HEREFORD United have appealed to fans to help raise £35,000 in the next 14 days to help to pay December's staff wages.

The club have failed to meet their PAYE obligations and expect to be subject to a winding-up order in February.

By that stage, however, they expect new leases to have been signed with Herefordshire Council, allowing a contract to be signed which will raise a six-figure sum.

This will be the up-front figure for the 30-year contract which will see the club through the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, however, the club are asking season-ticket holders to consider paying £10 'or whatever they can afford' at the ground for the next three home matches - against Cambridge on Saturday, Forest Green on December 28 and Kidderminster on New Year's Day.

Other fans are being asked to donate similar amounts.

As recompense, the club will offer a discount from next season's season-ticket price  or shares in the club.

"Despite news that we are close to finally agreeing the new leases, the club needs your help today," says a club statement. 

"A short-term fix to secure the long-term future.

"We need to raise £35,000 over the next 14 days to ensure the club can meet its obligations to staff over this period.

"The board would ask you to please support your club at this difficult time, as you have on many occasions over the years."

The board will be evaluating further changes over the next two months, they say, while trying to support manager Martin Foyle to ensure that the club's league position improves.

They will then continue to 'adjust the cost base' to produce a break-even budget for the 2014-5 season.