HEREFORD United Supporters Trust (HUST) has secured overwhelming support for a Hereford FC phoenix club bid.

Having recommended the proposal to members, the HUST Board today (Thurs) confirmed a 96.71% vote in favour.

The result will now give Hereford FC a mandate to take on negotiations with Herefordshire Council and the FA.

Apart from email votes, HUST received more than eighty via telephone to a special voicemail number.

The phoenix club is proposed by a consortium of county businessman in the wake of Hereford United (1939) Ltd being wound up.

Jon Hale, front man for the group, along with HUST’s Chris Williams and Martin Watson, and governance director Phil Eynon, set out plans to support ers at a packed Hereford Welsh Club last week.

Around 300 fans attended the open meeting, which led to some having to listen to proceedings from another room due to the venue reaching its capacity.

The consortium told supporters that they would budget for gates of 650 for next season with the team wearing white home strips, emblazoned with the Hereford Bull.

A competition would be held to determine the colour of the away kit and what the new club badge would look like.

The group is being backed by three unknown benefactors, who will each pump in £50,000.

These benefactors were not publically named at the meeting, however, because they will become shareholders, their identities will be revealed via the Companies House website.

It was confirmed that HUST will receive 50% of shares, with 30% being split between the three benefactors. The remaining 20% can be purchased by anyone else, with one share costing £1, and a minimum investment required of £1,000.

“The original decision to set the minimum share purchase at £2,000 was taken as it was felt this would encourage people who are keen to buy smaller share - holdings to do that via HUST,” said Mr Hale.

“However, after observations made at last week’s meeting and messages we have received over the past couple of days, we are happy to rethink our initial plan and reduce the mini mum share purchase to 1,000 £1 shares.”

The group also confirmed that becoming a tenant of Edgar Street is vital to their plans, which would become difficult if it does not come to fruition.

Herefordshire Council’s cabinet meets today (Thurs) to start talks on the future for Edgar Street.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that a group of supporters, called HUFCtoo, are putting together a plan for an alternative community-owned club and want fans to help them.

This group has yet to contact the Hereford Times.