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| Chris Williams (HUST), Trevor Owens (BBC H&W) and Keith Dodd (HUISA) |
This news was given to tonight's supporters meeting at Edgar Street.
And it was also revealed that the board has decided that the club is not going into administration on or before this coming Thursday, so, for now there will not be a ten point deduction.
At the meeting itself the main item was how to raise the £78K required by the club to pay HMRC or face another winding up order.
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| Director Bob Pritchard |
There were lots of fundraising ideas put forward by supporters but also the realisation that it would be a very hard task to raise that sort of money over a short period of time.
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| Supporters At The Meeting |
The whole meeting was streamed by Martin Watson but that nearly didn't happen as director Bob Pritchard strongly objected because he felt some confidential information might have been broadcast. After several minutes delay Pritchard relented.
Owens opened the meeting and then Chris Williams (HUST chairman) spoke followed by Keith Dodd (HUISA chairman).
Williams said that the meeting was to 'collate views' about how to keep the club afloat. 'Don't underestimate the task'.
Dodd said he didn't want to see an AFC Hereford United and wanted to 'maintain Hereford United'.
A message of support from MP Jesse Norman was then read out.
Rob Purdie then spoke to the meeting on behalf of the players. He said that the players had received some money today which had been shared out according to need.
Purdie praised the fans who had travelled to Barnet last Saturday. 'We'll all in this together'. However he said the PFA had been approached to help the players but they had declined.
There was a suggestion from the floor that there should be a bucket collection for the players and staff at next Saturday's game.
'We want to earn our money from the club' said Purdie.' We can get by, the money could be used a little bit better elsewhere.'
Another supporter suggested a loan for the players from HUST and HUISA which could be paid back when the club eventually pays them.
The staff should be included. Lee (club secrectary) is being paid for just 1.5 days work per week at present said another.
'The change of manager had given the players a lift' said Purdie.
Director Bob Pritchard then spoke. He confirmed the club were in discussions with two interested parties about the Blackfriars End but admitted it could be three years before completion.
Asked about the ACV, Pritchard said 'I do think it will hinder the development, it could stop someone selecting our site.'
Questioned about the leases, Pritchard said there would be no forfeit of the leases if the club goes into administration, but there would be if the club was liquidated.
'The problem is cash, you go bust because of no cash.'
Then it was back to Chris Williams who said that with just four home games remaining there was no way one could raise £300k, the figure chairman David Keyte suggested was needed to get the club through until next season.
Keith Dodd said 'we can't let this club die' and pleaded with supporters to attend as many functions as they can.
One supporter then stated that liquidation was the only way unless someone takes the club over.
Keith Hall, H&W's Hereford United reporter, then spoke about 'prioritising the debts'. 'We need to know how much is owed then we know the objective'. One suggestion was to ensure there's plenty of publicity for the last home game of the season as there were no premiership games that day.
He also wanted to check with the council about the leases should the club go into liquidation.
At this point Bob Pritchard gave more details as to what is currently owed by the club. £78K to HMRC which is due in two weeks, £22K to Football Creditors which has to be paid by June 3rd, the date of the Conference AGM. This figures don't include any money that might have to be paid to Martin Foyle and Andy Porter.
'The club is not going into administration on Thursday,' Pritchard confirmed.
Then followed more suggestions from the floor about fundraising ideas including a collection at Newcastle United, e-mailing supporters, £5 50/50 draw on Saturday, beer festival, membership club for supporters.
Councillor and landlord of the Victory, Jim Kenyon, said he would donate two barrels of beer a week to the club.
Then several views questioning whether it was worth raising more money.
'We gave money before, would we do it again, is it worth it?'
'Sticking plaster, no direction'.
'Going around in circles, nothing from Keyte'.
Towards the end director Dave Preedy told the meeting that the live streming had resulted in a supporter offering several football shirts as prizes.
