Magic Moments

With 11 Non League sides competing in the FA Cup this weekend, Nobes considers whether - when compared to Cup exploits of the past - the competition is still "magic."

Hereford's victory over Newcastle in 1972 has gone down in history

Maybe it's because my club are notoriously poor in it, or perhaps, as Turls so often points out, it's because I'm dead inside, but the FA Cup doesn't particularly hold much excitement for me.

Excuse me for not thinking a competition which, since the inception of the Premier League, has managed to conjure up just six different winners in 18 years is "magic."

After all, we all know what happens, when it comes to the crunch - it's the big guns who are left standing. Only once, when three Championship clubs reached the 2008 semis, has the competition had any diversity.

Of course, by then, the teams at the lower end of the ladder have long since departed - after getting far too many people overly excited and waving around ridiculous home made FA Cup cut-outs covered with tin foil. Seriously, nothing better to do with your time?

Still, before risking another broadside from Turls and, in an attempt to prove I do have something inside me, I'd thought I'd take a little time to reflect on the success of Non League sides in the oldest cup competition in the world.

Who knows, too, the likes of Swindon Supermarine, Droylsden, and Chelmsford could cause an upset of their own if things go well for them this weekend.

While those three, and other, Non League outfits will be hoping to make the back pages on Sunday however, they will be do well to go down in the history books. Giant killing just isn't what it used to be.

Any talk about Non League giant killers, inevitably, must include the names of Yeovil, Altrincham, Hereford, and Sutton United.

Yeovil, now in League One of course, claimed 20 Football League victims during their time in the Non Leagues. It's a record that's still not been beaten.

Most famously, more than 16,000 saw them eliminate top flight Sunderland in 1949 at their old Huish ground with its infamous sloping pitch.

Alty, meanwhile, have knocked out 16 League teams over the years - which is a record for a club who have exclusively played all their football outside the top four tiers of the game.

They're still the most recent Non League side to dump out a top flight side on their own patch, too - beating Birmingham in 1986 at St Andrews. The likes of Wigan and Sheffield United have also suffered at the hands of the Manchester outfit.

Indeed, there was time when Non League sides could knock out top flight clubs. Need I really mention the words "Hereford," "Newcastle," and "Radford again," again?

Yes, that infamous 1972 game at Edgar Street which earned the Bulls so much kudos it helped them gain election into the Football League. It also launched the commentary career of a certain John Motson. Some have been cursing that match ever since.

In all seriousness though, could you really envisage Newcastle losing to the likes of Conference clubs Gateshead or Bath these days? Of course not. They wouldn't even lose to Hereford - currently struggling in League Two.

Will we ever again see the like of Sutton United defeating the FA Cup winners of just two years previously - as they did when overcoming Coventry in 1989? I doubt it.

Not that Non League clubs haven't come close since. Nobody will ever forget the heroics of first Exeter and then Burton, during their respective times in the Conference, holding Manchester United to 0-0 draws.

They both lost their replays, but had caused a storm along the way - as well as raising some serious cash.

However, perhaps that's the saddest thing of all now, is the FA Cup a "magic" competition because of the results it can throw up on the pitch or for the coffers?

Money is always spoken about when it comes to the draw - getting the plum away tie in front of the biggest gate possible, and maybe getting some live TV coverage, too.

Havant & Waterlooville led at Anfield - but they ended up losing

Any serious talk of the top flight club being tumbled would see the Non League manager carted off by the men in white coats. They know it's never going to happen again.

Instead, for the intrepid 11 Non League teams who go into battle over the next few days, an FA Cup run is about pocketing as much money as they can and then returning to their league campaign.

It's cynical but, in these harsh economic times, probably an understandable point of view. Better to just accept it rather than talk of "magic" though. Yes, ITV, I'm looking at you.

Of course, I would expect any accusations of a lack of "magic" in the Cup would be vehemently denied by supporters of Havant & Waterlooville or Kettering.

The former famously led twice at Anfield against Liverpool in the fourth round of 2008 before going down 5-2. The Kettles, too, reached round four in 2009 when they gave a scare to top flight Fulham before eventually losing 4-2.

Indeed, two years ago, eight Non League outfits were still in the competition when the big boys of the Premier League and Championship entered the fray - breaking the previous record dating back 30 years.

That's where the run stopped for the likes of Blyth Spartans, Eastwood Town, Forest Green, and Histon though. Not quite as magical a cup as it once was.

