HEREFORD United's directors have blamed the weather for failing to raise the £35,000 needed to get through December - and the club now expects to face a winding-up order.

The postponement of the New Year's Day home clash against Kidderminster Harriers meant the cash-strapped club failed to secure the £20,000 it had budgeted for through gate money and other purchases.

The players were paid in full on Tuesday but other staff members have been paid just 50 per cent of their wages for December, a club statement today revealed.

The club are now expecting a winding-up order, which could be heard within the next 30 days, due to non-payment of tax.

The total amount raised by supporters at 9am this morning stood at £20,629 following a directors' appeal to fans just before Christmas.

The break-down of the donations:

Donations at the Cambridge and Forest Green matches: £5,498.

Donations online via the club shop: £2,530.

Season ticket holders donations: £3,261.

Shares bought online: £4,150 (since the request for funds on December 19).

Shares bought in person: £5,190 (since the request for funds on December 19).

United hope to be able to confirm the signing of the new ground leases by January 13 and a telecommunications contract in the next seven days, says the club statement.

But, with no home game scheduled until January 18, the Bulls face a particularly tough month.