1976–77 Hereford United F.C. season
1976–77 season | |
---|---|
Chairman | Frank Miles |
Manager | John Sillett |
Stadium | Edgar Street |
Division Two | 22nd |
League Cup | First round |
FA Cup | Fourth round |
Top goalscorer | League: Dixie McNeil (16) All: Dixie McNeil (18) |
Highest home attendance | 13,891 v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Division Two, 2 October 1976 |
Lowest home attendance | 4448 v Carlisle United, Division Two, 4 May 1977 |
Average home league attendance | 7239 |
Biggest win | 3–0 v Burnley (H), Division Two, 4 September 1976 |
Biggest defeat | 1–6 v Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Division Two, 2 October 1976 |
The 1976–77 season was the 47th season of competitive football played by Hereford United Football Club and their fifth in the Football League. Following promotion as champions of Division Three the previous season, the club competed in Division Two, as well as the League Cup and FA Cup.
Summary
[edit]Hereford's rapid progress up the Football League was halted as they made an immediate return to Division Three, becoming the first team ever to finish bottom of Division Two having been promoted as Third Division champions the previous season.
After a promising start which saw only one point dropped in the first three matches, Hereford's form nosedived as it became clear that most other clubs possessed greater strength in depth and players more suited to the demands of Second Division football. This was amply demonstrated by successive matches in the autumn when Hereford were beaten 4–1 at Fulham by a team containing Bobby Moore, Rodney Marsh and George Best, then thrashed 6–1 at home a week later by a Wolverhampton Wanderers side containing the likes of Steve Kindon, Kenny Hibbitt, Alan Sunderland and Bobby Gould.
A late rally (four wins and only one defeat from the final nine matches) proved to be too little, too late and relegation was confirmed following a goalless draw against Carlisle United with three matches still to play.[1]
Squad
[edit]Players who made one appearance or more for Hereford United F.C. during the 1976-77 season
Pos. | Nat. | Name | League | League Cup | FA Cup | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
GK | ![]() |
Kevin Charlton | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
GK | ![]() |
Tommy Hughes | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
Phil Burrows | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
Tony Byrne | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
Steve Emery | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
John Galley | 20(3) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 22(4) | 2 |
DF | ![]() |
Derek Jefferson | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
John Layton | 28 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 4 |
DF | ![]() |
Julian Marshall | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
Chris Price | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
Steve Ritchie | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 1 |
DF | ![]() |
Billy Tucker | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
MF | ![]() |
Les Briley | 33(1) | 1 | 0(1) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 35(2) | 2 |
MF | ![]() |
Roy Carter | 18(6) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20(6) | 3 |
MF | ![]() |
Jimmy Lindsay | 33 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 4 |
MF | ![]() |
Barry Lloyd | 12(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13(2) | 0 |
MF | ![]() |
Terry Paine | 26(1) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30(1) | 3 |
MF | ![]() |
Alan Peters | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
MF | ![]() |
Brian Preece | 3(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3(1) | 0 |
MF | ![]() |
Kevin Sheedy | 13(3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13(3) | 1 |
MF | ![]() |
Peter Spiring | 32(6) | 9 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 36(6) | 10 |
MF | ![]() |
Dudley Tyler | 4(2) | 0 | 0(1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4(3) | 1 |
MF | ![]() |
Shane Walker | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
FW | ![]() |
Jimmy Coughlin (on loan from Albion Rovers) | 1(1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(1) | 1 |
FW | ![]() |
Steve Crompton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
FW | ![]() |
Steve Davey | 31 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 9 |
FW | ![]() |
Gary Goodchild | 1(3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2(3) | 0 |
