Ferrell - Follow Bulls' path to promotion

12:15pm Thursday 15th May 2008

HARRIERS midfielder Andy Ferrell believes the club should draw inspiration from Hereford United if they are to launch a promotion campaign in the Blue Square Premier next season.

The 24-year-old, who is expected to sign a new deal to keep him at Aggborough next season (more details) , has watched enviously as his former club won promotion to League One by finishing third in League Two.

Only two seasons ago he was part of the squad that saw the Bulls win promotion to the Football League and has watched how Graham Turner built on that success with the club's second promotion in three years.

"I was so happy to see Hereford win promotion. It's a great well-run club and I still have a lot of time for everyone there," said Ferrell.

"It just goes to show what happens if you can get on a roll.

"Three years ago Harriers were playing Hereford in the Conference and after two promotions they're a League One side."

Harriers will have to be more consistent next season if they are to secure a top-five place and the play-offs in the Blue Square Premier in the 2008-2009 season after finishing 13th.

The Aggborough side recorded excellent results against the teams in play-offs, doing the double of Burton and Cambridge and taking three points off Exeter at home in September.

However, Mark Yates' side dropped vitals points against teams battling relegation, including away defeats to Droylsden and Altrincham and drawing with Northwich Victoria and Farsley Celtic.

Ferrell said: "When you see the teams in the play-offs we know that we should have done better this season.

"We have got good results against the teams in the promotion shake-up but we let ourselves down because we weren't consistent enough.

"That is something we need to improve on next season because the least we'll be concentrating on is the play-offs.

"Even though the season didn't go well as a team, personally it was one of my best.

"I had a slow start but once I got going I thought I did a good job, particualrly in the middle of the season before I was hit by injury."

The central midfielder also won race reviews in Harriers' final two games against Burton and Woking as an emergency left-back.

"When I was at Newcastle I played in central midfield or at left back, so it's a role I know well.

"I was taught that even if the ball gets past me the man doesn't, and that's a philosophy I try to employ every time I play.

"I will probably end up playing left-back when I am older but at the moment I want to play in central midfield," added Ferell.

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