MY thanks to the many real Hereford United fans and taxpayers who sent messages in support of recent action by the council.

The position is not yet fully resolved but we have received £52,000 of outstanding amounts owed as a result of that action.

There is, however, another section out there who care little about football and even less about the fans and seek merely to make political mischief of anything.

The mindless tweets and emails say much about those who write them. Their purpose is to damage the council, not to support the club. So, self-publicists jump in front of every camera they see. They ring newspapers with every rumour they hear or concoct and, incidentally, came close to damaging our defence of their interests last week.

True fans are rightly angry and anxious about the club and can be assured that we will do everything legally possible to keep football at Edgar Street.

To keep you informed, we have published a range of material about HUFC on the council website along with the development agreement.

You will see from this information that we have responded, as we must, to enquiries from people with an interest in running the club in the event that HUFC is wound up.

This information should be read in conjunction with the development agreement, which includes a number of restrictions.

We are, of course, obliged to conduct HUFC matters within the law, but that will not prevent us acting vigorously to protect your interests, which is our sole motivation.

We are always happy to answer questions from real fans and taxpayers, but ask for your patience as we work towards the winding-up petition on December 1.

TONY JOHNSON Leader, Herefordshire Council