racha positiva de juegos sin perder y ya, párenle de contar porque este juego no dio para más.
Podemos decir muchas cosas negativas...
Que si Uriel se vio mal, que le perdonaron un penal clarísimo, que siempre se lo llevaron, que hicieron lo que quisieron...etc..etc.. pero sinceramente, fue un mal juego DE TODO EL CONJUNTO lagunero.
Salvo las honrosas excepciones de Guti Estrada y Lorito Jiménez, Santos exhibió un conformismo bárbaro, aunado a la sequia extrema que nuestros delanteros sufren, en el caso especial de Matías Vuoso si bien lucha y se desgarra el uniforme en la cancha, tambien debemos mencionar que esta siendo literalmente CAZADO por los arbitros, TODO LE MARCAN EN CONTRA y se nota en su rostro la frustración de ver que ya lo tienen catalogado como una falta en contra del Santos automática, cuando este deporte es llamado EL DEPORTE DEL HOMBRE, nuestros arbitros mexicanos ( y muchos jugadores tambien ) se han encargado de hacer parecer que se juega con vedettes. (MENCION APARTE merecen los Libertad Lamarque, esos jugadores que al sentir un contacto se caen y hacen una actuacion digna del Oscar...vd Arce? ).

Darwin Quntero, nuevamente se perdió, nunca tuvo un balon a modo, y cuando lo tuvo nunca pudo retenerlo asi que paso sin pena ni gloria en este encuentro, pero es otro de los que la sequia de goles afecta y bastante, vamos para la jornada 14 y el mejor goleador de Santos si no mal recuerdo sigue siendo Daniel Ludueña...¿y los delanteros apá?

Hasta Oswaldo se estaba durmiendo...

Si bien fue un mal partido ( mal caon?, pinche partido pitero!! ) tampoco podemos irnos al extremo de hablar con el estomago ( como muchos comentarios vistos por ahi ) fue un mal juego, y se acabó, no se jugó a nada, los cambios fueron...fueron...bueno, ya sabemos la historia de los cambios con este tecnico asi que no me metere en camisa de once varas.

A lo que voy, es cierto....
Santos jugo mal, feo y horrible ( ¿Peralta? )

Es de cariño carnal, no se awite...

pero aun con ese futbol, le basto para sacar un empate de visitante, ni caso tiene analizar profundamente, cuestionar o criticar de mala leche...¿para qué? si aun asi, se tiene a tiro el liderato general. se es líder del grupo, se amplió la ventaja ( un punto es un punto ) y se amplia una racha ganadora que hace tiempo no teniamos.
Ahora, a recibir a los Pumas de la UNAM en lo que sera el cerrojazo a nuestro querido Estadio Corona y muchos de los reflectores estaran puestos en ese juego.
Será un partido bastante especial, ojala que los nuestros sepan apreciarlo para dar mas del 110% y darle un adios como bien se merece ese estadio, sera triste, sera nostalgico decirle adios, pero en esta vida es renovar o morir, asi que tendremos que decirle adios al Corona para darle paso a su homónimo, El nuevo Estadio Corona, la nueva casa del Dolor ajeno.
Todas las personas que puedan asistir, griten, emocionense, hagan sentir la voz del Corona en su ultimo partido, en su adios...

Sale!!

PD. Resultados de la jornada 13 del torneo
virtual de santa grandeza.

Wearside League Wanderings - part four

220. Leyburn Grove
Houghton Town 0v3 Guisborough Town HC
Wearside League
Wednesday 12th August 2009

Ambitious club Houghton Town took the step up from the Durham Alliance and along with Scarborough Town are this season’s newcomers to the Wearside League.
The club formed as recently as 2006, originally as The Board Inn FC, playing in the Wearside Combination League for two seasons, before a successful season as the renamed Sunderland South FC last season.
The club is based in Houghton-le-Spring, a small town approximately 6 miles south-west of Sunderland town centre.
Home matches are played at Leyburn Grove which is part of the Houghton Sports Complex. The pitch is in the far corner of the cricket field, fenced off with eight sets of beanpole floodlights and a set of ‘site safe’ fold away dugouts.
The clubhouse is the Houghton CW pavilion with a separate changing room block, both found at the main entrance next to the car park, where access is gained at the bottom of the housing estate.

