HEREFORD United's Independent Supporters' Association has bought a 10 per cent stake in the club.

The association is believed to have paid around £4,000 to former director Mike Hancocks for 2,276 shares.

HUISA chairman Richard Tomkins said the move would not undermine the authority of Director of Football Graham Turner, but added: "We believe the club should be community-based and that its shares should not be just in the hands of a few directors.

"One does not know what may happen in the future - Graham Turner will not be here forever."

Turner, who holds 9,000 shares, reacted with caution. "I had the opportunity to buy these shares as well as another board member, and we turned it down because the valuation was far higher than we would have paid for them.

"They raise money to spend as they see fit - there may be an ulterior motive but that's to the back of my mind with Saturday's game in mind."