THE new man in charge of Hereford FC says he is pleased there have been no incidents of fan trouble at recent games.

Ken Kinnersley was announced as the Bulls' new chairman following a board meeting on Tuesday.

The 72-year-old, who served in The Army for 26 years as a Captain and Acting Major, replaces Jon Hale, who stood down from the role last October.

Four Bulls games were investigated by the Football Association earlier this season, while the club also conducted their own enquiries into an incident that occurred following the home match against Paulton Rovers last October.

Hereford subsequently issued banning orders to three supporters that were effective up until June 30, 2017.

But Kinnersley confirmed one order was lifted after meeting the supporter and the only charge the club has received from the FA was for the away game at Alvechurch last season.

"We would never want to stop swearing because that's part of football, but we do not expect supporters to constantly abuse people, it's not acceptable," said Kinnersley.

"If families and the future supporters are driven away and don't come back, then there won't be a football club left.

"The last thing we want to do is ban people, but sometimes you've got to make an example.

"One ban has been lifted because we had a letter of apology that was heartfelt.

"The person came in and had an interview with me and signed an undertaking of good behaviour.

"The incident was out of character and because of his conduct afterwards, the ban was lifted immediately.

"The magnificent support we have seen against Bishops Cleeve and Evesham show what a special club this is, and on behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to thank fans for their vocal encouragement and faultless behaviour at both games.

"I am hugely protective of the reputation this club has built over the past 18 months and when I see support like we have had at the past two fixtures, I feel nothing but pride about what everyone who cares about the club is trying to build here.

"I will do all I can in my new role to ensure our club continues to grow and would ask all fans to keep up the incredible support that they have offered Hereford FC, both on and off the field."

Kinnersley added that it can be difficult for clubs to host Hereford's large away following and it could be something for the Football Association to look at in the future.

"My personal view is that the FA didn't give enough consideration into placing us in the football pyramid," he said.

"I appreciate it would be unfair for other teams that are competing in the lower leagues, but it puts an awful onus on clubs when we are playing away and taking 600 to 800 fans when they usually get 75 to 125.

"Maybe it needs to be looked at if another club rises from the result of bankruptcy.

"The host clubs have to increase their bar facilities and toilets to cope with our excellent away followings.

"I write to every club in advance if there are any potential issues that may arise.

"The Southern League are copied in and they appreciate that we are doing this, especially if there is the potential of trouble from people not connected to either club."

The Bulls are odds-on favourites to gain promotion from Southern League Division One South & West, with the club's long-term aim of gaining Football League status.

A bumper crowd of 4,406 watched the Bulls beat Evesham United 2-1 on Monday – the club's 21st league win of the season.

The massive gate – the highest for a Hereford FC league fixture – beat seven League Two attendances and one in League One.

But Kinnersley is realistic enough to know that those sort of attendances would be hard to sustain the higher the club goes through the pyramid.

"As we move forward, the standard of competition is going to get stronger and the wage bill higher," said Kinnersley.

"And that will have a knock-on effect with attendances, the fans have to realise that.

"But if we continue to play the style of football that fans want, I think they will be happy with that.

"We have found good players at this level and I think the target at the start was two promotions in three seasons.

"But we are still going to make sure that the football club remains sustainable.

"Promotion would be nice, but finance is king and we've got to be run within our means."

Hereford manager Pete Beadle said that Monday's attendance was 'phenomenal' and hopes the non-regular fans will return to Edgar Street.

"It would be nice to keep a few more of them," said Beadle.

"We are averaging 2,600, but we had 4,400 on Monday, so where are those ones?

"Come on, you need to come out and keep supporting the team and stick behind them because most of the team we do play decent stuff.

"All we can keep doing is doing what we're doing, but they were brilliant and we gave them a good New Year's present."