Hi All,

As promised, I want to keep you in the loop across the close season and during the couple of weeks that have passed since I last provided an update, we have had a few new additions.

After the signing of Chay Tilt at the end of May, we have since gone on and signed a couple more. Aaron Chapman is a giant of a keeper who will bring us presence but also huge experience. His biggest asset won’t be his height – as much as it will be beneficial to us – but Aaron brings a wealth of experience. He has played EFL football and won league titles which is full credit to him. We had to fight off a lot of interest in Aaron, but thankfully Aaron chose football opportunities rather than better financial offers so straight away he has shown a desire to play for our club.

We then signed Cosmos Matwasa, who will provide us with sheer pace and power. He is another player who wanted to come and play at a proper football club, in front of proper supporters and we know you will enjoy watching his all action performances. He is a player I am really pleased we managed to get over the line.

In the last few days, we have signed sought-after striker Montel Gibson. Montel is a player I have spoken to before – at the beginning of last season – but the time wasn’t quite right for both parties. Since then Montel and I spoke a few weeks ago and it was very evident Montel wanted to sign for us.

He was motivated by the supporters and what my staff and I are trying to do off and on the pitch and drive those professional standards. Montel is a goalscorer first and foremost, but he also brings a whole different dimension to our team with his hold up play and bringing players into the game. A really top signing for us who had interest from step 1, 2 and 3, all of which were better offers. Montel chose the right offer for him, not the best one financially and we are so pleased he’s joined our group.

I have to be honest, as I always try and do, and admit if it wasn’t for the supporters – and in particular the Squad Builder – we simply wouldn’t been able to have signed any of the players. There are a lot of areas at our football club that we aren’t quite there yet to compete with the full-time clubs and the clubs who are individually financed, however, that is life and we do have things no amount of money can buy. We have a core group of players who want to play for the club first and foremost and the reason for this is because they see the season ticket sales and the average attendances sky rocketing last season. They also see what my staff and I are trying to do behind the scenes.

Money can’t buy professionalism and standards, and it definitely can’t buy supporters, so we should be proud as a club that we may not be in and around there when it comes to battling it out for big money deals, but what I would say is if you are counting Hereford FC out based on solely finances then you are not for us. We want players who want to play for the club – that’s what we had last season and that’s what we will continue to have this season. Again, a huge thanks for the Squad Builder contributions. We are under no illusions we are still very light in areas and need to strengthen, so the continued support with that will make a huge difference.

The players will return for pre-season training on Tuesday 25th June and we are pleased that we have managed to keep our training base in Studley to which we thank Darryl Eales and his team at Solihull Moors for allowing us to continue that strong relationship.

I know everyone’s hopes are for a training base to be in and around Hereford and one day for the club to be full-time, but for now the best place for us is Studley due to the logistics and ability to attract players in and around that area. With that in mind, we do try our best to bring the community closer to the players and this season I have made the decision that the first Saturday in pre-season (Saturday 29th June) the players will be in Hereford going through a tough training session. I apologise it’s not every week we can do that, but also it’s an appreciation of us as a group of players and staff to you for your support and us trying to find ways to bridge the gap between Hereford FC and the community of Herefordshire.

Finally, a huge thanks as always for those who have contributed in any way they possibly can whether that be the membership scheme, season tickets or Squad Builder. It really does make a difference and I thank you personally for your help. I look forward to seeing you all very soon back at Edgar Street.

Take care,

Paul Caddis