HEREFORD United face another day in court with the club facing the biggest threat yet to its existence.

Majority shareholder Andrew Lonsdale assured the Hereford Times that the £1million needed would be found by tomorrow's 4.30pm deadline.

But his claim on Monday morning came just hours after the High Court in London heard that little, if any, action had been taken by the football club since their previous winding-up hearing on December 1.

A lawyer representing HMRC, who are owed a six-figure sum by United, told Monday's brief hearing that none of the assurances given by the football club had yet been carried out.

The barrister, in his petition to have the club wound up, said that the total figure owed had now risen substantially because of VAT and corporation tax.

In response, the club's lawyers asked the Registrar, Stephen Baister, to adhere to a previous understanding from December 1 that Mr Lonsdale be given 15 working days to prove he had the funds available to pay creditors.

One barrister, who later refused to give his name or who he represented, appealed for any further adjournments to be rejected, adding that "his client had serious concerns" over United's ability to meet its debts.

But Mr Baister accepted the club's plea, adding that tomorrow's hearing will reveal the truth of Lonsdale's financial claims.

"We will find out on Friday whether it is the very last moment," he told the court.

A small group of supporters were present in court. Andy Wood spoke for the majority when he expressed his disappointment at the latest adjournment.

"I'm not surprised with the decision," he said. "But it would be a great Christmas present if they are wound up on Friday."

Lonsdale said he does not expect to recoup the money he is putting into the club and is open to the idea of developing the land behind either of the of the two goals at Edgar Street.

"I have read about student accommodation, flats and hotels but I am not a developer," he said.

"But I will speak to people about it."

He agreed that the state of the ground behind the Meadow End and the Blackfriars Street stand lent itself towards improvements but claimed anyone stating this would net the developer a small fortune was wrong.

A high percentage of any profits generated by any development has to go back into the club, explained Lonsdale, who added that he was committed to keeping football at Edgar Street.

"This is not about money," he said. "What we want is a community football club."

Lonsdale added that he was still confident that United would still reach the play offs and confirmed that Aston VIlla were keen on goalkeeper Luke Williams while Cardiff City and Oxford United were among the clubs following the progress of playmaker Bilal Yafai.

Lonsdale said the criticism he has faced had left him considering his future with United but, at this stage, he was not prepared to walk away.

"I just cannot understand why some fans want to kill the club," he said.

"I think there are some people in Hereford who want the club to fail so they can develop the ground themselves.

"But we are here. It's a good club, a big club. I won't give in."