Aaron Downes Appointed Hereford FC Manager, Aiming to Revitalise National League North Campaign
Hereford FC has officially announced the appointment of Aaron Downes as their new first-team manager, signing a contract that will see him lead the club until the conclusion of the 2025/2026 National League North season. The move signals a significant shift for the Bulls as they look to navigate the remainder of their current campaign and secure their position in the division.
A Promising Coaching Pedigree
Downes brings a wealth of experience to Edgar Street, cultivated over a 15-year playing career that saw him make over 350 senior appearances for notable clubs including Chesterfield, Bristol Rovers, Torquay United, and Cheltenham Town. His transition into coaching has been equally impressive, marked by his tenure as Assistant Manager to Gary Johnson at Torquay United from 2018.
His time at Torquay was particularly noteworthy. Downes stepped into the role of Interim Manager in February 2024 and demonstrated remarkable resilience, steering the club away from the National League South relegation zone despite facing significant challenges, including administration and an 11-point deduction.
Most recently, Downes served as Assistant Manager to Mike Flynn at Cheltenham Town from June 2024 until September 2025. His departure from the Robins coincided with Steve Cotterill's appointment as the new manager, paving the way for his current opportunity at Hereford.
Building a Strong Backroom Team
The new Hereford manager is set to bring familiar faces into his coaching staff. Former Hereford United midfielder, Harry Pell, is expected to join Downes, bolstering the technical expertise within the club. Furthermore, Downes hopes to retain the services of Adam Rooney as Player Coach and Shaun Edwards as Goalkeeping Coach, integrating them into his vision for the team.
Chairman's Confidence in Downes
Chris Ammonds, Chairman of Hereford FC, expressed his delight at securing Downes' services. "We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Aaron for him to become our new manager," Ammonds stated. "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."
Ammonds highlighted Downes' standout qualities during the selection process: "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."
The Chairman also revealed that Downes presented a comprehensive plan to address the club's current situation. "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." Ammonds confirmed that the club will support Downes in refreshing the squad in the coming weeks, expressing optimism for the partnership.
Downes' Vision for the Bulls
Speaking on his appointment, Downes conveyed his honour and eagerness to begin. "I am absolutely honoured to be given this opportunity and cannot wait to get started," he said. "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 my strong interest."
Acknowledging the current league standing, Downes remains confident in his ability to turn the season around. "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."
He further emphasised the importance of the fanbase: "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."
The National League North Landscape
The National League North is a highly competitive semi-professional football division in England, forming the sixth tier of the English football league system. It features 24 clubs from across the northern and midlands regions of England. The season typically runs from August to April, with teams battling for promotion to the National League, or facing relegation to the Northern Premier League and Southern Football League Premier Divisions.
This season, like many before it, is proving to be a tight contest, with teams vying for every point. Hereford FC's appointment of Downes signifies a strategic move to inject fresh energy and tactical acumen into their efforts to climb the table and avoid the drop. The coming weeks will be crucial as Downes implements his strategies and works to integrate new personnel into the squad.
The club's supporters will be keenly watching as the Bulls embark on this new chapter under Aaron Downes, with the hope that his experience and determination will lead them to a successful conclusion to the 2025/2026 season.
