1924-1949

Hereford United Football Club was formed by the amalgamation of two local sides, St Martins and RAOC in June 1924.

The newly formed Hereford United played its first ever competitive fixture on August 30th 1924, losing 2-3 to Atherstone Town in the Birmingham Combination League. This was closely followed by the club’s maiden appearance in the FA Cup against, neighbours, Kidderminster Harriers, but this again ended in defeat as United went down 2-7.

After spending four seasons in the Birmingham Combination, Hereford graduated to the Birmingham League, where they steadily established themselves as one of the top sides, as well as making their first appearance in the First Round of the FA Cup in 1932/33, narrowly losing 1-2 at Third Division (North) side Accrington Stanley.

1939 marked the club becoming a limited company, giving it the official title of Hereford United Football Club (1939) Limited, and also saw them enter the premier non-league competition, the Southern League. The former Derby County player, Eric Keen, was appointed as player-manager but United were only able to play four matches before the outbreak of war led to the suspension of all football nationwide.

When the Southern League resumed in 1945/6, Hereford finished runners-up to Chelmsford City in very controversial circumstances. City rose above United thanks to points they had been awarded in lieu of unplayed fixtures. The result stood, despite vehement protests from all concerned at Hereford.

The Bulls reached the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time three years later in 1948/49 after a 3-0 success at Kidderminster Harriers in front of 9,155 supporters, but were eliminated soon after by Exeter City in a 1-2 defeat. United reached the Second Round again the following season, recording another 3-0 victory against Bromsgrove Rovers at Edgar Street in front of 10,150 spectators. However, Hereford bowed out 1-2 to Weymouth at the next stage. The Terras went on to play Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Third Round.