HEREFORD MP Jesse Norman said he is pleased that the FA has charged Hereford United owner Alan McCarthy with misconduct.

The FA are investigating an alleged breach of their owners' and directors' test in that McCarthy has served as an officer at the club without their written confirmation that he can do so.

Both McCarthy and Hereford United have until Monday to respond to the charges.

"Thanks to the determination of Bulls fans, the FA and others are starting to wake up to the serious issues at Hereford United," said Norman.

"I am pleased that the FA has finally taken enforcement action against Mr McCarthy.

"But so much damage has been done to the club, and to the reputation of the owners' and directors' test.

"Whilst Andy Lonsdale now says that he has passed the ODT, he has been in a controlling position at the club for many months, apparently in breach of the FA’s rules.

"This is unacceptable and I am lobbying the FA to act to improve the test, and to increase their scrutiny of Hereford United."

Hereford United have already said they are in the process of making a response in light of the charges.

Meanwhile, the It's Our County group have called for a public inquiry to ascertain what exactly has happened at the Edgar Street club.

Councillor Jim Kenyon said: "People are entitled to know what has happened at Hereford United, and I will carry on until we know the whole story.

“All councillors have agreed that the main aim must be for football to continue to be played at Edgar Street."

It's Our County leader, Cllr Anthony Powers, added. "We have trusted the council’s administration to ensure that this can happen, and that whatever development takes place at Edgar Street in the future it would be to the benefit of football.

“The problems appear to go wider and deeper than we all thought, so it’s only right that there should be a public inquiry, not just another internal report."