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| Jon Hale |
Hereford chairman Jon Hale has said that he is delighted fans can start returning to Edgar Street from next Tuesday evening when the Bulls play Shrewsbury in a pre-season friendly.
"We will hope to see a good crowd," said Hale.
"It's very obvious that people are excited to get back to Edgar Street.
"We've all missed it, we've been through a really difficult period. It will be lovely to come back.
"It's been a very long time coming but we're all very excited to see people back."
Hale is very pleased that over 1000 season tickets have been sold.
"Some of those are deferrals from last season but there is a very strong number of new season ticket purchases and I think there will be plenty more between now and the start of the season.
"To have that season ticket money and that season ticket commitment is obviously huge for us at this time in the season. We would like to thank everybody who has done that so far."
Hale watched last Tuesday's friendly at Westfields.
"I thought they looked very sharp, I know Josh was very pleased.
"I think there were four new signings who started on Tuesday, I thought they all looked very assured, very fit and I think they will fit into the side very well.
"Some players have gone that Josh wanted to keep but the play-offs have to be the ambition and anything better than that would be wonderful.
"During pre-season there will be a number of trialists whilst he looks to fill those positions. I know he's getting closer on an experienced center-half, we're hoping that might be done next week.
"He knows he's got positions to fill, he wants a squad of around twenty players so we've got good strength in depth. He also wants plenty of utility players that can play in different positions."
The club bars should be open for Tuesday's friendly and Hale is delighted they are back in-house.
"I think it gives us massive flexibility going forward. We are all about engaging with supporters on match days and on non-match days.
"We have fantastic facilities here which, perhaps, haven't been used as much as they should have been in the last few years. Now we have the opportunity to run things as we want to run them and open up bars, meeting rooms, hospitality outside of match day. That's going to be a vital source of income for us and ultimately helps Josh with his playing budget.
"We want people to look at Hereford FC and this stadium and think this is something that isn't just a football stadium."
Jon Hale spoke to Keith Hall yesterday at Edgar Street.