Points from Hereford United Text-In

During this evening's Hereford United text-in, chairman David Keyte commented on the playing budget.

He said that the budget would be much the same as for this season. This was not negative for two reasons. Firstly most clubs will have a reduced player budget next season and secondly there will be plenty of players available.

Last year the Bulls sold around 750 season tickets, this season they hope to sell around 1000.

"There are lots of good offers out there for families and young people," said vice-chairman Tim Russon.

The Club is hopeful that gates will average 2,700 to 2,800 next season.

Pre-season friendlies will include the Hereford FA Cup final at Westfields and other games at Ludlow on July 12 and Forest Green Rovers on July 30th.

The club is hoping to have 18 senior professionals next season plus a few youngsters including Kyle McCarthy who has agreed terms. McCarthy recently played for the Welsh under 19's in Norway.

Last season the club used 42 players. It is hoped that there will be less players used next season. It is expected that less loan players will come to Edgar Street although the chairman stressed there will be still be a budget for loan players.

Keyte said he would be involved with players contracts for next season. He also commented that there was unlikely to be money to buy players.

"I don't think that we will have to buy players at this level," he said.

Manager Jamie Pitman's release list will be made public by the weekend.

The new Sky TV deal with mean a £100,000 reduction in income for the Bulls.

The temporary stand in the Blackfriars End will be in place for next season.

"The plan is that it will come back for the start of the season," said Russon.

"Hopefully by this time next year we will be knocking down the Blackfriars End and buiding a new stand."

The youth development programme was mentioned.

"For the record we will have an under 12, under 14, under 16 and under 18 Hereford United teams," said Keyte.

"It will give the young lads of Herefordshire and the surrounding areas the chance of coming through and playing for Hereford United."

Hopefully the new lease for Edgar Street will soon be agreed.

"What we are doing now is that we are putting in place football for the next hundred years," said Russon.

The new away kit is not going to be orange but Russon wouldn't reveal any other details.

"We won't to keep you all guessing. It will probably be July until we un-veil it."

Keyte commented that he felt the new deal for season ticket holders which includes cup game was good value. There may be some kids for a quid matches next season but they were unlikely to be more than 6 or 7 games.

Season ticket finance will be available again.

"The six match booklet and the 12 match booklet seems to have gone down very well," said Keyte.

Finally the club is hopeful that both Russell Hoult and Dave Kevan will be alongside Jamie Pitman next season. Talks are currently underway with both of them.

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