Stanley looking forward to Edgar Street return visit

12:25pm Thursday 20th December 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

SECOND-placed Hereford begin their Christmas programme at Edgar Street on Saturday looking to enhance their League 2 promotion prospects in a tough schedule of four games in 10 days.

First in line are old Conference rivals Morecambe who have one player in their ranks who will be especially keen to derail United's promotion bandwagon.

After assisting the Bulls to beat the Shrimps in the semi-final, midfielder Craig Stanley was one of the stars of Hereford's play-off final win at the Walkers Stadium. But he almost immediately moved on to the Christie Park club whom he also helped to win promotion to the Football League back in May, becoming the first player to take part in back-to-back Conference play-off wins.

"Last time I played at Edgar Street I helped break Morecambe hearts," said Stanley. "It was my last home game for Hereford and it will be a little strange going back on Saturday.

"After Hereford won promotion I sat down with Graham Turner to talk about a new contract. But I didn't feel the offer was right so I decided to leave.

"I wanted to play in the Football League but realised that if I had to stay in the Conference it would have to be a good club.

"And that's why I came to Morecambe. I knew all about the club and it was great to win promotion in May. I obviously made the right choice.

"I am really looking forward to going back to Hereford on Saturday as a Football League player."

United will expect to have skipper Karl Broadhurst back in their squad after the former Bournemouth defender was able to resume full training at the end of last week following the ankle injury he sustained against Leeds in the FA Cup.

His return means that only defenders Robbie Threlfall and Richard Rose remain sidelined by injury.

Hereford follow up with a visit to Macclesfield Town on Boxing Day when they will be looking for their first success at Moss Rose. Last season they were beaten 3-0 following on from a 2-0 reverse in the LDV Vans Trophy in the previous campaign.

"That has not been an easy place for us to go," said Turner.

"But I feel a little different about the side now - we just have that extra structure and resilience about it now."