Houghton Town made their Wearside League debut the previous Saturday with a 2-0 home victory over Coxhoe Athletic, but unfortunately were unable to continue their winning start against Guisborough Town HC, their opponents enjoying a comfortable 3-0 success.
The visitors took an early lead when Sharkey got on the end of a free kick, finishing with a fine volley from close range, he then doubled their lead five minutes before the break, his shot taking a slight deflection giving the goalkeeper no chance.
Houghton’s best chances came in the second half, a couple of free kicks from the edge of the box going narrowly wide, then on 76 minutes they were awarded a penalty after a handball incident.
After a lengthy delay due to strong Guisborough protests which resulted in the referee dishing out a few yellow cards, Matthew Raine eventually stepped up only to see Guisborough’s keeper pull off a fantastic save to retain their two goal lead.
The match was finished as a contest five minutes from time, Sharkey got on the end of a left wing cross to complete his hat-trick and secure the away victory.

Houghton Town also have access to the FIFA approved 3G pitch at Houghton Keiper Sports College, which is floodlit and available during bad weather. So I may be revisiting Houghton Town again at another ground during the winter months.
Matchday stats
HTFC 0 GTHC 3(Sharkey 10,40,85)
Admission £2
Programme £1
Att. 33(H.C.)

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224.Grayfields Enclosure
Hartlepool FC 1v2 Annfield Plain
Wearside League
Wednesday 2nd September 2009

Hartlepool origins began in the 1980’s playing in a local church league initially as the Fens Hotel and then under the name of Arriva FC.
The club moved on to the Teesside League, winning cup honours and the Second Division title under the new name of Teesside Arriva.
On the eve of the 2004-05 season the club became Hartlepool FC, going on to win the Teesside League and the Durham Trophy that season, the move to the Wearside League came in 2006-07.

Grayfields Enclosure is a large area of playing fields on the outskirts of the town, the complex has several pitches, including an all weather surface.
Access to the main pitch is via the pavilion, where you walk through the building’s reception, then along the corridor passing the changing rooms and like the players and staff you gain entry to the pitch through a set of double doors, where a couple of young lads are waiting to take your admission money.

The game with Annfield Plain was played in good spirit, with no nasty tackles and the referee not receive too much stick, a rarity indeed.
Annfield took the lead in the first half when a 25 yard shot from Gordon went in off the post. That lead was extended on 68 minutes when Henderson latched on to a through ball, the keeper saved the initial shot but the rebound fell kindly for him to knock the ball into an empty net.
Hartlepool halved the deficit a few minutes later with a well placed shot from Ross, shooting past the keeper into the far corner from a tight angle wide on the left.
Annfield finished the game more stronger, looking more likely to extend their lead than concede an equaliser.
Then on 80 minutes the referee blew the whistle and called both captains together. It had been raining for most of the day and dark rain clouds meant the visibility was getting worse.
As Grayfields has no floodlights facilities, the referee and both skippers decided to play five more minutes instead of the allotted ten. A desperate last five minutes saw no further goals but Annfield Plain deserving their victory on the number of chances created over the 85 minutes.
The match kicked off five minutes later than the scheduled 6.30pm start, due to the Annfield Plain team turning up late, so if they had of been on time there wouldn’t have been such a problem, so maybe in the end they may have benefited by their late show.
Matchday stats
HFC 1(Ross 70) APFC 2(Henderson 28, Gordon 68)
Admission £1.50
Programme:none
Att. 28(H.C.)

