Talking Bull: A tribute and analysis

The best way to become a writer and journalist is to write, so that's what I've done.

Having previously written analysis and news pieces for this blog, most notably for last year's London to Paris cycle ride, I had the chance earlier this year to write a match report for Bulls News. And in recent months, I was offered the chance to start writing for Talking Bull magazine and I have since been asked to become a regular contributor. So, I now have permission to start publishing my articles on here to maintain my portfolio of writings all in one place. So what better way to start things off with TWO articles which made it into my first issue. Firstly, a tribute to former Hereford manager Peter Beadle, who in my opinion was harshly dismissed last month:

Peter Beadle: A tribute...

I'm a believer in context. I often feel we must look back at the past to better understand the present and where exactly we could go in the future. So let's try and put some back...

When Peter Beadle was the chosen one of the 42 to apply, he knew that this wasn't an easy job. He was a fan favourite having worked wonders with youth and guided us from the dotted relegation line in our *last* ever season. Yet this was a team which didn't even exist. A team with no foundations, no known support or any players. He was also entering into a tier of football he had never previously experienced and the expectations of the unexpected masses as over 4000 watched a team of unknowns play FC Utd. With a hastily assembled team, let alone a style of play to implement, after 6 games of 'mixed results' there was already a poll on a forum asking whether the ex-Spurs forward was the man to lead us forward.

But this wasn't in the spirit of the club. Peter was given time. Time to build, develop and slowly turn the club around. And when Beadle got it right, it was a true pleasure to behold. 27 games consecutively ended in joy as our village teams slowly crumbled.

I will happily admit that Beadle wasn't perfect and Wembley proved as such. Maybe in the coming months, we will be able to ask such questions but now is not the time to dwell.

Over the following 2 seasons, Beadle was in his element, bringing in new players, developing them like he did with the Youth, whilst keeping fans, board, and a core group of players happy. The numbers will show that statistically, Beadle is one of the greatest managers the Shire has ever had the pleasure to employ. And whilst Beadle did have the advantage of lower quality oppositiont, you can only play the teams against you. And when given the chance, Beadle could punch the Bulls above our weight. Wins against Eastleigh, Telford and Dagenham were as incredible as taking Fleetwood to a replay. A side full of money, confidence and club stalwarts couldn't get past the plucky bullish group of teachers, electricians and trainers.

Through the South & West and Premier, all was well. The club was turning small profits and the club's stature was growing. It therefore seems surprising that such a buoyant mood could sour quite so fast. But hints were available all summer:

The North was known before we began as a tough physical league full of full-time, ex-league clubs who knew how to win on the road. teams which could exploit our lack of experience in such a division. It then wasn't helped with Beadle publicly criticising his budget for this season, arguably the factor which lead to the loss of Mills and Haysham. The retirement of stalwart Purdie was also a great shame. Whilst none of these players were regulars throughout last season, and Mills is yet to score for Bath this season, the loss of our top goalscorer and his wingman was still a psychological blow. This therefore meant that the rebuilding of our squad this season was the biggest since reformation.

So with such a build needed, in an ideal world, time would once again be given to the man who had so far lead the club to 3 consecutive promotions, breaking numerous records and winning over fans in the process. But football is a surprisingly complicated and political game and sometimes differences of opinion can boil over. I personally feel Beadle deserved at least until Christmas considering we were only 3 points of the playoffs with a game in hand over other teams. But it has been done and the club will move onwards though whether it is upwards will only be known in the coming months.

So I will leave by simply saying thanks. Thank you Peter Beadle. thank you for exceeding all expectations, for taking us to higher levels faster than we could've imagined, for winning fans over with your exciting style of football. Thank you for taking the mighty whites to Wembley at the first time of asking, something which we couldn't achieve in our previous 90 years. Thank you for galvanising the support of fans when so many were disillusioned after your predecessor. But mostly Peter, thank you for putting Hereford back on the map and giving the city a new lease of life.

For when rising when we fall, you have made me at least, the happiest a bulls fan could be.

My second article focusses on the impact social media has on football clubs and how Hereford's social media output is depended upon by the exiles. Enjoy!

The Socia-Bulls

HFC has embraced social media to reach out beyond the Street. But is it affecting attendances?

It goes without saying that Hereford is dependent on its supporters. Unlike the Higher tiers where clubs can still make profits when playing in empty stadiums, Hereford’s main source of income is the sale of matchday and season tickets followed by commercial branding, then hospitality. And without financial backing from a majorly wealthy single benefactor, when budgeting for the season, the board estimates ticket sales to provide Peter with a pot of gold big enough to keep him happy –  at least during the season. With this in mind, you would think that much effort would be made to draw in Bulls supporters from far and wide.

In a modern age, where the Amstrad 464 is no longer on the cutting edge of mankind’s greatest achievements, the media ‘team’ are using social media to reach beyond the fields of the ‘shire. And it’s being used very well. The Facebook and Twitter pages are synced, providing not only match updates but also other off-field commercial and player news. Meanwhile, the club this season has started using Instagram more frequently, posting photos, videos and providing behind-the-scenes footage of the team on a matchday.

Even with the introduction of broadcasting blackouts and the demise of Hereford Goals, the club hasn’t abandoned its YouTube channel and still posts goal videos, highlights and interviews, often with Radio HFC commentary and footage from the Hard Cam. All this whilst the club haven’t put a paywall in for the radio or goal footage, therefore reaching out beyond to the exiled abroad and inland.

But by providing all of this for free, it may have the potential to reduce attendances. Arguably, you could say ‘why travel and pay to go through a turnstile to see what you can already see via the internet?’

I don’t think this situation will occur for a simple reason: atmosphere. Because, regardless of how you will follow the Mighty Whites - be it listening to Keith’s wise words on Hereford & Worcester or rather, Frank’s frank musings on the official channel - the level of excitement and passion can’t be felt unless your sat on your uncomfortable seat or standing awkwardly on the narrow and shallow Meadow end steps. Whilst we’re discussing the more sociable forms of media, I’ve come to notice and admire the #PassionNotFashion trend recently and this is because I feel it is a phrase that sums up the majority of non-league football as a whole – Salford and Billericay aside. I would even go as far as to say I quite enjoy having to explain why on earth I support this team I don’t live nearby and usually aren’t very good. I don’t care that Hereford is so far west of everywhere else in the country and is a pain to get to and from - especially when our form is against us. For it is being inside the ground and seeing the players in real-life which gives me the greatest satisfaction. And it’s a satisfaction that can’t be replicated.

Based on discussions with other family members, this appears to be the general consensus. The Club’s social media profile and coverage is very good substitute to lurking next to that precious field on the A49, but it will never surpass it.

So, the coverage’s main purpose therefore, is to raise the profile of the club, to engage exiled supporters in merchandise and hospitality, and to ideally create an audience big enough to interest more businesses and individuals in sponsorship or investment. This will not only ensure greater sustainability of the club and inch us closer to being a full-time, professional outfit but maybe, just maybe, keep Peter Beadle happy for a summer and content with his little pot of shiny metal.