The best a Non League side can do, it seems, is try and emulate Kidderminster - the last team from outside the Football League to reach the Fifth Round having seen off both Birmingham and Preston on their 1994 route.

In recent years, too, Chasetown became the lowest ranked side ever to reach the Third Round when they faced Cardiff in 2008 as a Southern League Division One Midlands team - the eighth tier of the game.

Given the right draw and a bit of luck on the day, a Non League side can upset the odds and put together a good run.

Has the gap between the haves and have nots become so large though that the real upsets - those of the like of Yeovil and Hereford - will never be seen again?

Even my own Boston United managed to write themselves into the FA Cup record books with a 6-1 win at Derby in 1955. The biggest win for a Non League side away at a League team.

Such a convincing margin would never happen in the 21st century. Certainly not courtesy of the Skyrockets anyway, after our customary October exit.

Which leads me onto a concluding thought - if a Non League side doesn't really need the money and have bigger fish to fry - namely winning promotion or avoiding relegation - is an FA Cup run really desirable?

It can lead to a pile up of games due to postponements and a huge backlog of fixtures in the second half of the campaign when injuries and suspensions begin to hit home.

Could we see the day that, like a top flight club with the League Cup, a Non League team simply throws away a FA Cup run. If it's only about getting the money, then what's the point progressing in a competition you've no real chance in?

After all, is the possibility of winning a title or promotion really worth sacrificing over chasing a day out at one of the top grounds where an inevitable defeat awaits? Could the magic die even at the lowest levels?

Something tells me that won't be occupying the thoughts of those Non League teams still competing this weekend though. History is ready and waiting to be made - and me proved wrong.

Just excuse me if I'm focusing on my bread and butter.

Up To The Mark

After an incredible few weeks at Darlington, Nobes explains why the Quakers might emerge the winners after their very own managerial merry-go-round.

New boss Mark Cooper enjoyed success in the Conference with Kettering

Three managers in thirteen days. It's the kind of record which even QPR would do well to match. Mark Cooper's appointment on a one year deal as Darlington boss brought to an end a turbulent last couple of weeks for the North East club.

Dismally relegated from the Football League at the end of last season, the Quakers were bidding to return to the big time at the first time of asking.

However, they were rocked with the sudden resignation of manager Simon Davey - who had only joined the club in March - via an email he sent from the USA.

Not so much jilted at the altar, Davey's departure was the equivalent of being dumped by text.

At the time, the former Barnsley boss cited "personal reasons" as why he left Darlo. Ten days later though, and after claiming he had been offered a role to work in the States, he turned up at League Two Hereford.

Darlington acted swiftly - appointing Davey's long time friend and assistant, Ryan Kidd, to the top job. Less than a fortnight later, and Kidd resigned his post.

Now Copper has been left to pick up the pieces of the chaos that has reigned at a club that has endured a miserable twelve months.

The Quakers came close to going out of business altogether last summer, and then boss Colin Todd was forced to construct a squad with just a couple of weeks left before the season's kick off.

He was swiftly replaced by Steve Staunton - with Darlo struggling at the foot of League Two and staring relegation in the face. It was a fight Staunton never looked like winning, and he was eventually dismissed.

Now, back in the Non Leagues for the first time in 20 years, Darlington will hope Cooper will be able to bring some much needed stability - as well as results on the pitch.

Ironically, even after the tumultuous month at their impressive Arena ground, Cooper's arrival may actually be the golden sky after a long and depressing storm.

Simon Davey's reign as Darlington manager lasted for just 77 days

His record in the Conference is impressive. In his first job, at Tamworth, he managed to keep the Lambs in the division, as well as earning them good revenue from an impressive FA Cup run.

He next turned up at Kettering Town, where he led the Kettles to the Conference North title in his first season. An 8th placed finish on their return to Non League's top flight - as well as another good cup run - cemented his good work.

A strong start to last season eventually saw him poached by Championship side Peterborough. It proved too big a leap, too soon though - a fact the 41-year-old now recognises himself. He was sacked after less than three months.

Now he has a chance to rebuild his career and restore his reputation as one of the most talented young managers in the lower divisions though. His drive and ambition will match that of Darlington's.

He will also, after the way he was treated at Posh, be unlikely to jump ship if the opportunity was to arise. A bit of loyalty can be mutually beneficial to both Darlington and Cooper's futures.

Indeed, so keen was Cooper to get the chance to manage Darlo, he immediately contacted chairman Raj Singh about the vacancy following Kidd's resignation. Fans will hope he will be similarly quick in turning around their side's fortunes.