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230. Gurney Street
New Marske 1v3 Ryhope CW
Wearside League
Saturday 24th October 2009

New Marske is a village in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland. The village was originally a miners settlement, having a cluster of miners terraced houses, with the old mine works found nearby in Errington Woods.
New Marske Sports Club became members of the Wearside League in 1998-99 season, finishing runners-up in the newly reformed Division Two in their debut season.
The clubs most successful season to date was in 2007-08, winning the league title with only two defeats in 36 games and scoring 120 goals. They also added the Monkwearmouth Cup and I was in attendance to see them completing the treble, when winning the Wearside League Cup at Wolviston.

The Gurney Street ground is found at the beginning(or end - depending which way you came) of the village. The New Marske Sports Club is situated in the car park, the spacious lounge bar looks out onto the pitch.
The players changing rooms annex the clubhouse next to a separate building for the match officials, which also has a refreshment bar. The home dugouts are also on the nearside with some partial hard standing. The other three sides are grass banks with the away dugout opposite, from here you can see panaramic views of the North Sea, covering the coastline from Redcar down to Marske.
The club have ambitions to eventually step up to the Northern League. Planning permission has been giving to develop the ground and install floodlights, but unfortunately the much needed grant from the FA is currently on hold.
New Marske’s opponents Ryhope CW have had a fantastic start to the season, winning 10 and drawing one of 12 games, however this still isn’t enough to claim top spot, leaders Scarborough Town have a two point lead winning 11 from 12.
Ryhope dominated the game but found themselves in the unfortunate position of trailing at half time. Looking at the New Marske players, I think you need to be at least six foot tall to get a game. The goal coming from the big number eleven Michael Mackin just before the interval, nodding the ball high into the top corner after a good cross from the overlapping right-back.

Ryhope took control early in the second half. Butler equalised chipping the goalkeeper with a nice finish and then Jordan rounded the keeper to make it 2-1 in the 54th minute.
New Marske were giving an opportunity to equalise. A free kick from the edge of the box was blocked and adjudged as a handball. Howe stepped up and young keeper Atkinson made a terrific save, diving low to his left to palm the ball out for a corner.
Ryhope were finally guaranteed the three points on 71 minutes, Butler beating the offside trap before nonchalantly knocked the ball past the keeper, his manager’s half time prediction of a 3-1 win proving to be correct.

Footnote; This win for Ryhope, coupled with Scarborough Town's suprising 3-5 home defeat to Kirbymoorside saw them leapfrog them into top spot.

Matchday stats

NMFC 1(M.Mackin 42) RCW 3(Butler 49,71 Jordan 54)
Admission £2 - which included programme and a raffle ticket for the half time meat draw.
Att. 46(H.C.)

Magro resultado, pero se sigue por buen camino.

* Santos derrota 1-0 a las Chivas ratoneras del Guadalajara.
* Darwin Quintero, se reencuentra con el gol.
* Penultimo juego en el Corona
* 7 Juegos sin perder...
* a 3 puntos del lider general.

En en un horario y día atípico gracias a un circo fraudulento llamado pomposamente "elecciones locales", Santos Laguna vence por la mínima a las "gloriosas", "poderosas", "grandes", y demas adjetivos populachos y baratos que se le quieran añadir a un equipo que en todos lados es "querido y popular" menos...aqui, aqui ninguno es bienvenido, aqui somos Guerreros, les guste o no.

Las Chivas ratoneras vinieron a encerrarse, a no perder, fieles al infumable estilo de su "gran estratega" Raul Arias, el cual es un serio asesino del futbol espectaculo con 8, si, 8 jugadores en su parte defensiva y en el pecado llevo su penitencia, y que diga que le fue bien, pues bien pudieron haber salido goleados y humillados si no es porque a los nuestros les sigue faltando ese ultimo "click" en la parte final del campo lo que los lleva a desaprovechar innumerables ocasiones de gol, mencion aparte los ilógicos movimientos que sigue teniendo nuestro tecnico que no conforme con alinear a un jugador al cual no se le ve compromiso alguno, manda cambios que nadie entiende o al menos no un servidor.

