.jpg)
Hereford United chairman David Keyte wants more support for the club both from shareholders and supporters. He's warned that the club can't survive with gates of just 1600 unless there's either more cuts to the budget or an injection of cash.
Earlier this week Keyte sent a letter to shareholders detailing the current situation.
"They own the company, I'm one of those shareholders," Keyte told the OS.
"I've got 16%, there's another 84% of people out there who own Hereford United.
"We're a small company with a £1.5M turnover and then somebody (the Football League) takes £400,000 off you. That's 25% of the business.
"We went into the summer knowing that.
"We've cut our playing budget but I feel manager Martin Foyle has done a fantastic job with the budget he's got - a really young exciting team.
"The home record to date has been as good as it's been for years and the football has been entertaining.
"However what we could see was going to be very difficult is proving so.
"What I've flagged up to the shareholders is that was based on a little less attendance than in the football league but not 1,600.
"Some radical thinking is needed if that's going to be the new Hereford United. We've got a lot to do in cutting costs down to that level."
Keyte is aware that some supporters didn't agree with the £2 matchday price rise this season.
"It's only £2 above last year. It's half a pint somewhere in the week, or half a packet of cigarettes.
"If you want to go to the football, I think it's do-able, even allowing for the fact it's a very tough time out there at the moment.
"I don't think the increase is the main factor. Some people are saying the football is rubbish, why should I pay it, but we've had, at home, a very good start."
Keyte feels he had to write to the shareholders first, but hopes all supporters will help the club at this difficult time.
"It's an interesting mix. A private limited company owned by shareholders. We're just steering it for the shareholders.
"And steering it for the football supporters.
"There's 2 or 3,000 people who would like to be coming to Hereford United at different times and there's about 300 shareholders.
"Realistically crowds are not going to be where they have been in the last five or six years and we have to cut our cloth accordingly.
"The board in total makes 20% ownership, 80% is owned by people outside of the boardroom.
"It is an old shareholding register. We could probably name 8 or 10 people including HUISA who have 75% of the shares. The rest are spread out over nearly 300.
"We're in a situation where it needs to be wider than four people sitting in a boardroom.
"It's always healthy to get wider skills and knowledge. They are some cleverer people than me who might have some money that decide to keep it rather than put it in the football club. That's their choice but many hands make light work."
