HEREFORD FC have paid tribute to former striker Albert Derrick who spent six seasons playing at Edgar Street.

Albert Derrick has died aged 82 in Newport.

Derrick played for Hereford United between the 1963/4 season and 1968/69.

During this time he made 291 appearances scoring 129 goals making him a firm favourite amongst fans.

Club historian Ron Parrott told the club's website:

"An ex-Army man, Albert arrived at Edgar Street in February 1963, having been signed from Cambridge City by that most astute of managers, Bob Dennison.

"Albert had played for Cambridge against United in the previous game and although he didn’t score, he impressed Dennison profoundly.

"Although Albert failed to save United from relegation for the first time in their history, he broke all records in 1964/65 with a magnificent tally of 43 goals, as Hereford won their league with a record number of goals and a record number of points.

"I was aged 13 when he arrived at Edgar Street and lived in awe of him!

"Playing football in the playground, most kids wanted to be Dennis Law or George Best but not me, I wanted to be Albert Derrick. He was my absolute hero and could do no wrong!

"On the pitch, Albert was not the tallest of men but he confounded the experts and scored a significant number of goals with his head.

"Albert would run through a brick wall for you, he had pace off the mark and most of all, he possessed the sweetest left foot you would ever wish to see.

"He remained at Edgar Street for six seasons and scored a remarkable 129 goals at a strike rate of 45% before the travelling to Hereford for training and matches three times a week, became too much for him and he returned to Newport County."