HEREFORD United chairman David Keyte has stressed the ‘enormous importance’ of the FA Cup to the club’s finances ahead of the cash-strapped Bulls’ first-round tie at Burton Albion on Sunday.

Last season’s run generated key income for the club with prize money for wins over FC United of Manchester and Shrewsbury Town as well as the televised second-round tie at Cheltenham Town and this season will be no different.

“The FA Cup is always important to Hereford United and it is the same this season,” said Keyte.

“Any financial boost from the cup is enormously important.

“We don’t budget for cup runs so it’s a bonus.”

Finances remain likely to dominate in the coming period with no Saturday home games currently scheduled in November.

United host Chester next Tuesday and Halifax on November 26 while there is a possibility of a home draw in the FA Trophy on November 30.

“But two home games do not pay the bills,” said Keyte.

Meanwhile, there is still plenty of interest in buying shares in the club.

“We are now approaching £40,000 sold,” said Keyte.

“Accrington Stanley last year had a share issue and got to £300,000 in 12 months so £100,000 by Christmas would be nice.”

The United chairman added: “But, realistically, a big player is needed to invest and seats on the board are still available.”

Keyte has moved to clarify the position of consultant Stuart Blake, who has been assisting the club for free with their recent share issue and whose involvement has been questioned on fans’ websites.

“Stuart moved within a high-powered circle in London and has a large range of contacts,” said Keyte.

“He moved back to Hereford and has been assisting us as an unpaid consultant in various capacities.

“His contacts in London have helped with the share issue.

“Bob Pritchard helped us enormously with the ground redevelopment plans on an unpaid basis and we recognised his work on that particular project by giving him a non-executive director’s position.

“Stuart is a consultant and not a non-executive director.”

Blake declined to comment.

The Hereford United chairman enjoyed some welcome respite from United’s financial woes when he saw his horse Harry Topper win by a neck in a thrilling race in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

The six-year-old is seen as a possible future Cheltenham Gold Cup horse but still has plenty to learn, as Keyte admitted.

“He’s a year in front of the plan at the moment but his jumping is still poor,” Keyte said.

“He is currently the favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup but he certainly won’t be running in that.”