FW | ![]() |
Dixie McNeil | 37 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 18 |
FW | ![]() |
Colin Sinclair | 7(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7(2) | 0 |
League table
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
18 | Cardiff City | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 56 | 67 | −11 | 34 | Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round |
19 | Orient | 42 | 9 | 16 | 17 | 37 | 55 | −18 | 34 | |
20 | Carlisle United (R) | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 49 | 75 | −26 | 34 | Relegation to the Third Division |
21 | Plymouth Argyle (R) | 42 | 8 | 16 | 18 | 46 | 65 | −19 | 32 | |
22 | Hereford United (R) | 42 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 57 | 78 | −21 | 31 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(R) Relegated
Results
[edit]Second Division
[edit]21 August 1976 1 | Hereford United | 1–0 | Hull City | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 7323 |
28 August 1976 2 | Sheffield United | 1–1 | Hereford United | Sheffield |
Guthrie ![]() |
Carter ![]() |
Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 15,087 |
4 September 1976 3 | Hereford United | 3–0 | Burnley | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 9543 |
11 September 1976 4 | Nottingham Forest | 4–3 | Hereford United | Nottingham |
Butlin ![]() Bowyer ![]() Robertson ![]() |
McNeil ![]() Spiring ![]() |
Stadium: City Ground Attendance: 12,081 |
14 September 1976 5 | Carlisle United | 2–2 | Hereford United | Carlisle |
Martin ![]() Rafferty ![]() |
Spiring ![]() Layton ![]() |
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 7371 |
18 September 1976 6 | Hereford United | 1–2 | Charlton Athletic | Hereford |
Lindsay ![]() |
Flanagan ![]() Hales ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 8723 |
25 September 1976 7 | Fulham | 4–1 | Hereford United | London |
Slough ![]() Evanson ![]() Marsh ![]() |
Howe ![]() |
Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 18,935 |
2 October 1976 8 | Hereford United | 1–6 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() |
Sunderland ![]() Kindon ![]() Gould ![]() Carr ![]() Daley ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 13,891 |
9 October 1976 9 | Luton Town | 2–0 | Hereford United | Luton |
Husband ![]() P. Futcher ![]() |
Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 9395 |
16 October 1976 10 | Southampton | 1–0 | Hereford United | Southampton |
Holmes ![]() |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 24,910 |
23 October 1976 11 | Hereford United | 1–4 | Notts County | Hereford |
Spiring ![]() |
Sims ![]() Needham ![]() Busby ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 7462 |
30 October 1976 12 | Millwall | 4–2 | Hereford United | London |
Brisley ![]() Seasman ![]() Lee ![]() Shanahan ![]() |
Davey ![]() Spiring ![]() |
Stadium: The Den Attendance: 8685 |
6 November 1976 13 | Hereford United | 2–2 | Chelsea | Hereford |
Ritchie ![]() Layton ![]() |
Finnieston ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 12,528 |
13 November 1976 14 | Bristol Rovers | 2–3 | Hereford United | Bristol |
Warboys ![]() Bannister ![]() |
Spiring ![]() Davey ![]() |
Stadium: Eastville Attendance: 8485 |
20 November 1976 15 | Hereford United | 0–0 | Oldham Athletic | Hereford |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 7997 |
27 November 1976 16 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–0 | Hereford United | Blackburn |
Wagstaffe ![]() |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 9090 |
15 December 1976 17 | Hereford United | 3–3 | Bolton Wanderers | Hereford |
Davey ![]() McNeil ![]() |
Whatmore ![]() Allardyce ![]() Greaves ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 5052 |
18 December 1976 18 | Hereford United | 2–3 | Orient | Hereford |
Lindsay ![]() Galley ![]() |
Whittle ![]() Bennett ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 5640 |
27 December 1976 19 | Cardiff City | 3–1 | Hereford United | Cardiff |
Giles ![]() Evans ![]() |
Paine ![]() |
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 14,465 |
1 January 1977 20 | Chelsea | 5–1 | Hereford United | London |
Swain ![]() Stanley ![]() R. Wilkins ![]() Finnieston ![]() |
Paine ![]() |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 27,720 |
22 January 1977 21 | Hull City | 1–1 | Hereford United | Hull |
Sunley ![]() |
Davey ![]() |
Stadium: Boothferry Park Attendance: 7819 |
9 February 1977 22 | Hereford United | 1–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Hereford |
Layton ![]() |
