Hereford appoint Aaron Downes as their new manager until end of the 2025/26 season; and more contenders for job are being reported.
Downes comes in following the departure of Paul Caddis, who was sacked following Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat to AFC Telford United.
The result means that Hereford are now nine points from safety in the National League North relegation zone, but do have seven games in hand on Peterborough Sports, Southport and Oxford City and eight on 18th-place Bedford.
Hereford’s Edgar Street pitch has been beset by issues and a large number of postponements. But their midweek loss stretched a winless run to six league matches.
The Non League Paper’s Neil Harvey meanwhile claimed that ex Bath City manager Jerry Gill is among the early favourites to land the job
Former Bath City manager Jerry Gill is among the early favourites to land the Hereford job following departure of Paul Caddis.https://t.co/fuo5Tq0aJl
— The Non-League Paper (@NonLeaguePaper) February 16, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT ON SACKING:
Hereford FC can confirm that a decision has been taken to part company with manager, Paul Caddis, with immediate effect.
The decision comes following last night’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at AFC Telford United.
Bulls Chairman, Chris Ammonds, said:
“We would like to thank Paul for his hard work and commitment during his two and a half years as manager at the MandM Edgar Street Stadium.
“Our performances in his first two seasons at the helm went a long way to helping to stablise the club following a very difficult period, and he also played a key role in rebuilding the link between the club and supporters.
“I would also like to personally thank him for the way he has helped me – and the club – deal with some difficult off-field issues this season. His sense of right and wrong is very impressive and is a huge compliment to the type of person he is.
“Everyone at the club would like to wish Paul and his family all the very best for the future – I’m sure fans will join me in saying they will always be welcome at our club.”
PAUL CADDIS STATEMENT:
Thank You, Hereford Football Club .
As I step away from my role as Manager of Hereford FC, I do so with immense pride and deep gratitude.
When I arrived, the challenge was clear.
❌ No players.
❌ No staff structure.
❌ Two paid members of football personnel.
❌ £5,000 in the bank.
❌ One of the lowest budgets in the league.
It was my first managerial role — and there was nowhere to hide.
There were obstacles everywhere. Financial restraints. Expectations without resource. Difficult periods. Unrest. Pressure. Moments where the easy option would have been to step back.
But together, we didn’t.
We built.
✅ In Year One, we achieved 69 points — the highest return at this level in the club’s history.
✅ In Year Two, we broke that again with 76.
✅ Most goals scored.
✅ Most clean sheets.
✅ Historic wins at grounds the club had never conquered.
✅ Over 1,000 supporters travelling to Oxford City.
But what will stay with me most isn’t the records.
It’s the resilience.
✅ £5,000 in the bank became over £250,000+.
✅ Year 1 (23/24) Profit – £120,000
✅ Year 2 (24/25) Profit – £145,000
✅ Record player sales.
✅ Attendances rising.
✅ Record Season Ticket Holders
✅ A reconnection between club and community.
✅ Improved facilities to give players the environment they deserve.
And, most importantly, we leave behind a sustainable platform — financially and structurally — that gives Hereford the genuine opportunity to progress into its next phase: from part-time, to hybrid, and ultimately to a full-time model.
That foundation is built on stability, growth and belief.
There were battles behind the scenes that many will never see. Difficult conversations. Heavy responsibility. Long nights. Real pressure.
But in those moments, the support — from players, staff, supporters and so many good people around the club — mattered more than you know.
❤️ To the players: thank you for your honesty, your fight and your commitment.
❤️ To the staff: thank you for believing when it was hard.
❤️ To the supporters: your backing home and away will stay with me forever.
❤️ To the board: Thank you for your trust in me at such a young age at a time when the club’s future required courage, conviction and stability.
We started with very little.
We leave with strength, stability and a clear pathway forward.
That matters.
I leave stronger for the experience, grateful for the journey, and proud of what we overcame together.
Hereford will always hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you. 🖤🤍
Paul Caddis issues statement after leaving Hereford https://t.co/SK1lv2UxCR pic.twitter.com/YFm0JJw4Gn
— Bulls News (@BullsNewsBlog) February 13, 2026
Hereford FC are delighted to announce that Aaron Downes has been appointed the club’s first team manager on a contract that initially runs until the end of the 2026 National League North season.https://t.co/H6AUenOszw#COYW | #OurCity pic.twitter.com/UNZOmubMtu
— Hereford FC (@HerefordFC) February 16, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT:
Hereford FC are delighted to announce that Aaron Downes has been appointed the club’s first team manager on a contract that initially runs until the end of the 2026 National League North season.
During a 15-year playing career, Downes made more than 350 senior appearances for Chesterfield, Bristol Rovers, Torquay United and Cheltenham Town, before moving into coaching and becoming Gary Johnson’s Assistant Manager at Torquay in 2018.
He was then appointed Interim Manager at Plainmoor in February 2024, overcoming administration, an 11-point deduction and a transfer embargo to guide the Gulls away from the National League South relegation zone.
More recently, Downes was Mike Flynn’s assistant at Cheltenham Town from June 2024 until September 2025, before leaving the club when Steve Cotterill was appointed the Robins’ new manager.
Downes will be bringing in former Hereford United midfielder, Harry Pell, as part of his staff, and he is hoping to retain Adam Rooney and Shaun Edwards on his coaching team as Player Coach and Goalkeeping Coach respectively.
Speaking about this appointment, Bulls Chairman, Chris Ammonds, said:
“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Aaron for him to become our new manager.
“He brings considerable experience as an assistant manager to the MandM Edgar Street Stadium and, importantly, has previously shown his ability to galvanise a squad of players in challenging circumstances as Interim Manager when he was appointed manager at Torquay for the final 13 games of the 2024 season.
“Aaron was a stand-out candidate among the applicants and we were very impressed by his positivity, his personality, his belief in his own methods and how badly he wanted this job. He is also highly thought of by people he has worked alongside since moving into coaching.
“Before we spoke to him, Aaron put forward a detailed plan to navigate us through the rest of the season, and he has clearly already spent a lot of time watching our matches and assessing the options available to him.
“We will be offering Aaron support to freshen up the Bulls squad in the coming days and weeks and we are very much looking forward to working with him for the rest of this campaign, and hopefully beyond.”
Commenting on his appointment, Downes said:
“I am absolutely honoured to be given this opportunity and cannot wait to get started.
“After several years as an assistant manager, I have been waiting for the right opportunity to become a number one and as soon as the role at Hereford FC became available, I expressed a strong interest.
“While the league table shows that the season has not gone as everyone at the MandM Edgar Street Stadium hoped it would, I am confident that there is more than enough time to turn things round and that with tweaks to our set-up and a few new additions, we will be able to climb the table towards safety.
“Having played against Hereford on a number of occasions I know how passionate the supporters here are and have no doubt that, if we all pull together, we will be able to secure the points required from the final 21 games to ensure this great club remains in the National League North going into the 2026/27 season.”
