INTERNATIONAL call-ups for Hereford United are like buses - you wait ages for one, and then two come along at the same time.

Scott Cooksey and Gavin Williams' selection for the forthcoming England v Wales semi-professional international at Rushden and Diamonds FC on February 13 - Cooksey for England, Williams for Wales - is well merited and long overdue for the club.

Since returning to non-league soccer in 1997, Hereford have waited in vain for one of their players to be called up by their country, even though they've had several eminent candidates.

Skipper Ian Wright and his central defensive partner Tony James have been unlucky to miss out -- James is qualified for Wales -- while Wright and player-coach Phil Robinson missed out on a trial match last month because it clashed with the Bulls' LDV Vans Trophy tie with Reading.

They even had striker Neil Grayson picked to face Holland in the Bulls' first season in the Conference, only for him to be transferred to Cheltenham Town before the match was played.

Goalkeeper Cooksey, who won two caps at his former club Hednesford Town, has been rewarded for some fine displays, including six successive clean sheets at the start of the season.

Williams has benefited from a change of selection rules in Wales, who previously selected only players appearing in Welsh competitions. His excellent form up front for the Bulls made it almost inevitable he would be picked, with Director of Football Graham Turner saying: "It is recognition for a very good season."

It shouldn't be forgotten that Hereford have had a player capped at full international level, in their early days in the Football League.

Winger Brian Evans played once for Wales while on the Bulls' books, in a World Cup qualifier in Poland way back in 1973.