HEREFORD United’s long-term sponsors Cargill have ended their association with the club.

The city-based company had been United’s main sponsor since Sun Valley first appeared on the front of playing shirts in the 1990-91 season, when Colin Addison was manager.

But Cargill spokesman Wendy Garbutt yesterday confirmed that the company’s logo would not be printed on United’s new team kit.

“Cargill’s sponsorship agreement with Hereford United Football Club came to an end at the close of the 2013 season,” said Garbutt.

“As such, Cargill’s logo will no longer be included on the new team kit.

“We have sponsored Hereford United football Club for many years, and in the last few years we have increasingly focussed our attention on the efforts of Hereford United Community Trust, which supports youth football, school and disability development programmes in and around Hereford. “

She added: “We are working with the Trust to look at ways to continue our support.”

Andy Lonsdale is the new chairman of United, although no official announcement has been made by the club.

And United cancelled the club’s pre-season team photocall on Tuesday.

United have not yet been granted a new safety certificate to allow the Edgar Street stadium to be opened to fans for their Southern League Premier Division opener against St Neots this Saturday.

United, managed by former Banbury assistant-boss Jon Taylor, are also scheduled to host Slough Town at Edgar Street next Tuesday night.

Mike Pigrem, head of trading standards and licensing at Herefordshire Council, said another meeting would take place today.

Hereford United advisor Joel Nathan claimed a company advising the club on ground safety had only been appointed at midnight on Monday night.

He told the Hereford Times the club requested an adjournment so the advisors could “have a good look around and ensure that everything that needed to be done was done.”

But the council said the safety advisory group had called for Tuesday’s adjournment.

Pigrem said: “Unfortunately, the council, police and fire service are not satisfied that all of the necessary statutory requirements have been met or that all of the relevant paperwork is in place. Therefore at this stage, we are still unable to authorise the club’s safety certificate.

“We are working closely with the club’s newly-appointed safety consultants as well as club representatives, in order to try and resolve the outstanding issues.”

He added: “A further special safety advisory group meeting has been provisionally set for the afternoon August 7 and a final resolution will follow this meeting.”

United played Sunday League newcomers The Stagecoach in a friendly last week and had arranged to face Herefordshire League Division Two outfit Sinkums last night.

However, United cancelled the friendly with Sinkums ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ and had approached Bartestree for a fixture last night, according to the villagers’ manager Dave Cadwallader.

Bartestree turned down the chance to meet United after Cadwallder asked people on Twitter whether the villagers should accept the friendly.

Supporters will have a chance to speak to Hereford United’s new regime in a fans’ fourm at the club’s Starlite Rooms tomorrow night from 7pm.