Following yesterday’s announcement that Bulls supporters have pushed the Squad Builder total past an amazing £30,000 (which will be match funded by our Founding Shareholders), Hereford FC Chairman, Chris Ammonds, has expressed his sincere gratitude for the incredible support fans have offered the club so far this close season.
He said:
“I’m beginning to feel like a broken record, but once again I just want to place on record my thanks to our supporters for the extraordinary way they have backed the club since the 2023/24 season ended. To have sold more than 1100 season tickets by early June is amazing and to see our newly launched membership scheme moving past 175 sign ups is also absolutely brilliant.
“When you add to that the £30,000 already donated to Squad Builder 24/25 by 180 generous individuals, you really do get another reminder what a remarkable fanbase we have.
“Everyone at Edgar Street understands how tough it is financially for many people at the moment, so to see that fans are still willing to carry on backing the club really is heartwarming. It motivates us all to continue to do all we can to drive our club forward positively, because that is exactly what you all deserve.
“If fans can continue to help us through contributions to Squad Builder and by supporting other club initiatives, I genuinely believe that the collective work being done, and spirit being shown, gives us a great chance of having another season we can all enjoy in 2024/25.”
The Bulls Chairman, then went on to talk about some of the challenges the club is facing when competing for players this summer.
“As a Board, we never stop looking at ways we can increase the club’s income and our fantastic staff continue to go above and beyond their day-to-day duties on behalf of us supporters.
“We are a club that has to live within its means and we cannot repeat the mistakes of the past by spending money that we do not have, or spending money rashly before we actually have it. Some clubs may be willing to take chances with their finances in the hope of getting away with it in the short-term, but that is not something I am willing to do at a club that is so precious to everyone.
“We also do not have an individual benefactor who is willing to cover significant losses season after season. There are clubs at our level – and below – who do have individuals happy to do that and they will often be able to offer more money to players than we can. That is a fact of life, one that Paul alluded to in his recent update, but it is one I’m at ease with. It’s frustrating don’t get me wrong, but if another club can offer a player £100 or £200 more a week than we are comfortable with budget wise because they have private backing, so be it.
“What I can say to our fans is that we will continue to try to make every single penny possible available to our manager for his playing squad, just as long as it is not taking irresponsible risks with our club’s long-term future. I hope fans know me well enough by now to be confident that I want nothing more than a successful Hereford team on the field every week and for our club to reach the highest level it possibly can.
“However, we must never forget that just over 12 months ago we were in a potentially grave situation and that without the hard work of many, many people – particularly Paul, his staff and the players – and the fantastic support we have, we would not now be looking forward so positively.
“While it has been a little quieter in terms of signings in the past week or so, I know our manager continues to work incredibly hard to add to his squad. One of the things I admire most about Paul is that he will not rush into signings for the sake of it, and that he is very clear that he only wants players that he is extremely confident are right for our club.
“He values this club as much as we do and it’s important that we all remain patient as he diligently works to find more players he feels will fit into the squad, both on and off the field. While the 2024/25 season is definitely getting closer and closer, there is still plenty of time to add to the quality we already have and with new options presenting themselves all the time, we just have to trust Paul to continue to get things right.
“Finally, and just to repeat myself once again, on behalf of everyone at Edgar Street I want to say a massive ‘thank you’ to each and every Bulls fan for the loyalty and love you have for our club. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise, but I have to say that this close season you really are surpassing yourselves. Come on you Whites!”
