Promotion will help the Finances

Promotion to League Division Two will help the finances of Hereford United.

Whilst it is too early to say how much extra income could accrue to the club next season, it is almost certain admission and season ticket prices will rise. However Graham Turner and his directors may decide to keep any rise at around £1 per game as a thank you to the loyal supporters who have kept backing the team during its time in the Conference.

One area of income that is certain to rise is from television.

In an interview before yesterday's game, the chairman of Halifax revealed what promotion would have meant to his team and there is no doubt the figures would also apply to Hereford United.

"Winning promotion would be a massive step forward. There will be more money and bigger gates. You rarely get big away followings in the Conference (other than from Hereford -ed). I can remember a game when we had 14 supporters in the away end and nine stewards," said chairman Geoff Ralph.

Clubs in the Conference receive around £25,0000-a-year from the Football League compared to £375,000 in League Two. When a home game is televised by Sky, clubs are paid £65,000 in League Two and just £5,000 in the Conference.

And for Hereford the prospects of higher gates is a real one. Local derbies against Shrewsbury, Chester, Swindon, Wrexham, Walsall, Bristol Rovers and possibly Cheltenham should be lucrative.

Of course, expenses and wages will rise, but if Graham Turner and his board still to the principle that has kept Hereford United afloat - not living beyond ones means - that £800,000 debt could soon be a lot less.

In any case the financial rewards from getting to the play-off final this season will have already has helped. It should be noted that Turner only has 19 players on the books at present and one of those, Wayne Brown, is on-loan from Chester.

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