Patience is key – just ask Dons

HEREFORD FC have had a whirlwind existence so far, but they shouldn’t be disheartened if their rapid ascent shows signs of slowing now they’ve reached the Southern Premier.

Back-to-back promotions and an FA Vase final isn’t bad at all for a club formed a little over two years ago, so with the wind in their sails and backed by a loyal fan base, the Bulls will be expecting to make a push for another successful campaign.

However, the move into Step 3 isn’t always easy, as phoenix forefathers AFC Wimbledon and FC United have discovered. And it’s the Dons especially who Hereford should look to as reassurance should their ascent start to stutter.

Wimbledon arrived in the Isthmian Premier having banked two successive promotions, and were confident of a third. Yet they had to endure play-off heartbreak for two years running before finally ending their hoodoo.

While their Step 3 stay was longer than anticipated, it provided a solid springboard for two more promotions in the next three years, culminating in a return to the Football League.

There are parallels between the Bulls and the Dons, and Hereford can learn a great deal from how the South Londoners stuck it out for a couple of years.

It may be that like Wimbledon, Hereford have to bide their time for another promotion, but as the former proved that’s no bad thing. A successful climb up the football pyramid is a given for the Bulls, but they shouldn’t panic if they have to pause for breath every now and then.