It could be argued too that, despite a promising end to the previous campaign under Davey, the man at the helm now is better placed to achieve success than either of his two immediate predecessors.

Davey's only managerial experience before joining Darlington was in the Championship, and he has no knowledge of the Conference. Unlike Cooper, too, he has never won a promotion in his managerial career.

Kidd had never been a manager in his own right, and was more suited to being Davey's assistant. It would be no surprise if he eventually turns up at Hereford alongside his friend.

For a club who have had such upheaval over the summer, it could be argued, therefore, that the Quakers have landed on their feet with appointing Cooper.

The only brief tenure they want now is their time in the Conference.

Walking Wounded

As Simon Davey swaps managerial chairs at Darlington for Hereford United, Nobes looks at other managers who have walked out on clubs - only to regret it later.

Simon Davey was in charge at Darlington for just three months

The natives are restless. Just three months into his role as the man to turn around Darlington's fortunes, Simon Davey's decision to resign for "personal reasons" only to pop up at Hereford has angered Quakers fans.

Darlo were a sinking ship when the former Barnsley boss assumed the reins. Although he was unable to save them from relegation to the Conference, the side had showed enough promise to suggest they would be a force next season.

Summer recruitments were already brought in by the Welshman as he set about constructing a team capable of restoring Football League status at the first attempt.

Now, after his resignation, that mantle will fall to long-term assistant Ryan Kidd. Davey, however, has made an even quicker return to League Two with the Hereford job.

It's fair to say many Darlington supporters will wish him absolutely no success whatsoever. His departure has left a bitter taste in the mouth, one they hope will be partially helped if Davey's time at Hereford is an unsuccessful and short one.

The Edgar Street job is a tricky one - trying to please fans used to attractive football and punching above their weight under former boss, and new Shrewsbury manager, Graham Turner.

A season spent languishing in the bottom half saw Turner's successor John Trewick sacked - a sign of how, perhaps unrealistically, high expectations are at the West Midlands club.

Davey will have a tough task on his hands, therefore. He will also hope to avoid the same kind of ignominy that other managers have felt after walking out on a club in an attempt to better their career.

Here are some of the managers who probably wish they had stayed loyal to their clubs.


Phil Parkinson

Parkinson was one of the most promising young managers in the game in 2006. He had just led unfashionable Colchester United to promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history.

However, a month later he resigned his post at Layer Road and made the move to Hull City.

The Tigers, established in the second tier, would offer him greater resources and the impressive KC Stadium the stage for his development as a manager, he thought.

By Christmas, he had been sacked. A poor start to the season, which had seen the Yorkshire outfit struggling towards the foot of the division, saw him axed. Colchester went on to finish the season in 10th, 11 places above Hull.

Parkinson subsequently moved on to Charlton - where he suffered demotion to League One in 2009. He and the Addicks remain there next season.


Ian Holloway

The bubbly Bristolian acted like he had won the jackpot when he landed the manager's job at under performing Leicester City in 2007.

He had left Plymouth Argyle - where he had impressed on a budget - in acrimonious circumstances to make the move to the East Midlands. He shouldn't have bothered.

Despite spending good money, the Foxes slid to an agonising final day relegation to League One and Holloway was promptly fired. Plymouth finished in the top half.

It was to prove only a minor blip, however. Holloway returned to football and masterminded Blackpool's rise to the Premier League last season - as Plymouth slid out of the top two tiers.



Brendan Rodgers

For a long time, the Northern Irishman worked in the shadows - as a youth team coach at Reading and then under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

However, he took on his first managerial job at struggling Watford in 2008 - playing an attractive style of football which led the Hornets to a comfortable mid-table finish in the Championship.

He turned his back on the club who had given him his break as a manager though, and left to join old club Reading. His reign with the Royals was short-lived and unsuccessful as they toiled towards the bottom.

He was sacked in December and has yet to find re-employment. Both Watford and Reading finished in mid-table in last term's Championship.


Steve Cotterill

Having worked his way up the pyramid as he performed miracles at Cheltenham Town, Cotterill was given his big break in management at Stoke City in 2002.

The Potters had been freshly elevated into the Championship and had a solid start to their campaign under Cotterill.

However, when the call came from new Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson to join him as assistant in the top flight, Cotterill jumped ship and left Stoke in the lurch after just 13 games.

Wilkinson and Cotterill endured a miserable spell on Wearside though, and were sacked before the season's end. Stoke, under new boss Tony Pulis, survived in the second tier.

After subsequent spells at Burnley and Notts County, Cotterill now finds himself at Portsmouth in the Championship - below both top-flight Stoke and Pulis.


Iain Dowie

Crystal Palace's promotion to the top flight in 2005 had been the stuff of fairy tales. New boss Iain Dowie had turned around the club's fortunes in the space of a few months before leading them to play-off success.

He almost kept them in the Premier League, and then failed to take them back at the first attempt as they lost out in the play-offs. Dowie resigned - before controversially taking up the post at top flight club, and Palace's bitter rivals, Charlton.

It was a poor decision. The Addicks badly struggled under Dowie, who was soon fired. He has had short and unsuccessful subsequent spells at Coventry, QPR, Hull, and as assistant to Alan Shearer at Newcastle.

Still out of the game now, his mismanagement had a large part to play in Charlton's rapid fall down the ladder to where they now find themselves in League One.


Paul Ince

The former England international began his managerial career at lowly League Two side Macclesfield before making the leap to fellow basement boys Milton Keynes Dons in 2007.

He led the Dons to League Two title and JPT success in his first season - earning him the call to take over the vacant manager's job at top flight club club Blackburn Rovers.

Without any regard to how briefly he had been a manager, Ince decided to make the step-up. A promising start gave way to a dreadful run which left the Lancashire club in a relegation battle.

Ince was given his marching orders before Christmas and successor Sam Allardyce managed to keep the Ewood Park outfit up.

A humiliating return to Milton Keynes last summer was the next move for Ince but a disappointing season saw him hand in his resignation. He is currently without a job.


Martin Allen

The man known as 'Mad Dog' began his managerial reign at Barnet before enjoying a hugely profitable spell at Brentford.

On leaving Griffin Park he took on the challenge of helping MK Dons win promotion from League Two in 2006.

Despite having one of the largest budgets outside the Championship, Allen produced a team playing poor football that only managed to finish in the play-offs - where they lost out to Shrewsbury.

Surprisingly, he was then offered the chance to manage at second tier club Leicester. However, just four games into the new season, he departed after a breakdown in relations between himself and chairman Milan Mandaric.

He next turned up for a turbulent and unsuccessful stint at League One Cheltenham - where the Gloucestershire club suffered relegation under his management.

Sacked last season from Whaddon Road, he remains out of the managerial game. Milton Keynes, after enjoying success after his departure, have consolidated in League One.


Davey has been warned.

An Unsurprising Turner Events

As Hereford sack their manager John Trewick, Nobes reports on the predictability of recent events at Edgar Street.

It's a hard task as a newly appointed manager to try and impress your boss.

It's an even tougher one when the man whose approval you're trying to gain is your predecessor.

Perhaps it's no surprise then than less than a year into the job, John Trewick parted company as manager of Hereford United.

In truth, the task always looked difficult for the Geordie when he decided to succeed the long-serving Graham Turner as manager of the Bulls.

Turner, who also owns the club, had been in charge of team affairs at Edgar Street for 14 years before deciding to 'move upstairs' at the tail end of last season.

It was a reign as manager where he helped the club avoid going out of business after relegation from the Football League in 1997 and then, after leading back into League Two in 2006, he took them up to League One two years later.

United always appeared be punching above their weight in the third tier though and were instantly demoted back down, prompting Turner to hand over control to his assistant, Trewick.

Not only did the new man have a tough act to follow, as has been proved at other clubs such as Crewe, following a long-serving manager is never an easy gig.

With expectations high for Hereford to bounce back at the first attempt, the pressure was also on to see the club challenging at the right end of the division. It was a challenge that never materialised.

The Bulls have been dogged by inconsistency all season and have particularly struggled away from home - winning just two out of their 17 games on the road.

They currently lie 18th - a full 11 points clear of the relegation places. However, the fact they haven't been in the top half of the table all season was an obvious disappointment.

Should it have been though?

Hereford are a small club in League Two terms and attract crowds of just over 2,000. Their antiquated Edgar Street ground, too, is badly outdated for the financial demands of 21st century football.

Their promotion in 2008 was a triumph against all the odds. The wily Turner managing to coax a group of prodigious young loan players and some experienced heads into a very consistent team.

As soon as they lost those loan stars however, they always appeared to be out of their depth and relegation was no surprise to anyone.

