Queen Elizabeth II presents England's World-Cup winning captain, Bobby Moore, with the Jules Rimet trophy

History

Helping Herefordshire football thrive Since 1893

Herefordshire FA has a long and proud history. We've been here for local football since 1893 and you can read more about our involvement below. Think we've missed something important? Get in touch and let us know! 
Timeline

1893 Herefordshire Football Association formed on October 14th at meeting held at the Mansion House, Widemarsh Street and attended by representatives of clubs throughout the County. It was agreed to affiliate to the Birmingham and District Football Association. 

The following officers were elected: President- Mr Tom Carver, Chairman- Rev Leigh Spencer, Hon. Secretary- Mr H H Babstock.

Founder clubs were: Hereford, Hereford Thistle, Hereford Early Closers, Hereford Juniors, Tenbury, Peterchurch, Builth, Leominster, Builth, Builth Juniors, Kington, Berwick Rangers, Presteigne Town, Silver Stars, Ledbury United, Bircher, Ludlow, Rhyader, Whitfield, Tupsley, Much Marcle, Bromyard Excelsior, Worcester Rovers, Ross, Worcester Excelsior, Pencombe.

1894 Membership increased to 30 by the election of Ledbury Victoria, Hereford Red Rose and Hereford St Peters.

Hereford beat Builth 1-0 to become the first winners of the HFA Senior County Challenge Cup under the jurisdiction of the Association, and Leominster defeated Worcester Excelsior 5-2 in the final of the HFA Junior Cup.

The Senior County Challenge Cup was inaugurated eight years earlier when Hereford also won the trophy, beating Ludlow 3-0 in the final.

1895 Hereford beat Hereford Thistle to become the first winners of the HFA Charity Bowl.

1899 Herefordshire Football League formed at a meeting at No 5 Hotel, Widemarsh Street, Hereford on August 15th.

1900 Herefordshire Football Association granted disciplinary powers by the Birmingham and District FA to enable the Associations Executive Committee to deal directly with any offences reported within the County borders.

1913 Herefordshire Football Association affiliated direct to the Football Association with membership reaching the required 50 clubs needed to become a separate self-administering body.

1920 Mr HP Barnsley elected Chairman- a position he held for 36 years. He was the county representative on the Football Association for 20 years Chairman of the FA Disciplinary Commission for 3 years. He also served on the FA Match and Ground Consultative Committee for International matches. He received the FA Long Service Gold medal and later became the first Life President of the Herefordshire Football Association. He was Mayor of Hereford from 1938 until 1942.

1923 North Herefordshire League formed to provide regular football for teams in the north of the County.

1924 St Martins and RAOC (Rotherwas) amalgamated to form Hereford United and made their debut in the Birmingham Combination at Edgar Street on August 30th when they were beaten 3-2 by Atherstone Town. 

1938 HFA Burghill Cup competition launched to raise money for the Associations Benevolent Fund.

1939 Hereford United became a limited company and joined the Southern League.

1944 Hereford Referees Association formed to assist and coach potential soccer officials.

1950 Ansells Brewery presented a handsome Herefordshire Senior Cup to the Association for competition between professional clubs. Shrewsbury Town beat Hereford United 3-1 in the first invitation final at Edgar Street. 

1952 Mr Ted Powell elected Secretary of the Association- a position he held for the next 25 years. He then became Chairman of the Hereford Times Herefordshire Football League, Vice-Chairman of the Herefordshire FA and Chairman in 1987. He was appointed the County representative of the Football Association and became one of the Match and Ground Committee, having previously served as Chairman of the FA Publication Committee and Chairman of the FA Challenge Trophy Committee. 

1962 Herefordshire Sunday League formed principally for players unable to participate in Saturday and midweek matches.

1963 Football Exhibition staged by the Association at the Shirehall in September to mark the Centenary of the Football Association.

1966 Herefordshire FA Coaching Association formed in August to develop the game on an organized scale through schools, youth clubs and local teams.

1968 Exhibition held in Shirehall and a celebration dinner at Hillside, Hereford, in May to mark the 75th anniversary of the HFA. 

1972 Hereford united elected to the Fourth division of the Football League.

1976 All weather playing court opened at Hereford Lads Club in conjunction with the Herefordshire Football Association by Mr Ted Croker, Secretary of the Football Association.

1979 Hinton beat Ledbury Town to win the HFA Senior Challenge Cup for the fifth year running and equal the record of the Hereford City set in 1914.

1985 County Association purchased land at Widemarsh Common in July to enable them to have a home of their own where they could stage representative matches and build their own headquarters.

1989 County pavilion officially opened on New Year’s Eve before HFA Youth Cup final. Later in the season the finals of the Charity Bowl, Junior Cup, Burghill Cup and Sunday Cup were all staged on the county ground.

1993 HFA presented with an illuminated certificate by the Football Association to commemorate their Centenary.

1998 Herefordshire FA became the first County to become a Company Limited by Guarantee. This being the first step to converting what was no more than a hobby pursuit to a small business. The Association was still run from ‘the kitchen table’ with no offices.

2000 the first County Plan was produced which reviewed the workload and responsibilities of volunteers and set out the short, medium and long term targets for the Association.

2001 thanks to a grant from The Football Association, the County was able to appoint it’s first full time member of staff as the first step to achieving the setting up of business premises.

2004 the County Headquarters was refurbished to accommodate new members of staff who with administration grants were tasked with ‘Football Development’ within the County.

2016 Hereford FC reach the FA Vase Final at Wembley, Herefordshire FA successfully negotiate the parade of Hereford Bull "Hawkesbury Ronaldo" around the Wembley pitch 

2016 Herefordshire FA take over the running of the County League with the intention of helping it grow in future seasons.

2017 the County continues to develop all areas of the game with a staff of ten of which five are full time. We continue to focus on growing football within the county and providing football opportunities For All.      

Partnerships

Be part of our future

If you'd like to join the Herefordshire FA and help continue supporting and growing football in the local area why not become a partner. 

  • Opportunities to sponsor leagues and competitions
  • Reach a huge audience across the county
  • Support the local game and the sport you love
Beyond Storage sponsors of Herefordshire FA Roadshow reaches Ross

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