Exactly 50 years ago tomorrow non-league Hereford FC produced one of football’s most memorable and greatest ever giant killings.
On 5th February 1972, they humbled and humiliated the mighty Newcastle United – today hailed as the world’s richest club – in a thrilling and nerve jangling FA Cup third round replay at a bustling and brimming Edgar Street. Their famous 2-1 win has become football folklore. Excited home fans were filmed and beamed across the nation hanging out of trees watching the game. Some even brought deckchairs from home and sat on the touchline, so packed to capacity was the crowd.
And a half century on .. this David and Goliath match has been ALL the talk this week in Hereford… along with news that the city is ‘Passing GO’.
MONOPOLY bosses – who announced earlier this week that the city is getting its very own official version of the world’s most famous game – are now promising that the football club will go one – or even two or three better than in 1972 – and make it to……… Wembley, football’s Holy Grail.
The games bosses reveal today that a card WILL appear in the new brand new Hereford edition of the world’s most famous and popular board game declaring that Hereford FC are in an FA Cup FINAL at Wembley !
On Wednesday morning at Hereford Cathedral it was announced that the city had seen off 24 other places from across the West Midlands – including Warwick and Leamington Spa – to land its’ very own MONOPOLY game. The Mayor was there at the announcement as were TV film crews and a media scrum to announce the news.
At that announcement the public was invited to suggest Hereford landmarks to star on the famous MONOPOLY streets like Mayfair and Park Lane.
The new unique game will see the multi-coloured property squares all themed around Hereford and the cards customised too. So Hereford Cathedral, tipped to feature prominently in the game, could be players to own for just a few hundred MONOPOLY dollars, whilst getting stuck in traffic on the medieval Wye Bridge could see players sent ‘Back Three Spaces’. Castle Green may feature on a green square. Hereford Town Hall may land on the Whitehall space.
“But just about everything is still up for grabs,” says Ella Gibbs, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK, makers of this unique edition under official license from Hasbro.
Ms Gibbs has been in the city all this week.
She says:
“We launch boards all over the world from The Hamptons in New York State to Dubai and beyond – but the reception here has surpassed just about anything we’ve ever seen!
“I’ve loved every minute here this week in Hereford. The talk has been about that football game fifty years ago – and since yesterday our game. Which is fantastic and thank you everyone for all your support.”
“We will certainly be honouring the football club and yes lets send them to Wembley. The club is a huge part of the heart of Hereford. And that game – after the 1966 World Cup Final England win – is perhaps the most talked about match ever. Certainly in Hereford!”.
At the announcement that Hereford has landed the honour of its very own customised MONOPOLY game, the public was invited to suggest landmarks to feature on the board. “The game will reflect the flavour and feel of these suggestions,” adds Ms Gibbs. “ Thank you everyone for your great suggestions so far.”
The property sets will be themed: from heritage to shopping, culture to business – and more.
The train station quartet set that features on the classic original MONOPOLY will be handed over to a travel theme for the new Hereford edition. That’s because Hereford doesn’t have a multitude of main line stations to select from like in the London MONOPOLY original.
Bosses at Winning Moves UK say a variety of factors were used in deciding Hereford from across 25 cities and towns in the West Midlands and western Midlands. These factors include ‘pride’, ‘landmarks’, ‘beauty’ and ‘sense of family’.
Hereford saw off 24 West Midlands cities and towns to land the MONOPOLY honours for this year. There is a famous Community Chance card in the original MONOPOLY version which says: ‘You have won Second Prize in a Beauty Contest’. Well Hereford has now very much won FIRST prize!
In all 30+ Hereford landmarks and favourites will be showcased in the game.
The game will hit the shops this October (2022) – in time for Christmas. Suggestions for Hereford landmarks and cards to feature in the game, via these two ways: 1. By email to: hereford@winningmoves.co.uk . 2 Via the official Hereford MONOPOLY Facebook page. Polling closes at 23.59pm on 22nd February(2022).
