Three left to sign

Of those players offered contracts, only three remain to commit themselves to Hereford United for another season, or leave.

In alphabetical order they are Sam Gwynne, Tamika Mkandwire, and Craig Stanley.

Sam Gwynne is still just 18 and although he is yet to start for Hereford United there is little doubt he is a talented midfielder.

Turner obviously rates him as he is often seen travelling with the first team even when not on the bench. Beleived to have been watched by Birmingham, Gwynne may need another season before he is a regular.

Tamika Mkandawire is the one player of the three every supporter hopes will stay at Edgar Street. Reported to have been offered the captain's armband as part of a new contract, Mkandawire has formed an excellent partnership with Dean Beckwith in defence and would be difficult to replace.

There is little doubt that he will leave Hereford United for a bigger club in the near future, but, like Andy Williams, he may feel another year under the guidance of Graham Turner will do his career no harm. In any case Turner will probably agree to a clause in any contract allowing him to talk to other clubs.

Swansea City are one club rumoured to have tracked Mkandawire recently.

Craig Stanley has matured as a player in the past season. His partnership with Andy Ferrell in the heart of midfield still needs working on, but Stanley is young enough to improve.

Recent speculation linking the midfielder with Exeter suggests that Turner may not have made him, in his opinion, a very good offer. Perhaps the Hereford United manager sees Stanley as no more than a squad player in Division Two.

On the other hand most players have agents and it is not difficult to feed a story to the press with the intention of trying to get a better deal.

Whatever the truth, Graham Turner told those players offered contracts he wanted answers from them quickly.

"They have been given a set period of time to consider the offers presented to them," Turner said last month.

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