Bulls pre-season plan takes shape

Graham Turner has passed on first team responsibilities to John Trewick

Hereford United director of football Graham Turner says he and manager John Trewick are pleased with their programme of pre-season friendlies.

Turner is still looking to add games but, so far, things look promising.

"We have a Wolves XI, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers so there are three attractive games for us," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"I think we probably need another home pre-season match and then we will look for several away games."

The relegated Bulls will open their pre-season schedule with a home game against Bristol City on Monday 13 July.

They are then due to travel to Kidderminster Harriers eight days later.

Wolves are due at Edgar Street on Saturday 25 July while Bristol Rovers will visit the following Tuesday evening, ahead of the Bulls kicking off the new campaign back in League Two on 8 August.

Turner says pre-season friendlies are useful for their own preparations, while they can also provide pointers as to how their opponents might fare in the coming season.

"When Wolves came down last season you had got to fancy them for promotion," he said.

It gives us an opportunity to have a look at some of the young lads from these bigger clubs

Graham Turner

"When you looked at their side through the game with us, it was the pace they played at.

"When you looked at how Southampton played when they came up here there was no comparison, so it didn't surprise me that Wolves were promoted and Southampton relegated.

"It also gives us an opportunity to have a look at some of the young lads from these bigger clubs.

"In the past we have had one or two players from Wolves so when we play them it will give us an opportunity to keep the good relationship going.

"It is nice to have the relationships that we have with Wolves and West Brom, while it would be nice to get closer links with Aston Villa and to get some of their young lads out but we have not been able to do that so far."

Next season's league fixtures are due to be released on 17 June.