EXACTLY five years after Hereford took 20,000 supporters to the home of football the Bulls are returning.
Wembley was a sea of black and white, as in their first season as the reformed Hereford FC, the Bulls were beaten finalists in the FA Vase final on May 22, 2016.
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On that occasion Hereford suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Morpeth.
However, it was the start of a rise back up the football pyramid which saw Hereford win three promotions in as many years.
Their last visit to Wembley was in the FA Vase for club's at steps five and six of the non-league pyramid.
Now Hereford will return with a completely different squad and management looking for a Wembley victory on May 22, 2021 when they play Greater London side Hornchurch in the FA Trophy final.
How Hereford got there this season
Hereford now play their league football in the National League North (step two of non-league football).
The FA Trophy is a knockout cup competition for clubs from non-league step one to four.
This season Hereford entered the competition in the second round.
On route to Wembley Hereford have won six games in the competition.
They have beaten St Neots Town at home, Nantwich Town away, Stamford AFC away, Leamington at home, Aldershot Town on penalties away and Woking at home.
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Due to no financial support being available, while fans are not allowed in stadiums, Hereford's league season has been cancelled and classed as 'null and void'.
That means Hereford have been without a league game since February 16 and their only competitive games have been in the FA Trophy.
As Hereford United, the Bulls were beaten FA Trophy semi-finalists twice in 1970 (by Hillingdon Borough) and 2001 (by Forest Green Rovers) so never got to a Wembley final.
The manager
What makes Hereford's achievement even more remarkable is that it is their manager, Josh Gowling's first in management.
Gowling signed for Hereford as a defender in December 2018.
After the departure of manager Russell Slade last season Gowling was made interim manager and appointed assistant Steve Burr.
The season was curtailed when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.
During the following summer Gowling was made permanent manager for this season.
Under Gowling Hereford are now 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.
After Hereford's 1-0 win over Woking in the semi-final Gowling said it would be a dream to see Bulls fans at Wembley.
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