El mejor jugador de Chivas...German Arredondo.

Digno de mencion, el gran juego del Lorito Jimenez, que siempre da la cara, casta y sudor por la camiseta, la paciencia de un "Toro" Vuoso que se tragó el coraje de ser amonestado prontamente por el que a la postre seria el mejor jugador del Rebaño ratonero, pues mientras amonestaba asi de rapido a Vuoso, no le sacaba amarilla a las chivas que se cansaban de parar el juego con faltitas "tacticas" una, tras otra, tras otra en un juego marrullero que Arias conoce a la perfeccion.

Carlos Darwin Quintero, fue otro de los que se le vio mas aplicado en el juego en conjunto, poniendo balones --incluyendo una jugada bella de sombrerito sobre un rival-- y poniendosela a Matias para una chilena hermosa que desgraciadamente no fue conectada y metida si no, hubieramos presenciado uno de los goles mas bellos en la historia del club.
Aun asi, el colombiano, tuvo el tino de marcar el tanto que hizo diferencia en el partido y que nos permite seguir con la racha positiva en el torneo, llegando incluso ya al 3er lugar general, a 3 puntos del líder general.

Plop!

Este fue el penultimo juego en nuestro vetusto estadio, el cual, poco a poco se prepara para dar el cerrojazo final de una vida prospera y gloriosa para este club, un estadio donde --a diferencia de otros-- nadie ajeno a nuestro equipo se coronó...aqui no regalamos títulos, ni tuvimos que "aplaudir" al rival para tragarnos una derrota viendo como otros se llevaban el trofeo, aqui se ganaron las finales, como debía de ser.
Ahora solo resta uno, la despedida en contra de unas gatas revolcadas llamadas UNAM, para luego dar paso a la magna inauguracion del TSM que vendra --y tendra-- un gran paquete por cumplir, seguir siendo considerada LA CASA DEL DOLOR AJENO.

Sale!!

PD. Resultados del torneo virtual Santa Grandeza .

Y El ganador de este partido fue...

* Emocionante partido en puebla
* Desatenciones que cuestan puntos
* Oswaldo, nada que hacer.
* Mosqueda, cambio de lujo

Un trepidante, emocionante y agonico juego fue el que vivieron en la angelópolis donde Santos y Puebla dejaron todo en el terreno y realizaron el mejor partido de la jornada con un gran 3-3 que nadie esperaba.

Santos lo tuvo todo para traerse una victoria, sin embargo, siguen apareciendo las fallas tanto adelante como atras, y es que realmente si se hubieran ( ya se, no existe ) peeero si se hubieran aplicado, ahorita estaríamos platicandoles de una victoria, la cual,tuvieron en sus manos en 2 ocasiones y a solo 3 minutos del final, entonces, si bien fue un gran juego si te deja un saborcito medio amargo el hecho de que te hayan emparejado y terminado con tu racha de victorias seguidas.

Vuoso sigue dándonos de que hablar, al tener al final, la jugada ideal ( y de las que le gustan ) para traerse la victoria y sin embargo se hizo bolas el mismo dejando ir la posibilidad.
Pero no solo él, si Vuoso aun no se siente confiado, Darwin Quintero le dice quítate que ahi te voy, al tener VARIAS oportunidades que sigue desperdiciando a veces de forma tan lamentable que nos hace recordar al Colombiano Miguel Asprilla, con la diferencia que aquel de perdido metia las difíciles mientras Darwin ya ni esas.

El juego en si fue parejo, con mucho manejo de los de la Comarca que salían con un inspirado Fernando Arce en lugar de Quiñones, en realidad, fue bueno el movimiento, sin embargo tambien Quiñones vaya que hizo falta, nuestra línea de 5 en los 3 goles fue simplemente evidenciada, porque realmente no hay uno ( quitando a Estrada ) que tome la batuta, tan es asi que los dos ultimos goles vienen por fallas en la marca, al ninguno tomar a su chambelan y dejandolo rematar a quemarropa ante Oswaldo que dicho sea de paso, se le debe haber reventado la vescícula de tanto mendigo coraje que le hicieron pasar.

