THE Edgar Street Grid development could be an exciting time for the community, our supporters and the football club, itself. I have recently met the architects involved and have told them what we would like to see incorporated at the club.

We spent some time assessing the ground and they could see the areas that need addressing and the potential that the ground possesses. There is 4.6 acres in total and the club does not need a site that size (See Page 5).

There is a plenty of scope for adjustment by moving the pitch towards one end and freeing some land for development at the other, or moving it laterally away from the A49, or even turning the pitch around. The first option is by far the cheapest in as much as the Merton Stand is serviceable. We need to have commercial ventures incorporated because a professional football club cannot survive on just money taken at the turnstiles once a fortnight.

The catering facilities, the toilet blocks, the turnstiles and the general condition of the ground all need to be brought into the 21st century. The financial side of things would be the governing factor but I thought that there were some very encouraging noises coming from the architects.

Whilst I always talk up the city and the county, it cannot remain a backwater forever. There may be the need for a new police headquarters, a city hall and land in the area earmarked as residential but there is also a requirement to provide facilities to attract people to Hereford on a regular basis.

There is a hope that the football club can be an integral part of the future prosperity of the city. It is a great opportunity for the planners to rejuvenate the area - one that should not be missed.

I understand that our supporters have been invited by Herefordshire Council to attend an advisory meeting and then to nominate a member to represent supporters on an advisory panel.

Last week the players did something a little bit different when they popped down to the Mayor's Parlour for a reception. It's nice to see that the Mayor, Alan Williams, is taking an interest in the club. We know there is a cost in certain areas, for instance extra policing and that might occur at the Doncaster Rovers match on the last day of the season. But, generally, the amount of visiting supporters does not affect the Saturday afternoon running of the city and they spend money in the city before and after our home games.