Was it right then to assume that a side who were in the Non Leagues as recently as four years ago would immediately be in a position to challenge for a return to League One?

Re-Turner, the chairman is back as caretaker manager at Edgar Street

After his sacking, Trewick stated he felt that the club had done as well as could be expected given the transition period taking place in the West Midlands.

Indeed, 18th place is not far away from where United finished in their first season back in the 92 under Turner. Why was that acceptable then but not acceptable now?

Perhaps it's just another case of unrealistically high and inflated expectations. After all, there are many bigger sides playing in the Conference right now who would happily swap places with the Bulls right now.

Inevitably, Turner has come back in a caretaker capacity until a long-term replacement can be found. The chairman hopes this will be before the season is out.

However, whoever is next in line at Hereford, Turner must be prepared to give him a longer and better crack of the whip than Trewick received. Fans must also re-evaluate and lower their level of demands.

They became accustomed to winning games and playing attractive football under Turner, but that takes time, and they should realise their success in the Noughties was a result of that stability built up over the years.

Turner is a likeable and respected figure in the game, he must now add 'patience' to his list of qualities if Hereford truly are to move on from his management.

Big Match Review - Cheltenham 0 Hereford 1

League Two

Cheltenham Town 0-1 Hereford United

Tuesday March 2, 19:45, Whaddon Road

A first half goal from Ryan Green was enough for 10-man Hereford to end a run of three straight defeats and see off fellow strugglers Cheltenham.

The Bulls began the brighter of the two sides but both teams struggled to fashion any openings. However, the visitors did find the breakthrough after 25 minutes.

Full back Green played a neat one two with Kenny Lunt before slotting the ball past Scott Brown in the Town goal.

However, John Trewick's men soon found themselves with a numerical disadvantage after James McQuilkin was sent off for two bookable offences before the break.

The Robins pressed for a leveller in the second half and were unfortunate to be denied when Julian Alsop saw his powerful header brilliantly saved by Adam Bartlett.

The United keeper was called into action again when he was at full-stretch to tip Michael Pook's long range curler wide of the post.

The home team were unable to find a way through though and, whilst Hereford move away from the drop zone, Mark Yates's men remain deep in trouble.

Big Match Preview

League Two

Cheltenham Town vs. Hereford United
Saturday January 9, 15:00, Whaddon Road

Two basement division strugglers clash in the Cotswolds this weekend as Cheltenham and Hereford face one another with three precious points up for grabs.

Both sides were relegated from League One last season but a second successive fight against the drop wasn't expected this term. However, with the two sides in 21st and 20th respectively in the League Two table, another demotion is not impossible.

For Town, this match offers the chance for a first home win for new boss Mark Yates. The former Cheltenham player left Kidderminster to re-join his old club last month.

It brought an end to the disrupting saga involving former boss Martin Allen, who was suspended and subsequently cleared over making alleged racist remarks to a member of the public.

Caretaker Jon Schofield oversaw a slide down the table for the Robins, who have won just two of their 11 games at Whaddon Road this season.

However, impressive away results with a 2-0 win at Dagenham and 1-1 draw at Bradford suggest Yates is beginning to turn things around.

Much of the Gloucestershire outfit's hopes are pinned on top scorer Justin Richards, who has bagged eight goals so far this term. Veteran forward Barry Hayles has also chipped in with five goals to his name this season too.

New Cheltenham boss Mark Yates is looking for his second win in four games

They face a Hereford side who, under John Trewick, have struggled badly for any kind of form on the road. The Bulls have recorded just a single away win, at mid-table Northampton, and have been beaten seven times.

It's been a baptism of fire therefore for Trewick, formerly the assistant to long-serving boss and now club chairman, Graham Turner.

Their predicament has not been helped either by the postponement of recent home games against Lincoln and Crewe. This, along with other sides around them picking up results, has seen them drop to within seven points of the relegation zone.

Star performers this season include ex-Southend striker Leon Constantine and midfield man Marc Pugh, both notching six goals this season.

Other notable names include former Derby striker Lee Morris and Kenny Lunt, who has experience in the Championship with Crewe and Sheffield Wednesday.

Saturday's match is one neither side can really afford to lose, and much will depend on whether Hereford's enforced break leaves them rusty or fresh for this six-pointer.

If it's the former then, coupled with Cheltenham's recent good form under their new manager, a third home win of the season could well be heading Town's way in a tight contest.

Nobes' Prediction: Cheltenham Town 1 Hereford United 0