Evergreen Bulls chief is a man for all seasons

IN terms of managerial experience, Athletic chief John Sheridan can no longer be considered a rookie.

Sheridan has overseen 121 games during his time in permanent charge, yet that’s a drop in the ocean compared to the man he will face on the touchline this weekend.

Graham Turner is now entering his fourth decade as a manager and has been in control of Hereford since 1995, putting him second to Sir Alex Ferguson when it comes to longevity at one club.

Not only that, Turner is also Hereford’s chairman and director of football – and that’s what you call job security.

His reign with the Bulls has seen them tumble out of the Football League, hit the skids financially but then win two promotions in the last three seasons.

And Hereford’s position at the foot of League One hasn’t dimmed Sheridan’s admiration for his rival.

Sheridan said: “It’s amazing that Graham has been there for such a long time, but it goes to show what an excellent job he has done.

“They were a non-league club two years ago, so he has done brilliantly to get them up to this division.

“He’s got massive experience and has been around the game a long time, so I respect him for that.

“Hereford are struggling a bit, but I’m sure Graham has been in this situation before and he’ll know how to turn it round.

“To be in charge of the whole club shows he has a love of football because he probably doesn’t need all that hassle.

“They are in a tricky position at the moment, but I’m always wary about playing teams who have just been promoted because they tend to have a winning mentality.”

Turner’s extraordinary treble-role dates back to the late 1990s when Hereford were in danger of bankruptcy.

Already the club’s manager, he jointly purchased a majority shareholding, took over as chairman and has since balanced the books.

Turner, who has also led Shrewsbury, Aston Villa and Wolves, admits his main priority this season is to avoid an immediate return to League Two.

Hereford caused an upset last term by winning promotion with MK Dons, Peterborough and Stockport – the side who ended Athletic’s unbeaten record a week ago.

Their start has not been encouraging and they will arrive at Boundary Park on Sunday without any points from four away games.

The defeats have come at Leyton Orient (2-1), Bristol Rovers (6-1), Southend (1-0) and high-flying Leeds, where they put up a good fight before conceding the only goal.

On-loan Charlton ’keeper Darren Randolph was superb at Elland Road, while Hereford recently shored up their defence by signing 37-year-old Bruno N’Gotty from Leicester.

A full France international, N’Gotty’s former teams include Bolton, Marseille, Venezia, Paris St-Germain, Lyon and AC Milan – not bad for a League One centre-half.

Hereford’s main goal threat this season has been Bradley Hudson-Odoi, while midfield man Kris Taylor once hit a long-range goal for Walsall against Athletic.

Sunday’s match will be the first meeting of the sides for over 30 years, and only the fifth in Football League history.




LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES



Tonight: Northampton v Hartlepool.

Tomorrow: Bristol Rovers v Leyton Orient; Cheltenham v Colchester; Leeds v Brighton; MK Dons v Carlisle; Scunthorpe v Crewe; Southend v Stockport; Swindon v Huddersfield; Tranmere v Millwall; Walsall v Peterborough. Sunday: Athletic v Hereford. Postponed (due to international call-ups): Leicester v Yeovil.