LONG-SERVING Hereford player Rob Purdie believes the club are closer to supporters than ever before.

Purdie has seen it all during a 15 year association with the Bulls over five spells after making his debut in 2002.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed the highs of gaining promotion to the Football League with Hereford United and winning the treble with the reformed Hereford FC last season.

But he also saw United relegated back to the Conference in 2012 and the controversial takeover by Tommy Agmobar two years later.

Purdie has now played over 400 games for Hereford and says he was delighted to share the moment with the Bulls fans.

"You cannot fault the fans since the club was reformed, they've been different class," said Purdie.

"But they demand perfection because of where we are now.

"You get a lot of egos in the Football League and Conference and a lot of 'frauds'.

"In the last few years, the relationship has been a lot closer.

"I think the whole club has been galvanized.

"No one ever wanted Hereford United to be liquidated but the way it's gone about, I think it has been for the better.

"If Agombar and Lonsdale had paid the money, would many fans have gone if they were a mid-table Southern Premier side?

"But we are getting 3,000 fans and are going places."

However, Purdie does concede that it will only get tougher the higher the Bulls go.

"The long term plan is to get to at least Conference North or South, but it will be a big difference," said Purdie.

"Hereford are never going to have a benefactor or, if they did, it will have to be out of the city.

"But when they did that before they went bust."

Purdie says last season's success will always remain special to him.

"I didn't understand how significant it was until this season when Westfields were flying at the start of the season and then had their cup run and started to stumble," said Purdie.

"For us to to get to three cup finals and win the league is particularly special.

"People bang on about budgets and our fans base, but you've still got to get the players with the right attitude.

"That first year will always be a highlight for me.

"I will play on now until I start to struggle.

"It's different because I've played at the level that we're trying to get to, but I will have to adapt my game in the next two years and be a holding central midfielder rather than making overlapping runs down the wing.

"As long as I'm well enough for next season, then I will carry on."