During the summer of 2013, Hereford lost three of their key players from the previous season, including top goalscorer Ryan Bowman. Bowman, along with Marley Watkins and Sam Clucas, were offered contracts but all three signed elsewhere, meaning Hereford were to be awarded a fee for each player at tribunal at a later date.
On 10 January 2014, Hereford were placed under a transfer embargo.[3]
Manager Martin Foyle and his assistant Andy Porter left the club on 19 March 2014, with youth team manager Peter Beadle taking over as caretaker the following day.[1][2]
Hereford entered the final day of the season in the relegation zone and needed to win at Aldershot Town combined with Chester failing to win at home to Salisbury City in order to stay up.[4] Going into the 86th minute, Chester were winning 2–1 whilst Hereford were drawing 1–1 and looking certain to be relegated. Chester then conceded an equaliser before Michael Rankine scored an 88th-minute winner for Hereford to completely change the outcome in the space of two minutes, and ensuring Hereford avoided relegation.[4][5]
This season Hereford gave future West Ham and England forward Jarrod Bowen his first appearances in professional football.
On 10 June 2014, the club was expelled from the Football Conference despite their final day survival, meaning they would be demoted to the Southern League Premier Division and Chester reprieved from relegation.[6][7] The club commenced their campaign in the Southern League the following season, but would go on to be wound-up in court on 19 December 2014.[8]
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2014. Source: Football Conference Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (R) Relegated Notes:
^Aldershot Town deducted ten points for entering administration
^ abOn 10 June 2014, Hereford United were expelled from the Conference due to financial irregularities. They were later accepted into the Southern League.[44] Because of this, Chester were reprieved from relegation.[45]
^On 13 June 2014, Salisbury City were demoted to the Conference South due to financial irregularities. Because of this, Dartford were reprieved from relegation.[46] Salisbury were subsequently expelled from the Football Conference altogether on 4 July 2014, after which they went into liquidation.