But it was a reality check when one supporter said '£78K in two weeks, when will the next crisis come'.
The Tupsley Whites told the meeting that Ronnie Radford was to be their guest at the Gateshead match on April 12th and there would be an event that evening in the Starlite Rooms.
It was noted by another supporter that the Kidderminster Supporters Trust had raised £50K in two weeks when the Harriers were in deep trouble a couple of years ago. Could HUST do likewise?
Several more comments were made before Trevor Owens finished the meeting.
Owens opened the meeting and then Chris Williams (HUST chairman) spoke followed by Keith Dodd (HUISA chairman).
Williams said that the meeting was to 'collate views' about how to keep the club afloat. 'Don't underestimate the task'.
Dodd said he didn't want to see an AFC Hereford United and wanted to 'maintain Hereford United'.
A message of support from MP Jesse Norman was then read out.
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| Rob Purdie |
Purdie praised the fans who had travelled to Barnet last Saturday. 'We'll all in this together'. However he said the PFA had been approached to help the players but they had declined.
There was a suggestion from the floor that there should be a bucket collection for the players and staff at next Saturday's game.
'We want to earn our money from the club' said Purdie.' We can get by, the money could be used a little bit better elsewhere.'
Another supporter suggested a loan for the players from HUST and HUISA which could be paid back when the club eventually pays them.
The staff should be included. Lee (club secrectary) is being paid for just 1.5 days work per week at present said another.
'The change of manager had given the players a lift' said Purdie.
Director Bob Pritchard then spoke. He confirmed the club were in discussions with two interested parties about the Blackfriars End but admitted it could be three years before completion.
Asked about the ACV, Pritchard said 'I do think it will hinder the development, it could stop someone selecting our site.'
Questioned about the leases, Pritchard said there would be no forfeit of the leases if the club goes into administration, but there would be if the club was liquidated.
'The problem is cash, you go bust because of no cash.'
Then it was back to Chris Williams who said that with just four home games remaining there was no way one could raise £300k, the figure chairman David Keyte suggested was needed to get the club through until next season.
Keith Dodd said 'we can't let this club die' and pleaded with supporters to attend as many functions as they can.
One supporter then stated that liquidation was the only way unless someone takes the club over.
Keith Hall, H&W's Hereford United reporter, then spoke about 'prioritising the debts'. 'We need to know how much is owed then we know the objective'. One suggestion was to ensure there's plenty of publicity for the last home game of the season as there were no premiership games that day.
He also wanted to check with the council about the leases should the club go into liquidation.
At this point Bob Pritchard gave more details as to what is currently owed by the club. £78K to HMRC which is due in two weeks, £22K to Football Creditors which has to be paid by June 3rd, the date of the Conference AGM. This figures don't include any money that might have to be paid to Martin Foyle and Andy Porter.
'The club is not going into administration on Thursday,' Pritchard confirmed.
Then followed more suggestions from the floor about fundraising ideas including a collection at Newcastle United, e-mailing supporters, £5 50/50 draw on Saturday, beer festival, membership club for supporters.
Councillor and landlord of the Victory, Jim Kenyon, said he would donate two barrels of beer a week to the club.
Then several views questioning whether it was worth raising more money.
'We gave money before, would we do it again, is it worth it?'
'Sticking plaster, no direction'.
'Going around in circles, nothing from Keyte'.
Towards the end director Dave Preedy told the meeting that the live streming had resulted in a supporter offering several football shirts as prizes.
But it was a reality check when one supporter said '£78K in two weeks, when will the next crisis come'.
The Tupsley Whites told the meeting that Ronnie Radford was to be their guest at the Gateshead match on April 12th and there would be an event that evening in the Starlite Rooms.
It was noted by another supporter that the Kidderminster Supporters Trust had raised £50K in two weeks when the Harriers were in deep trouble a couple of years ago. Could HUST do likewise?
Several more comments were made before Trevor Owens finished the meeting.