Si bien el primero del Puebla, fue un sendo GOLAZO del pescadito, la marca que hicieron Figueroa y Kanu fue de total displiscencia, no es toda su culpa, ok, lo dejo como un error minimo en como entrarle al balon, peeeero los otros dos, ni Figueroa, ni Uriel y muchisimo menos Kanu toman la responsabilidad del poblano y los dejaron entrar como juan por su casa.

Adelante, mientras tanto, seguimos esperando a que Quintero meta alguna con o sin portero, ya que tuvo varias llegadas claras y ninguna pudo concretar, mientras que Estrada ( si bien se entrego feamente en el primer gol ) lavó sus errores al ir y venir al frente y de hecho hizo mas daño que los dos delanteros que tuvimos, tan es asi que gracias a él, se provoco el penal y puso un tiro mas al poste que hubiera sido justa recompensa a la incansable labor que siempre realiza el "Pony de Hierro" del equipo santista.

"no los oigo, soy de palo tengo orejas de ....chin! pinchi pescadito"

Los cambios vinieron --a mi modo de ver las cosas-- a destantear al equipo, sobre todo el primero, pues la salida de Lorito y la entrada de Ochoa no hizo mas que desacomodar el cuadro, pues la media cancha se perdio por completo, tan es asi que fue el mejor lapso de los poblanos en el partido y tan es asi que es durante ese lapso cuando nos dejan irineo el segundo gol a cargo de Vigneri.
Bueno, al ver esto recula, ( ojo, recula no otra cosa ) y saca a Chema Cardenas para meter al que se ha convertido tenerlo todo un lujo en la banca, "More" Mosqueda, a partir de ahi Santos nuevamente toma la batuta del medio campo, tiene mas velocidad pasa de línea de 5 a 4, y Mosqueda termina siendo el rebulsivo ideal ya que en verdad se le ven ganas al chavo de jugar y ser titular.
Ochoa, antes de la entrada de Mosqueda, no retenía un solo balon, todos los perdia, pero luego de su entrada, Ochoa empezó a hacer lo que mejor hace, estar al frente y haciendo movimientos tan es asi que el segundo pase es un balon filtrado por Mosqueda para que Ochoa la firme y ponerse 2-2.

( la expresion de Sergio Bueno, vale todo el cartoon de Qucho ).

El 3-2 nace de una gran jugada alviberde, entre Arce, Mosqueda, Ochoa y luego Arce, trinagulan y hacen bailar al Puebla un oso, pero sabroso, esperemos que Darwin vea y aprenda como Ochoa no se quiso comer solo el balon y se vio bastante COMPARTIDO para que otro tuviera la opcion del disparo final, GOLAZO LAGUNERO.
Sin embargo Puebla no bajo nunca los brazos y mientras Santos ya saboreaba la victoria, vino otra falla de la defensa y el pescadito Ruiz les hace saber que del plato a la boca... y nos ensarta el tercer gol para algarabía de la aficion y las lagrimas de la Magdalena Chelis ( que dicho sea de paso, me cae de poca madre ).

Carton de Apebas.

Asi, Santos y Puebla dividen puntos, Santos suma 21 para alejarse a 3 de Cruz Azul que fueron a la caja de arena regiomontana a dar lastimas, se sigue la racha de partidos sin perder, pero se corta la racha de victorias seguidas.
Ahora, toca recibir a las GRISES chivas de Guadalajara que con su "flamante" timonel, ahora no juegan a nada, pero sacan resultados, hay que tener cuidado pues Arias es todo un marrullero, futbolisticamente hablando.
Sin embargo, eso sera hasta dentro de dos semanas, pues se suspende la liga gracias al super-recontra-dificil juego que tendra "nuestra" Seleccion Mexicana vs El Salvador, y digo "nuestra" entre comillas, porque mas parece una junta de los amigos de Aguirre.

