Jesse Norman, MP, says hindsight is of no use to Bulls now (From Hereford Times)

Jesse Norman, MP, says hindsight is of no use to Bulls now

3:00pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012 in Letters

LIKE all those standing in the Meadow End and around Edgar Street at 4.45pm on May 5, I am pretty gutted by Hereford United’s relegation from the Football League.

It seems like only yesterday that we were outside the Town Hall celebrating their promotion to Division One.

It would be very easy to speculate on what might have happened if the Bulls had rediscovered the scoring touch of the Crawley and Torquay games earlier in the season. But hindsight is of no use in football, and what’s done is done.

Instead, I would urge everyone to look forward and do all they can to get behind David Keyte and the rest of the board as they regroup and rebuild.

David and others have invested heavily in the football club, and they should be applauded for this.

Development of the Blackfriars and Meadow End stands will, in time, give the club more financial muscle to invest in the team. Yes, we need better performances on the pitch. But they will only come with strong, long-term support, stability and leadership.

As many supporters already know, relegation will cost the club substantial amounts next year in lost revenue from sponsorship and grants. This will undoubtedly be a financially testing time for the club, especially over the summer months when there is no gate income.

These are not easy times. But whether it’s by sponsoring a player, getting a season ticket or buying a shirt, as far as possible we need to show Hereford United our support in future months, so the club can field a competitive team for the coming season.

JESSE NORMAN MP, House of Commons.