Hall ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 5002 |
12 February 1977 23 | Burnley | 1–1 | Hereford United | Burnley |
Noble ![]() |
Newton ![]() |
Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 8467 |
14 February 1977 24 | Blackpool | 2–1 | Hereford United | Blackpool |
Walsh ![]() |
Galley ![]() |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 8535 |
25 February 1977 25 | Charlton Athletic | 1–1 | Hereford United | London |
McAuley ![]() |
Spiring ![]() |
Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 8704 |
2 March 1977 26 | Hereford United | 0–1 | Nottingham Forest | Hereford |
Curran ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 7503 |
5 March 1977 27 | Hereford United | 1–0 | Fulham | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 6590 |
12 March 1977 28 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–1 | Hereford United | Wolverhampton |
Todd ![]() Hibbitt ![]() |
Briley ![]() |
Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 22,992 |
19 March 1977 29 | Hereford United | 0–1 | Luton Town | Hereford |
R. Futcher ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 6737 |
23 March 1977 30 | Hereford United | 2–2 | Sheffield United | Hereford |
Davey ![]() Carter ![]() |
Edwards ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 5504 |
1 April 1977 31 | Notts County | 3–2 | Hereford United | Nottingham |
Bradd ![]() Scanlon ![]() |
Davey ![]() Coughlin ![]() |
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 8080 |
6 April 1977 32 | Hereford United | 2–2 | Cardiff City | Hereford |
Layton ![]() Spiring ![]() |
Sayer ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 7672 |
9 April 1977 33 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–1 | Hereford United | Plymouth |
Bannister ![]() |
Davey ![]() |
Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 9787 |
11 April 1977 34 | Hereford United | 1–1 | Bristol Rovers | Hereford |
Paine ![]() |
Powell ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 7195 |
16 April 1977 35 | Oldham Athletic | 3–5 | Hereford United | Oldham |
Whittle ![]() Shaw ![]() Robins ![]() |
McNeil ![]() Spiring ![]() Hicks ![]() |
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 7733 |
20 April 1977 36 | Hereford United | 3–1 | Millwall | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() Sheedy ![]() |
Alexander ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 4837 |
23 April 1977 37 | Hereford United | 1–0 | Blackburn Rovers | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 5853 |
30 April 1977 38 | Bolton Wanderers | 3–1 | Hereford United | Bolton |
Hughes ![]() Allardyce ![]() Taylor ![]() |
Carter ![]() |
Stadium: Burnden Park Attendance: 18,874 |
4 May 1977 39 | Hereford United | 0–0 | Carlisle United | Hereford |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 4448 |
7 May 1977 40 | Hereford United | 1–1 | Blackpool | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() |
Finnigan ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 5312 |
11 May 1977 41 | Hereford United | 2–0 | Southampton | Hereford |
Lindsay ![]() McNeil ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 6886 |
14 May 1977 42 | Orient | 1–1 | Hereford United | London |
Roffey ![]() |
Lindsay ![]() |
Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 4956 |
League Cup
[edit]14 August 1976 First round first leg | Chester | 2–0 | Hereford United | Chester |
Crossley ![]() Draper ![]() |
Stadium: Sealand Road Attendance: 3866 |
18 August 1976 First round second leg | Hereford United | 4–3 | Chester | Hereford |
McNeil ![]() Spiring ![]() Tyler ![]() |
Draper ![]() Crossley ![]() Paine ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 5028 |
FA Cup
[edit]8 January 1977 Third round | Hereford United | 1–0 | Reading | Hereford |
Briley ![]() |
Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 7401 |
29 January 1977 Fourth round | Middlesbrough | 4–0 | Hereford United | Middlesbrough |
Souness ![]() Armstrong ![]() Willey ![]() |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 25,000 |
References
[edit]- ^ Parrott 1998, pp. 38–42
- ^ Parrott 1998, p. 197
- ^ Rothmans 1977-78, pp. 205–206
- ^ Parrott 1998, pp. 192–195
- ^ Rothmans 1977-78, p. 204
- ^ a b Parrott 1998, pp. 196
- ^ Rothmans 1977-78, pp. 496–498
- ^ Rothmans 1977-78, pp. 480–483
- Bibliography
- Parrott, Ron (1998). Hereford United: The League Era - A Complete Record. Desert Island Books. ISBN 1-874287-18-X.
- Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977-78 (Editor: Peter Dunk). Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0354-09018-6.