The 1980–81 season was the 52nd season of competitive football played by Hereford United Football Club and their ninth in the Football League. The club competed in Division Four, as well as the League Cup, Welsh Cup and FA Cup.
Summary Hereford struggled from the off and had won only four league matches by the New Year, as well as suffering humiliating defeats in both major cup competitions. They were unable to field a settled side due to an injury crisis which resulted in lengthy absences to Tommy Hughes, Mel Pejic, Paul Gilchrist (who eventually retired from playing) and Frank McGrellis. Although doomed to apply again for re-election to the Football League, a run of four wins and three draws from the final eight matches at least enabled them to pull clear of bottom spot above Halifax Town and York City.
In the Welsh Cup, Hereford fared significantly better as they reached the final, enjoying excellent wins over higher-graded Shrewsbury Town and Newport County along the way. Their opponents in the two-legged final were Swansea City, fresh from promotion to the First Division for the first time in their history, who narrowly prevailed 2–1 on aggregate.
Squad Players who made one appearance or more for Hereford United F.C. during the 1980-81 season Pos.Nat.NameLeagueLeague CupWelsh CupFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKDrew Brand220002020260GKRay Cashley (on loan from Bristol City)200006000260GKTommy Hughes4020000060DFDanny Bartley454218220577DFStuart Cornes32(1)100802042(1)1DFIan Dobson17220000(1)019(1)2DFKeith Hicks391007020481DFPaul Hunt8(8)10(1)0102011(9)1DFJohn Layton0010000010DFAdam Musial160001000170DFRichard Overson1(2)0000(1)0001(3)0DFMel Pejic130203000180DFChris Price422207020532DFSteve Strong6000000060DFValmore Thomas90001020120MFJimmy Harvey29(1)120702040(1)1MFJoe Laidlaw19(1)100730026(1)4MFSean Lane11(2)020000013(2)0MFGary Lowe90200000110MFPeter Spiring40(1)1206(1)12050(2)2MFWinston White435008220537FWTrevor Ames5(1)00000005(1)0FWFred Binney2(2)00000002(2)0FWGarry Jones21(4)420112126(4)6FWFrank McGrellis24101074003214FWPaul Morris1(1)00000001(1)0FWStewart Phillips6(2)10010007(2)1FWDerek Showers224007200296
League table
Results
Fourth Division
League Cup
Welsh Cup
FA Cup
References
Bibliography