HEREFORD United have once again failed to pay their staff wages.

But there could be brighter prospects ahead, according to Bulls chairman David Keyte.

“We have not been able to meet the March wage-bill in full,” he admitted.

“Our last three home games have been the equivalent of one match, financially.

“We have come up with a hardship scheme whereby if any of the staff are desperate to pay their mortgage, or whatever, on the first of the month then they will get some of their money.

“But we’ve not been able to give them their full figure, by any means.

“Whenever we get something in, then they will get some more,” said the chairman.

“But for the first ever, let alone during my period here, we failed to pay the expenses last Tuesday from the crowd of 662.

“We didn’t even have enough to pay the referee and the linesmen.”

Keyte and his board are hoping, however, that there may finally be some light at the end of the financial tunnel.

“There is an overseas investor that we have been working on for about four months,” he said.

“I actually thought that it would have been through by now – there are some banking system hang-ups or something.

“If it comes off, then I can probably put my cheque book away for about three years.”

To make following the Bulls a more attractive proposition for next season, the United board have completely revamped the season-ticket and match-day-ticket pricing structure.

“The prices have been slashed in most areas,” said Keyte. “And particularly on the terracing – we thought that it was right to get a bigger differential between the seating and the terracing.

“We gave it a bit of thought – the older supporters, who have been so loyal to us over many years, are the ones who are taking their seats each season.

“We’re not by any means taking them for granted it’s just that now we have to attract the younger generation, who are not coming out, on to the terraces.”

A seat for an under-15 is £35 for the season and a place on the terraces can be had for just £30 for the 2013-4 campaign.

An adult terrace concessionary season ticket is available for just £130, £5.65 per match, or £180 at full price, under £8 per game.

An adult and two children will be able to attend next season for the same price as an adult has this season.

Match-day terrace ticket prices have also been reduced by £4 per match to £12 each. “As a club we need 2,000 or even 2,500 each game – these things are interlinked; a deserted stadium does not help the players but a good group of fans giving positive vocal support can help to make this a successful club,” said the Bulls chairman.

Keyte said that the Starlite Rooms had, since September when the set-up costs had been covered, started making serious money for the club.

“The takings are about £4,000 per week – match-days look after themselves but that is only 23 occasions or maybe 25 with cup-ties – each year,” he said.

“We have to look at 365 days a year so we are varying the functions to get a different clientele in – we are seeing different people who would not readily come to football as a rule.”

Keyte is also hopeful that the redevelopment of the two ends of the ground is now also set to move forward.

“We are meeting with a hotel chain on April 16 to talk about the Blackfriars St End’s possibilities.

“At the Meadow End, it’s likely to be residential – city-centre apartment type accommodation.”