Sittingbourne v Peacehaven & Telscombe 190316

By: Steve Coney
IF you had gone into a coma three years ago
and woken up recently just before the FA Vase
semi-final draw, you’d have been asking a lot of
questions.
How exactly did Hereford United and Salisbury
City fall so much that they’re now competing in
a competition for clubs at Step 5, 6 and 7?
Of course, the two clubs matched in the Vase
semi-final were Hereford FC and Salisbury FC,
not United and City, and they face off in the first
leg at Edgar Street on Saturday.
The pair themselves went into somewhat of a
coma after terrible mismanagement meant we
lost two great Non-League names.
With so many phoenix clubs successfully
fighting back in recent times, there was hope
that Hereford and Salisbury would be supporting
ambitious clubs once more.
Not surprisingly, as I write this, Hereford are top
of the Midland League Premier and Salisbury
are at the Wessex League Premier summit.
Of course with any story like this, some people
are supportive and others scoff at it. The reaction
to the pair drawing each other in the semifinal
was mixed.
Some were pleased they wouldn’t be meeting
in the final against either Morpeth Town or
Bowers & Pitsea while others weren’t happy
that clubs of their size were at this stage, taking
up a slot that could have gone to a ‘proper’
Step 5 or 6 club.
Just a few years back when Sholing won the
Vase after taking voluntary relegation from the
Southern League the season before, they were
criticised for their decision with some even
claiming they did it as they planned to win the
Vase.
If only it was that easy! The Vase is the most
unpredictable and difficult FA competition so to
win it is a fantastic achievement, regardless of
the club’s size. Success often attracts detractors.
I followed and reported on the slow demise of
Hereford United. The club was a farce towards
the end of its life and from my first conversation
with Hereford FC chairman Jon Hale, you could
tell he had the passion and the plan.
Ian Ridley has helped spearhead Salisbury FC
and both clubs are being run by the right people
- what’s there to dislike about that?
Two weeks ago we had a brilliant column in
The NLP from Bulls great Ricky George, who
scored arguably Hereford’s most important goal
ever as they beat Newcastle United in the FA
Cup third round in 1972 - one of the biggest upsets
ever.
George still loves the Bulls and said: “The
words of the club’s motto, ‘our greatest glory
lies not in never having fallen but rising when
we fall’, would never be more appropriate than
now.
“Credit goes to every single person who has
helped in the emotional re-birth of the Bulls, but
the ghosts of the Giant Killers and the hallowed
Meadow End at Edgar Street where the two
goals against Newcastle were scored, will forever
play a part in uniting the supporters of this
famous old club.”
Salisbury City’s recent past was littered with
difficulties and problems but happier times have
arrived under the management of Steve
Claridge.
Vice-chairman Ridley said: “Both Hereford United
and Salisbury City were failing clubs who let
a lot of creditors down, including in City’s case,
plenty of unfortunate season ticket holders
whose money they still took as the club was
going under.
“We have paid a price, believe me. A lot of people
and companies were sceptical about the
club and would not touch it again. It had been a
hard sell this season at times, particularly early
on.
“We’ll suffer the odd barb with a smile, I hope.
They will matter not when our wonderful Whites
- we’ll be in blue, actually - step out at Edgar
Street. Such moments make all the heartache
and hassle in running a club worthwhile.”
Whatever your views on both clubs, Hereford
and Salisbury are back in good hands and
making some more history - surely that’s only
good for Non-League?