Graham golden to Hereford faithful

Dec 18 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hereford, who were elected to the Football League at the expense of Barrow in 1972, were back in non-league football, and Turner, who made two unsuccessful attempts to resign, was central to the hard-up club’s survival.

Things were so desperate during 2001-02 that Turner temporarily handed over the managerial reigns to former Town midfielder Phil Robinson in order to concentrate on finances.

Slowly but surely, he got the club back on an even keel, and after two failed play-off campaigns, Hereford finally returned to the League in 2006, beating Halifax in the play-off final.

After surviving their first season back in the Football League, Hereford’s long-suffering fans were in ecstasy when Turner’s charges won promotion last season, finishing third behind MK Dons and Peterborough.

Coach John Trewick, the former West Brom and Newcastle player who has been at Hereford since 2004, was quick to praise Turner, saying: “People talk about Jose Mourinho being special but you have got to look a little closer to home to see what can actually be achieved.

“We’ve got limited resources at this club and – even if I say so myself – two promotions in three years is an absolutely phenomenal achievement by the manager.”