In The Shadow Of A Bigger Neighbour

Yesterday I paid my first visit to Allpay Park home of Step 5 Westfields who play in the Midlands Football League and are based in the city of Hereford and thereby hangs a tale ,as anyone with a love  of Non League football will know this year saw the sad demise of Hereford Utd one of the great names of Non League football famous for their victory over Newcastle Utd back in the 70's.

Since Utd collapsed Westfields have been the beneficiaries with an increase in gates this season of over 90% obviously many former Utd fans need a regular fix of Non League Football

But there is an Elephant in the room that being the Phoenix club Hereford FC who have this week secured a 5 year lease on Utd's old ground at Edgar Street and will kick off there next season in a League somewhere between Steps 4 & 6 dependent upon the strictures of the FA.So where will that leave Westfields ,well firstly I am sure at least some of the former Utd fans who have decamped across the road have been impressed with what they have seen at Allpay Park ,I have seen them a couple of times this season and they are highly entertaining and the club itself most welcoming

But of course the vast majority of former Utd fans will be following the new Hereford FC and Westfields will probably have to live without the extra income but there is an option,if the homeless of Hereford who found solace at Allpay were made as welcome as I was yesterday and are unable or unwilling to make long journeys that by the nature of things they will have to make in  whatever league they are in next year then do what you have this year and go and watch Westfields on Herefords away days.

Hopefully the powers that be in the world of fixtures will ensure that the 2 clubs being so close won't be at home at the same time so maybe this seasons upturn in attendance for Westfields wont totally go away