Hello all,

Since my last update, a lot has happened. One thing that remains is the honesty and work ethic of our players. Before I took over and I’ve said many times off the pitch I wanted to rebuild the most important part of any football club whether that be an established Premier League club or a step 4 club in Non-League, and that is the relationship between the pitch and the stands.

We have accomplished that together as one big Hereford FC family. On the pitch I was made aware after doing a lot more deep digging into last season and beyond the club had very rarely come from a losing position to rescue many points. We have now come from behind in 9 games this season to either win or draw.

To have a group of players who don’t give in is the absolute minimum we demand as staff because I expect that’s what you demand from your manager of your football club. I use the term ‘your’ in a strong way because this is your football club and you deserve an insight and openness of how we are operating. We are not funded by any individual so it’s vitally important you are kept up to date on the workings of your football club to which the Chairman and general manager do regularly with their updates.

Firstly, thank you as always for your support. Andy Williams hit the nail on the head last night in his post match interview, on a Wednesday night in what has been a truly rubbish few years with the cost of living going up ridiculously and for you to spend your hard earned money to come in your numbers up and down the country and win lose or draw show us you are right behind us means more than you can possibly imagine.

Players and supporters have a unique relationship at times with the players understanding it’s our duty to try and get supporters off their seat and enjoying the football they see but also supporters have a part to play and the best supporters recognise when the players need you. Last night when we went down to 9 men the reaction of our support was exceptional. We were suffering at times there is no doubt, as is normal regardless of opposition with 2 men less, and you recognised that and let out a huge roar of support for our players and I guarantee you that was exactly what those boys needed. As a group of players and management staff thank you for helping us get over the line last night and of course many other occasions this season.

Behind the scenes the work that goes on is endless and huge credit to the everyday working staff at the club for helping secure more tickets initially for the Banbury fixture. It would and could have been easy for the staff to accept what Banbury had offered us but they went above and beyond and pressed continuously to get more tickets for you. The Chairman, Board of Directors and voluntary team are working as hard as possible to provide us the best opportunity to be sustainable alongside a competitive team on the pitch. The Junior Bulls team do a great job in giving the future fan base of the club the best experience on a matchday and we hope that encourages these young kids to come and support their club for many years. Your football club finds itself in a much better place than what it did this time last season that’s for sure.

Moving forward, 3 games to go and we are still fighting. We will continue to fight and whatever the outcome we hope we have given you a lot to be thankful for this season and the relationship to continue building. I along with my staff have worked tirelessly to build a solid foundation of work to build off and constantly improve on and I think that has been evident throughout the season. I know you’ll be with us every step of the way because that’s the type of supporters you are and as much as we all may be upset and annoyed at times we all understand the strides we are trying to make as a football club and we need you to come with us and stay positive for us.

Finally, I think it’s important we recognise the group of players we have in the dressing room. We have added a few bodies lately due to the timing of injuries and the deadline of signings. Lawson D’Ath and Dom McHale will be a huge help for us in the final few games. I want to make special mention to 3 members of my backroom staff who go above and beyond on a voluntary basis.

Shaun Edwards my GK Coach has been an integral part of our team and his contacts have been a real help. Shaun was the driving force behind Lewis Hudson joining the club. We always have regular chats between myself Adam and Shaun about players who are excelling at our level and below and Shaun identified ‘Huddy’ a while ago and since we have kept tabs on him and has been an excellent signing for us.

Dan Pace is a lifelong supporter of the club and has stepped into a new role and has embraced the opportunity and been a brilliant support for us all. Pat our analyst works tirelessly juggling a lot of part time paid jobs and university alongside the voluntary role with us and has also been an important part of the team.

Regardless of what opinion people want to have I think these 3 guys deserve huge recognition for giving up a lot of what could be hard earned paid work to come in and give us their all for zero financial gain.

I have to mention our Physio James Hughes as well who has had to deal with a lot of injuries across the season and has coped extremely well.

The lad Adam Rooney has been ok as well I suppose!! My right hand man ‘Roons’ has had to listen to my moans and groans all season and for me to have someone beside me and having my back even through the toughest times is something I will always appreciate. Management can be a lonely place when you lose but I know he’s always right there when I need him and Roons has an incredible work ethic and together we want the absolute best for our players and they are always in the forefront of our mind.

Attendances are up by over 800 per home league fixture compared to last season. The club has been forced into pressing the reset button on and off the pitch. Surpassed last seasons total points. Complete squad overhaul which no other club has had to do in the division.

Still fighting. Still there. Still believing.

Thank you and have a great few days and we will see you all in fine voice as always away to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Take Care

Paul Caddis