THE iconic Meadow End may have a future after all after Herefordshire Council allayed fears it would be removed completely from the Edgar Street leases.

The terraced stand has witnessed countless historic moments over the past 90 years, most notably when Ronnie Radford hit “that goal” against Newcastle in 1972.

The council, which is currently in the process of inviting offers from groups interested in the ground, left the terraced Meadow End and Blackfriars End off the area to be leased when drawing up a design of the ground, saying they needed “considerable expenditure”.

But it has now backtracked, saying that the Meadow End is not completely removed from the lease.

“The potential tenant will have access but if they wish to make greater use of the stands than is stipulated in the lease they will need to specify this within their expression of interest,” said a council spokesman.

The Meadow End was open throughout Hereford United’s tenure in the Southern Football League Premier Division this season before the club was wound up in the High Court just before Christmas.

The council, which confirmed that the stadium’s floodlights and toilets are part of the lease, said the new occupier would have to renew the ground’s safety certificate.

“That will be their respon sibility,” said a council spokesman.

“Subject to those being satisfactorily renewed football could be viewed from the Meadow End by August.

The council also said that the Blackfriars End will also be open for access and maintenance purposes and, through negotiation with the preferred tenants, any further use will be agreed.

A bid by lifelong Hereford United fan Jon Hale, and supported by the Hereford United Supporters Trust (HUST), is the only publicly named group which has put its name forward so far.

The group’s commercial property specialist will be visiting Edgar Street to examine the current state of repair to ascertain how much investment will be needed.

Any interested party has to express their interest to the council by February 19.

But Hale said his group are concerned that only a two-and-a-half year lease has been proposed.

“Although we understand Herefordshire Council’s desire to be cautious after recent events, we are concerned by the short duration of the lease that is being proposed,” he said.

“A two-and-a-half year-lease makes it very hard to build foundations for future
generations and also ask anyone to invest in the club by buying shares because, on the surface, there appears to be little long-term security beyond the short lease.

“Having spoken to senior figures within HUST, they also share our concerns about the length of the lease.

“To make recommendations and ask for financial support from their members when there seems to be no security of tenure at Edgar Street is difficult for them.”

Meanwhile, HUST vice-chairman Martin Watson has confirmed that some trophies and pictures left at Edgar Street have been secured, while a ticket machine and CCTV equipment will be made available to
Hereford FC.

However, it is understood that the Official Receiver is in possession of the accounts computer as part of their investigation into Hereford United’s financial affairs.

And a competition to design Hereford FC’s club badge has now opened.
Email your designs to liaison@hufctrust.co.uk by February 13.