HEREFORD FC manager Pete Beadle has thanked Mustapha Bundu and Sirdic Grant for the contributions they have made this season after both played their final game for the Bulls in an FA Vase Final loss to Morpeth Town at Wembley.

Neither player is allowed to play higher than step five of the non-league pyramid due to work permit issues, meaning they will not be part of the Hereford squad next season.

"Regardless of them not being able to play next year and regardless of anything else, they've contributed massively this season, so we're disappointed we can't keep them for next season," said Beadle.

"I don't think any game would have been the right send-off for them, because they don't won't to go.

"But unfortunately, we can't do that.

"The fact that they have appeared at the National Stadium will always be something that they will never forget, but they would have liked to have done it on different terms.

"Hopefully they will now finish what they've got to do at Hartpury educational wise and they'll go on to bigger and better things.

"They are two very good players and hopefully they'll achieve great things and play in a league that is suited to them.

"I think they can certainly play top-level football in may be one of the small Scandinavian countries to start with, but potentially, as they get older and get more experienced, the sky's the limit for both of them."

Bundu said this was his best year in football.

"I want to say thanks to everyone that has been involved in it – the fans, board, coaches and most importantly my team mates," Bundu told his Facebook followers.

"This is such a unique club and the professionalism that the back room staff, players and fans put in shows why we've achieved what we have this year.

"I have made new friends met new people and they are always gonna be in my heart."

Grant added: "It has been an unbelievable year.

"The fans have been unreal throughout the whole season and I will miss every single one associated with this club.

"But at the same time I have made friends that will always be part of my life and I can't thank them enough for an amazing time they've given me over the last 12 months."

Beadle says the link between the club and Hartpury has benefited both parties.

"The link-up between the two benefits both quite significantly because we give them an environment to play senior football and, as a football club, we get the ones we would like to bring in and there is a great pool of talent there," he said.

"We now have to recruit and bring in players in next year and to sit down and plan the budget and make sure we're even stronger next season."

Grant started last Sunday's final, but Bundu only came on in the second half .

"Mus didn't start, but he's still happy," said Hereford player Rob Purdie.

"They will be a big loss next season.

"Mus has been in and out the last few months, but you cannot deny his ability and Sid has been a revelation for us the last two months.

"So we'll miss them both but we trusted Beads to bring in the right players to the league and we trust him again to replace them with the right players."