After three losses on the bounce ending in a 1-0 defeat to Farsley Celtic Hereford made the decision to sack manager Josh Gowling.
The Bulls had only picked up two wins since November, a run of form which has seen them drop from being just outside the play offs down to 15th.
Gowling initially took charge on an interim basis mid-way through the 2019/2020 season, before taking on the job permanently at the end of that season which was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Hereford finishing in 16th.
The Whites saw a definite improvement on the pitch in his first full season in charge as they climbed from 16th to 12th and even got to Wembley for the second time in the clubs history as they reached the FA trophy final, although that ended in a 3-1 defeat to Hornchurch.
Despite the defeat at Wembley the Hereford hierarchy clearly had faith in the former West Brom defender as they handed him and assistant manager Steve Burr a new contract at the end of that season.
Last season started with a positive feeling around the club with the trip to Wembley just three months before still fresh in the memory and the return of fans after the pandemic.
That atmosphere quickly turned sour as the Bulls failed to pick up a win after the first six league games.
Some fans were starting to turn on Gowling but the board decided to stick with him, a decision which proved to be a good one initially as an unbeaten November moved Hereford safely into mid table.
At the end of the season the Whites finished in 12th, the exact same position as the last season.
At the start of this season the Bulls reached the first round of the FA Cup where they were beaten 3-1 against Portsmouth in a televised match which was huge for the club. This was a brilliant achievement by Gowling and the players and it probably gave the manager some credit in the bank when it came to keeping his job for.
Perhaps the darkest moment of Gowling’s reign aside from the loss at Wembley was the 2-0 loss to Hereford Pegasus from the ninth tier in the County Cup in January.
Many fans wanted him sacked there and then but the club decided to stick by him for the next three weeks when he eventually left the club by mutual consent.
Since winning promotion to the National League North in 2018 the club has stagnated with league finishes in 17th, 16th, 12th, and 12th again.
Although this is technically a different club to the extinct Hereford United, to a lot of fans being in League One and playing the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Brighton is still fresh in the memory, so being stuck in the sixth tier hurts them.
Bulls chairman Jon Hale is yet to appoint a new manager, initially giving the interim job to the player/assistant manager under Gowling, Yan Klukowski who will be assisted by experienced right back and club captain Jared Hodgkiss.
The first game under the management of Klukowski was a success as Hereford put their poor run of form to an end with a 2-0 win against Southport.
“They put in a magnificent shift, we only really worked on that change of shape for one day so to do that tonight is really pleasing.
“That result was for Josh (Gowling) who sadly departed us, we were desperate to get a win for him to show our appreciation for what he has done,” said the interim manager.
A statement was recently put out by the club stating that: “Whilst it is our aim to appoint someone within the next few weeks, we realise that the importance of making the right decision cannot be understated, and therefore, we will not rush into any quick decisions.”
Former Hereford manager and fan favourite Graham Turner has been brought to the club to assist in the recruitment process which is something that the fans will love to hear.
Whoever chairman Jon Hale decides to appoint as the new manager, with the club languishing in mid table and finances being tight, this appointment is extremely important to ensure that the club does not slip any further.
