Football Knockoffs III: Hereford United and Ibstock United
Off-brand versions of famous clubs that we know and love around the world
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picture via gloriouscreative.co.uk
This week’s Football Knockoffs are a bit different compared to the two that I have done before. The two clubs in today’s entry were formed around the same time back in the late 19th early 20th century; they also have almost identical club badges. I do not think there is a pair of more similar badges then these two English sides, which are located just 90 miles apart from each other.
Nowadays, both teams are around anymore. Hereford United was dissolved in 2014 and turning into Hereford F.C. shortly after. Ibstock United, on the other hand, recently resigned from the Leicestershire Senior League back in February of 2018 and has stepped away from league play. The club does have a prominent youth program in their community that still runs regardless of the senior team’s situation.
After Hereford dissolved the United from their name, not much else changed. They still play in the same ground, Edgar Street, which has a 5,213 capacity. Though the new Hereford United has a similar name and they play in the same stadium, they are in no way connected to their dissolved predecessor. They do pay homage to the old club with the words “Forever United” displayed on their new badge, as well as keeping the club’s iconic bull.
After rebranding, Hereford had three straight championship seasons taking them from the Midland League Premier Division, the ninth tier in English football, all the way up to the National League North, the sixth tier. Since then, they nearly dodged relegation, finishing in 17th out of 22 teams for two straight seasons. Since Hereford F.C. are so new, they have struggled to make runs into the FA Cup; however, their predecessors have made it to the fourth round in seven separate seasons.
It is a shame that both of these teams have fallen into obscurity. Although their trace on world football will never go noticed, it still doesn’t mean that they have things left behind to remember them for years to come. Thanks for reading.