Sale!

PD. Resultados de la jornada 11 del torneo virtual
de futbol Santa Grandeza.

PD. 2 No habia posteado porque en nuestras oficinas
teníamos mucha...distraccion.

hay amasita!

My Matchday - 229 Edgar Street

Hereford United 1v1 Dagenham & Redbridge

League Two

Saturday 3rd October 2009

Hereford is a cathedral city which lies on the River Wye, the county town of Herefordshire.

The town’s name derives from Anglo Saxon. “Here” meaning an army of soldiers and “Ford” the crossing point of a river, so the name suggests it was a place where foot soldiers crossed the River Wye.
The city is essentially a trading centre, manufacturing the likes of nickel alloys, chemicals, leather goods, also dealing in poultry and the cattle trade with the famous Hereford breed.
Most important of all is the production of a well known cider, as well as proper beer from the Spinning Dog and Wye Valley Breweries.

Edgar Street Athletic Stadium has been in use since the late 19th century, primarily for athletics, but also hosted cycling, tennis and of course football.
The ground had been home to Hereford Thistle and then Hereford City, who were playing on Edgar Street when two local sides; St Martins and Rotherwas merged in 1924 to form Hereford United.
A ground share with City was agreed and the following year saw the construction of a diminutive barrel roofed stand on the Edgar Street side nicknamed ‘Noah’s Ark’ and a tin roofed terrace opposite, known as the Coalshed.
The ground was originally owned by the Bulmer family, the brewers of the famous apple based alcoholic beverage, until the local council purchased the ground for £3,000 in 1931. United became sole tenants two years later when City vacated the ground and then ceased playing by the end of the decade.
At the turn of the fifties Hereford United became lease holders. They installing floodlights which were donated by local firm Painter Brothers, who specialise in constructing steel towers, their work includes the Skylon which was built for the Festival of Britain in 1951.
The floodlights were switched on for a Birmingham League fixture with Walsall Reserves in March 1953, the club illuminating their ground before many of the country’s top clubs.
The same decade also witnessed a record gate of 18,114 for an FA Cup 3rd Round tie with Sheffield Wednesday in 1958.

The club sold land on the Edgar Street side in 1968 to make way for a road widening scheme. ‘Noah’s Ark’ set sail to nearby Risbury, being used as a barn on farmland and a new cantilever stand with 1200 seats was built on the opposite side.
The Merton Stand was then extended when the club progressed in the Football League, replacing the old Cowshed terraces on each side.
The stand has a mixture of red and blue seats which includes the family section.
The club offices, hospitality, boardroom and changing rooms are underneath the stand, which can be seen through a section of windows which look more like a row of Butlins chalets. The dugouts are brick frames with benches next to a narrow opening, which is the players tunnel.
　
The old wooden grandstand was replaced with The Len Weston Stand, which was named after former benefactor and club president. The stand was built in 1974, two years after the club progressed from the Southern League, winning election to the Football League at the expense of Barrow.
The stand runs pitch length, there’s a terrace below an upper tier of black seats which gives partial shelter to those standing underneath. The terrace has concrete supporting pillars meaning a restricted view in some areas, while access to the seats is via staircases at the side of the terrace. There’s also a section put by for away supporters at the south side.
The stand is now named the Cargill Stand and when originally constructed made Edgar Street the only non top flight ground to have two cantilever stands.

Meadow End has a capacity of around 3,500 and is the home fans singing section. You can see how the ground was once used for athletics as the terrace curves round with a flat section of terracing directly behind the goal.

