Hereford United have received two pieces of welcome good news about the re-development of their Edgar Street headquarters.

An agreement has been reached with Herefordshire Council on a new ground lease which should ultimately bring the re-development not only of the Blackfriars End but of the Meadow End, too.

And, with work ahead of schedule, fans will, barring any last-minute hiccups, be able to have their first look at, and drink in, the newly refurbished Sportsman’s Club on Boxing Day.

“We have traded in the two leases which were in force for one single lease which covers the whole of the Edgar Street ground,” said club vice-chairman Tim Russon.

“We can then sub-let a portion of the land at the back of the Blackfriars End and the Meadow End to achieve re-development.”

A 250-year sub-lease should be a key feature in attracting development partners with the aim being to build a business-class hotel, incorporating a new stand, at the Blackfriars End.

A similar arrangement at the Meadow End, possibly incorporating housing, would eventually enable redevelopment there, too.

“We have set a 12-month target to get the plans and the funding together for the Blackfriars End stand,” said Russon.

“We hope to be able to apply to the Football Foundation where a maximum of £750,000, or 50 per cent of the stand development cost, could be available.

“Herefordshire Council has been very supportive and has said it is open to any planning application while we have also been talking to Visit Herefordshire who are very supportive of the idea of a business-class hotel.”

Fans should be able to get a first look inside the renamed Starlite Rooms, when United take on Port Vale in a League 2 clash at Edgar Street on Boxing Day (kick-off 1.30pm).

It is planned to use the downstairs bar with the upstairs facility opening in the New Year in time for the 40-year celebration of the famous FA Cup victory over Newcastle United.

“We are inviting all of the Giantkillers back for celebrations on the weekend of February 11, when we play Cheltenham Town here,” said Russon.

“John Motson will be coming, too.

“In the New Year, we are hoping to unveil a special programme of events around the celebrations.”

The Bulls will be looking for their first win in two months when they take on Port Vale, a game for which United fans aged 16 and under can gain admission for £2.

l Last week, some of the Bulls players took time out from training to drop off gifts at Hereford County Hospital.

Harry Pell, Nathan Elder, Joe Colbeck and Delroy Facey chatted with young patients with Edgar the Bull bringing a smile to everyone’s faces.

“The children get so excited about Hereford United players visiting,” said children’s ward matron Fiona Blackwell. “It makes them feel special at a time when they should be at home. It helps to improve their health and wellbeing.

“The look on the children’s faces was so wonderful.”