As an exile I can tell you that people outside of Hereford still think Hereford United exists.
Why change the name back to Hereford United?
Well because many supporters were deeply wounded and still feel wounded by the loss of the name. However, it is a wound that could easily be healed. I don’t think too many people who prefer not to revert to the name would be deeply wounded, if the name United was re-instated. Getting the name back in its rightful place will make the majority of supporters feel that justice has been done and we can move forward. If we don’t change it back the name issue will fester and foster resentment for years to come.
Furthermore, getting the name back makes a great media story, especially as we are approaching the 50th Anniversary of the world famous FA Cup victory of 5th February 1972.
Again, as an exile, I can assure you that even today that any mention of football and Hereford in the same sentence, Ronnie Radford’s goal will become part of the conversation, even by people born some 20 years after the event.
The current Hereford Football Club need to capitalise on this 50th Anniversary. To have the name United back to coincide with 50th Anniversary will make an excellent TV and media story. If the Hereford fans who carried on when all but hope was gone and supported the Edgar St football club were to win back their historic name it would be another great story of football Giant Killing, in itself.
If accomplished it is something that every Hereford supporter should feel immensely proud of. The time is right. The time is now.
I can remember standing in the Meadow End singing with hundreds of others, “We Are The Famous United FC.” and we were a famous United and we can again be a famous United again. We will be famous for being the fans who fought back to have our name Hereford United. If we get the name Hereford United back and we get a home FA Cup match, the BBC will be all over Edgar St and yet again Ronnie Radford and Ricky George’s goals will be broadcast to millions.
Just imagine how proud the supporters will feel, in the not too distant future, when the home team wearing black and white at Edgar St, come on to the pitch for the first time in years, to the fervent chants of United, United, United… Imagine how proud we would feel if, in the not too distant future, Hereford United were back in the Football League.
Let’s not let these golden opportunities just fritter away. The time is right. The time is now.
Chris Hare
#BringBackUnited