Opposite is a smaller covered terrace at the Blackfriars Street End, which has shown it’s age over recent years, its capacity reduced to 1,000. The terrace is currently closed after failing a health and safety inspection in the summer, but there’s plans afoot to replace the terrace with a 1,500 seated stand. The closure has reduced the current capacity to 7,100.

The line “Now Tudor’s gone down for Newcastle” may not mean an awful lot to some, but it’s been the bane on the life of myself and fellow Toon fans for over thirty years.
That sentence was spoken by the legendary John Motson, in the lead up to the equalising goal by Ronnie Radford for Hereford United in the famous FA Cup 3rd Round Replay in 1972. Cue Motty and a pitch invasion from young'uns in parkas;
“Now Tudor’s gone down for Newcastle, Radford again (slight pause)Oh what a goal! What a goal! Radford the scorer, Ronnie Radford”

That piece of commentary is etched on my brain, as it’s shown again and again on Football Focus and MotD without fail on the first Saturday in January every year .
I’ll make an honest yet bold statement “I Hate Hereford!” But hang on, before a bus load of angry cider swilling Hereford fans make their way up to Tyneside baying for my blood, I’ll make myself clearer;
I’ve got nothing against your beautiful picturesque cathedral city or Hereford United FC, it’s just the word ‘Hereford’ that I despise, it’s like a swear word but with a silent F.
Malcolm MacDonald, blamed the horrible pong from the nearby cattle market for this legendary piece of giant killing, while I personally blame that awful all red strip, Newcastle wearing red! - it just wrong on so many levels.

A few weeks ago this game would have been a case of bottom v top, but The Bulls have shown improvement winning their last two home games including an impressive win over leaders Bournemouth in midweek.
The game with Dagenham & Redbridge looked to be heading for a dour goalless draw until springing into life with two goals in the final ten minutes.
The breakthrough came courtesy of James Walker and was well worth the wait. The striker picked up the ball 20 yards from goal, turned and shot first time past the surprised Roberts in goal, who managed to get a hand to the ball, but the shot proved to be too strong.
The goal spurred Dagenham into life, as if they had settled for a point then suddenly realised they were on the verge of defeat. Their next venture forward produced the equaliser. A good run and cross from Green found the incoming Wesley Thomas who headed home from close range.
There was still time for a winner and with three minutes remaining Hereford almost snatched it. A through ball found Gwynne who managed to stay onside, but was denied by the legs of Roberts.
A draw was a fair result in the end. I was just pleased to see a goal as for long periods of the game that looked highly unlikely.
My original plan for today was to watch Gateshead play away at Grays Athletic. I managed to book a lieu day from work, which is a feat in itself and about as rare as hens teeth!
However the ever reliable Torchy, who I had booked to travel with had a prior engagement meaning the trip to Grays was abandoned. I looked at the possibility of trains to Essex but they were far too expensive and out of my financial league.
Not wanting to waste the much valued day in lieu, I managed to get some decently priced train tickets direct to Birmingham New Street. From there I had the option of Walsall or Hereford, but plumped for the latter so I could tick off another far flung ground.
An early start, catching the 7.25 to Brum giving me plenty of time to make the connection to Hereford, arriving there around lunch time.
Hereford train station is nicely placed in the town centre, only ten minutes from the football ground with plenty of pubs on route to the match.
I predictably starting in the nearby Wetherspoons - The King Fee and then on to the recommended pubs; The Victory which is also the base of the Spinning Dog Brewery and the excellent Barrells, both pubs situated on the same road in St Owens Street.
I even made time to visit the Cathedral before the match, but unfortunately was unable to gain access, as it was pre-booked for another gig!
An enjoyable day out in Herefordshire, where I managed to avoid having to tell anyone of the League club I support, thus avoiding having to be reminded of that fateful day in F’Hereford in 1972.

HUFC 1(Walker 80) D&R (Thomas 83)

att.2253

admission £13

Programme £2.50


Bevvy Almanac - Decent Beer and No Bull

Ground no.229 - Matchday Web album

(19 pictures)