League 1 will be a big challenge for Turner's men
11:37pm Saturday 26th April 2008
FOR the first time in a generation, Hereford United fans can look forward to seeing their team test their mettle in League 1.
When the Bulls were relegated from the old Division 3 at the end of the 1977-8 season, it was with a record which boasted not a single away win and just six goals scored away from home.
The contrast in those figures could hardly be greater than with this glorious campaign which has seen an incredible 15 away victories for a side which has been scoring goals for fun.
The reward is one which Bulls fans can truly savour.
There is the prospect of visiting some big clubs. Either Leeds or Nottingham Forest, or perhaps both, will be meeting the Bulls on a level playing field next season.
A Championship giant – either Southampton, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry, will be joining them.
There is the prospect of re-kindling rivalry with those old friends from the Southern League and the Conference, Yeovil Town.
Cheltenham Town, assuming they can avoid the drop on the last Saturday of the season, will be welcome derby opponents.
And they will not be the only ones with local clashes in prospect against Bristol Rovers, Swindon Town and Walsall – and Tranmere Rovers, who were among the clutch of League 1 sides seen off by the Bulls in cup competition this season, not too far away, either.
And what does all this mean for the club?
Attendances, which have been – on the whole – a little disappointing this season, should receive a boost from greater followings from away fans.
Certainly, the local derby matches should ensure four-figure gatherings in the away enclosure. And some of the others may, too.
Hand-outs from the League will also be greater – while League 2 clubs share 8% of the total handout from the Football League, League 1 outfits share 12%. United will need to take one further step up to get a share of the massive 80% distributed among Championship clubs.
Out of this, though, will – of necessity – come greater salaries for the players, although few would dispute that, after the season they have given the fans, they deserve it.
Graham Turner will, however, hopefully still continue to work his miracles on the pitch.
At the start of the campaign, when the squad of fewer than 10 players reported for the first day of pre-season training, not many fans would have backed the Bulls for anything more than a season of attrition.
But Turner’s skilful use of the transfer market and, in particular, the loan system, has brought huge dividends.
Hopefully, with League 1 football on offer he can persuade Premiership and Championship managers that more of their talented youngsters would benefit from the Edgar Street experience.
But all that is in the future.
Saturday against Grimsby Town should be the biggest party seen at Edgar Street for more than 30 years.
Let’s hope a full house will pack in to pay Turner, his board, backroom staff and players the tribute they deserve.