HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling and his assistant Steve Burr have signed a two-year contract with the club.

Gowling, in his first year of management, alongside Burr have taken Hereford to the FA Trophy final.

RELATED NEWS:

Bulls chairman Rob Crawford said that the agreement will give the club a great chance to continue to progress over the coming seasons.

“Both Josh and Steve have done a tremendous job in difficult circumstances and we feel that they thoroughly deserve the chance to continue to help move the club forward over the next two seasons," said Crawford.

“They have implemented a style of football that is entertaining to watch and one that the fans have really got behind, they have also recruited extremely well, bringing in players who are committed to the cause."

Gowling played for Hereford United on loan from Carlisle earlier in his playing career.

He also played for clubs including Bournemouth, Gillingham, Kidderminster Harriers and Grimsby Town amongst others.

The defender signed for Hereford FC in December 2018 and helped keep them in National League North in his first season.

After the departure of Russell Slade last season Gowling was given the manager role on an interim basis and appointed Burr as his assistant before the season was curtailed.

Last summer he was given the role on a permanent basis.

Speaking to the official Hereford FC website, Gowling said: “My plans since I came in were to try and rebuild the club and take it back to where it needs to be.

“I’m really pleased that the board have backed me, we’ve got a similar vision, and I’m pleased we’ve got it [the contract] over the line and now we can concentrate on the final and then the future of the football club.

“I know there will be big crowds here (at Edgar Street) next season and we want to improve on this season next year in the league, we know if we do that then the fans will be here in their masses, so we can’t wait to get going."

Gowling was also pleased that he has been able to keep assistant manager Burr alongside him.

He added: “I had a long chat to Steve [Burr] about things, I wanted someone alongside me who I can trust and who believes in what I want to do.

"I’m really pleased that he wants to stay with me and the football club.”

Burr has had an extensive playing and managing career.

He added: “It’s nice for the chairman and the board to back us in the way they have in asking us to commit to two seasons with the club.

“I know what the gaffer’s like, he wants to kick on and so do I. We want everyone who comes through the door to improve us.”