HUGH Brooks has stepped down as financial director at Hereford FC and is being replaced by qualified accountant Mike Cole. 

Brooks is moving aside due to family commitements and because the role is now more time consuming that first invisaged.

However, he will still offer advice to the board as and when required. 

Cole runs is own accountancy practice in Lugwardine and, prior to that, worked for his father in Bromyard. 

He has been a fan of Hereford since the mid 1970s, with Dixie McNeil scoring a hat-trick during his first game – a 3-1 win against Preston North End.

Cole's father, Tony, is well known at Edgar Street as he was instrumental in setting up the ‘Save Our Soccer’ appeal in 1982, which helped the club through a very rocky period.

A keen footballer himself, Mike was captain of his university team, (which went on to win British Colleges Championship in 1991), and has since played locally for Holme Lacy, Westfields, Presteigne, Llandrindod Wells, Wellington and Fownhope.

He still plays a bit of midweek football, but work and family commitments have curtailed his appearances most recently.

"We are sad to see Hugh step aside but completely respect his reasons for doing so," said Hereford chairman Jon Hale.

"On behalf of everyone at Edgar Street, I’d like to thank Hugh for the huge part he’s played in the progress we have made so far – the knowledge and experience he brought to the table from the days when he worked at Hereford United as they returned to the Football League was invaluable.

"We look forward to seeing Hugh back at Edgar Street as a supporter in the future, he will always be guaranteed a warm welcome."

Meanwhile, speaking about his new role, Mike Cole said: “I am honoured and very excited to be involved with Hereford FC, but am aware how fragile the finances of non-league clubs can be.

"The board, staff, volunteers and all involved at Edgar Street have done a fantastic job, putting an unbelievable amount of effort in to creating the new club.

"The club’s early success has also been due, in no small part, to the magnificent support which has come from the entire community.

"We all hope that the current momentum beyond this memorable first season, so the club can eventually get back to where it belongs."