NON-LEAGUE giants Hereford FC have agreed to visit Ludlow FC for a marquee pre-season friendly at Bromfield Road in July.

The Bulls, who play in National League North, two divisions below the Football League, will travel to Ludlow on Wednesday, July 17, for a 7.30pm kick-off.

Ludlow boss Chris Waldron says the game is a real coup for the West Midlands Division Two club, as well as being a test to relish for his players, who ply their trade six levels below Hereford.

Waldron said: “It will be a great event for the club and a great experience for the players. I’m hoping Hereford will bring a strong team.

“It’s something to look forward to, especially for the young lads here, and it will be fantastic for the town of Ludlow as well.

“It’s a great opportunity for the players to play in a fixture like this and we are expecting a great turnout from the supporters.

“Hereford have a good fan base in the Ludlow area too so it will give some of those supporters a chance to watch them closer to home.

“We emailed various clubs – Shrewsbury, Kidderminster, Hereford and others – to see if they would be prepared to bring a side to us.

“Tim Harris [Hereford Head of Football] was the only who got back and said he was willing to help. I think it’s fantastic that a club the size of Hereford are supporting grassroots football like this.

“I think the lower levels of football would be supported much more if other clubs did things like this. With the fan base Hereford have, this is something that will help support us throughout the season.”

The visit of the former Football League side is one of several friendlies Ludlow have already put in place for pre-season.

Waldron’s side will travel to Hellenic League outfit Newent Town as well as welcoming Welsh side Borth to Bromfield Road.

Having finished sixth in the league and reached the final of the League Cup in 2018-19, Waldron is hoping to retain most of his squad when pre-season begins.

He added: “We are always looking for new players but, at the same time, if everyone stayed on, I would be ecstatic.”