Hereford'S epic cup run was a watershed in the life of a Swindon factory worker who hit the big time just four months after it finished.

It was a sensational period for exciting winger Dudley Tyler who had an operation at the age of 15 to repair a hole in his heart.

Tyler was signed by West Ham United in June 1972 for £25,000 - a record fee paid for a non-league player - after his performances against the Hammers four months previously caught the eye of Ron Greenwood, a future England manager.

But thousands of Hereford supporters will never forget the winning goal that Tyler scored against Northampton Town nor his inspirational displays on the wing against Newcastle.

"The goal against Northampton on a cold, wet night at the Hawthorns certainly sticks in my mind. Billy Meadows knocked the ball in and it was a three-way race between me, Phil Neal, who went on to play for Liverpool, and the goalkeeper," said Tyler, now 57.

"Fortunately, I got to the ball first and knocked it into an empty net from the edge of the box. I remember finishing on my back and in the mud."

Tyler also had a hand in Ricky George's winning strike in the memorable win against Newcastle.

"I always say that it was my intention to cross to Ricky, although some people believe I myself was trying to shoot," he said.

Sadly, Tyler suffered a broken collarbone in his first season at West Ham and he struggled to break into the first team the following season.

He later returned to Edgar Street for £15,000 and has lived in the city since 1983.

Tyler concluded: "Hereford's cup exploits changed my life in a big way. Many of us were working in 9 till 5 jobs and were only going to Hereford to play football. But all the exposure from the national and local media, and the success, played a major part in my decision to turn professional."