CHAIRMAN David Keyte is at ‘an advanced stage’ with an investor for cash-strapped Hereford United, he claimed tonight.

Keyte admitted United were facing the ‘most important week in the history of the club’.

United will be defending a winding-up petition on Monday, April 7 over a £78,000 payment owed to Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

An additional £300,000 cash injection is needed by the board by the end of May to keep the club alive.

Speaking to radio station talkSport shortly after 8pm tonight, Keyte claimed: “We are at advanced stages with the one (possible investor) – there is one that seems to have moved forward in front of the other one.

“They are fully aware of the timescale in terms of the immediate tax bill so if that’s going to happen (an investment), it would be nice if it was going to happen in the next seven days.

“I have been criticised in the past for saying too much too early about investments and we are working hard on this one.

“We knew that we had not been able to meet the tax, PAYE and VAT bill so we knew it was coming (the winding-up order) and we have been in discussion with the tax people because we have mainly got two parties we are talking to about investment - if not taking over the club.

“We had a delay with the public announcement (of the winding-up order) but we knew the winding-up order was going to be dated April and it was probably a week or so earlier than we had expected.”

The Hereford Times does not know the identity of the mystery investors.

United host Grimsby Town at Edgar Street tomorrow and Keyte is hoping for a crowd of around 2,500 fans.

“It would be nice to get three points – there’s a battle on the pitch – and the well-documented winding up order next Monday and we’ve got a bit to do," he said.

“Realistically, if the work that is going on produced a crowd of 3,000 it would be a great start to the week and any more than that would be a huge bonus.”

“It would be a huge ask to get any more than 2,500 to 3,000.”

Keyte said he had been criticised for ‘questioning the division among a small supporter base which appeared to be divided between a supporters’ association and supporters’ trust’.

“If we are not all pulling in the same direction then it will be very difficult to make a concerted effort in the next few days,” he said.

“The football club comes first above all else – it’s not about personalities or association or trusts it’s about everyone getting money into the till tomorrow and for the rest of the week.”

Keyte was interviewed by presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray.