Hereford FC Board decided on new management structure 'some time ago'

In a joint statement released by the club today they said that it was ‘unanimous in the view’ that a change of direction was needed at the club leading to the sacking of Pete Beadle.

Ahead of the Fans Forum this evening, the club’s Board said that they will be limited in terms of what they can say about the recent departure of Beadle and Steve Jenkins due to legal aspects of an employer-employee relationship.

The joint statement said: “Over the course of three fantastic seasons, Pete Beadle, working with both Bish (Matt Bishop) and subsequently Jenks (Steve Jenkins), achieved three championships and a Wembley appearance for Hereford Football Club – an exceptional performance from the management staff and their teams, aided by Jonny Evans, Roger Lloyd and Rhys Evans.

‘This success was down to the football foundations they put in place and Beads, Bish and Jenks have rightly been congratulated and lauded for putting football in Hereford firmly back on the football map.

‘Their achievements during the three-year period will never be underestimated by the club’s current Board and everyone will always be grateful for the foundations they put in place and the fabulous memories we all have from their time in charge.

‘While we are unable to discuss the specific details relating to the recent changes, we feel it is fair to explain to fans that several months ago a review panel was established to look at the club’s football strategy. The panel included people who are well qualified to advise on this subject, given they all had an intimate knowledge of football at both National League and Football League level.

‘As a Board, while we are all enthusiastic football fans, we accept that we do not have the detailed knowledge of football that people who have worked in the game do and external experts were approached to be part of the review panel.

‘As a result of that review, and the recommendations that came from the panel, it was decided that when the time was right we would implement the recommended structural changes that had been put forward.

‘Essentially, this involved moving away from the more usual non-league coaching team of a Manager and an Assistant Manager, to an experienced Head of Football working closely with a Head Coach with support from an experienced player as assistant player-coach.

‘One of the many advantages put forward by the panel was that this structure, as well as bringing a wealth of football experience, would introduce a clear separation of responsibilities, but still with a close working relationship between the two.

‘For example, having worked together to identify the type of players required, the Head of Football would have the contacts, experience and knowledge to identify and locate potential signings, as well as then taking responsibility for negotiations, dealing with agents, the pay and the contracts.

‘The two would work together in the more practical elements such as training and tactics, as well as in other areas to ensure much closer integration with the Academy and also to improve communication on football-related matters at board level with the Head of Football acting as the bridge.

‘While the decision to go down this route was made some time ago, at what point to implement it was a different matter. There was probably never going to be a ‘right’ time.

‘However, having recently spent time reviewing all the factors that needed to be considered, including the movement of players to and from the club, the management of the playing budget, training sessions, and other relevant considerations, the Board concluded, with considerable regret, that a management change was needed.

‘The Board was unanimous in the view that having secured promotion to the National League North, the players and the club itself deserved to have the best opportunity possible to be competitive at this higher level and beyond. We all firmly believe that the structure change was necessary at this point and therefore we believe this very difficult decision was made in the best long-term interests of our individual players, the team, the club, and also our Youth Academy players too.

‘As mentioned before, as there was never going to be an ideal time to implement such a change – other than perhaps waiting for the incumbent management team to move on of their own choice – we decided to act now as opposed to delaying until later in the season when it may have been too late to affect this year’s finishing position.

‘We hope supporters understand why we cannot go into specific detail about the recent departures, but we can offer complete reassurance that it was not a knee-jerk reaction based on any single thing that has occurred.

‘We do, however, understand that unless you were aware of the background that we have tried to set out in this statement, the decision will have come as a very big shock to all fans. To be perfectly clear, there was and is no ulterior motive for this move, but we recognise that we will never be able to prevent others coming up with unsubstantiated theories and allegations.

‘Every single member of the Board hopes to see Beads and Jenks back in football management very quickly if that is what they want, and we wish them every success wherever they are offered their next opportunity.

‘They leave behind a legacy at Edgar Street of which they can be justifiably proud and that will never be forgotten.’