It well known that Hereford's aim is to get back to the Football League. Back in 2006 they won the Conference final and then had two seasons in League Two before promotion to League One.
Whilst Hereford only spent one season in League One, supporters had away games at places like Leeds and Leicester. But, in truth, Hereford's budget could not sustain football at that level and the following season the Bulls were back in League Two.
This season the reformed club are hoping to reach the play-offs in the National North. If they do and then go on to be promoted the football budget will need to increase.
Across the country Dover face relegation from the National League to the National South, which is the same level as Hereford.
And their chairman, Jim Parmenter, feels it could be very difficult to get out of the National South unless there is more investment in his club.
“We have got to compete with the multi-million clubs, we have got to compete with the relegated clubs with the parachute payments and the big crowds so, unless there’s a big investment in Dover, I think it’s going to be very hard for us to get back to the National League.
“To compete in the National League now, you need £3 million to £4 million. The average playing budget in National League South I know is little more than £350,000 to £400,000."
Dover's National League budget was around £700,000.
"But our playing budget in the National League is nowhere near big enough to compete with the big clubs.
“People have to understand that the amount of money that's needed in this league now makes it uncompetitive for teams like Dover.
“You have got teams coming down, two a year, with a £1.5m parachute payment in their back pocket. Some of these bigger clubs are getting 5,000-10,000 crowds.
“They have got big catchment areas, big conurbations around them, and they are taking lots of money. We are working with a crowd, even when we were doing well in the National League, of maybe 1,100.
“We have got a 180-degree catchment area and we have never had a parachute payment in our life which, I think, is probably the biggest evil that’s ever hit football - and certainly the National League.”
Back to Hereford and this week they've launched Squad Budget 2022/23 which hopes to raise at least £50,000 towards the football budget which is currently thought to be around £400,000.
Should be Bulls be promoted then a much bigger budget would be needed just to stay in the National League. Where that money would come from is anybody's guess. The current structure of the club, which will soon be 50% owned by the Supporters Trust, means that further investment could happen through a share issue or similar. But only up to £1,000,000 of shares can be issued under the present articles of association. And no individual can own more than 10% of the club.
And if a decision was taken to increase the share capital would there be enough interest in buying shares in a club which can't be traded?
May be a rethink is required?