FORMER Hereford United captain David Norton is hoping history does not repeat itself at Edgar Street today.

The 47-year-old midfielder endured the agony of relegation from the Football League in 1997 when Brighton stayed up at the Bulls’ expense following a 1-1 draw between the sides.

Fast forward 15 years and United find themselves needing to beat Torquay United today, while hoping Barnet don’t win at Burton Albion.

Norton described being relegated as “like someone had stabbed me in the heart” and doesn’t want Richard O’Kelly’s current Hereford crop to experience the feeling.

Norton said: “I would tell the players not to think about defeat — the pain comes after and I am praying that it won’t happen. I would be gutted to see Hereford get relegated.

“The players have got to have passion, pride and must be willing to give everything.

“If they can do that, they will be one step ahead of Torquay.

“If you all care and have passion and pride you can beat anyone and that’s the biggest thing — it’s like a two-goal start.

“It’s not just me, every player in the Hereford squad that got relegated in 1997 will say the same thing.

“Being relegated from the Football League is the worst feeling you can have in football, apart from retiring.

“The prize is better than winning the FA Cup.”