AS we come back down to earth from the celebrations of our great achievement in gaining promotion, reality sets in.

The first thing to be done is the formulation of the squad for next season.

We are devoting a lot of time at present talking to not only our own players but a number of others whom we have targeted, who could improve the squad and whom we have a reasonable chance of getting.

Following our promotion and, in particular, the civic reception, there now seems to be a surge of enthusiasm from the local authority to help get the ground re-developed.

Last week we had a meeting with the Richardsons’ representative. There was not too much of an outcome from that as they, like ourselves, are relying on Herefordshire Council to support any proposals that may go forward.

We followed that with a meeting with representatives of the council - leader Roger Phillips, chief executive Chris Bull and Harry Bramer.

We spent half-an-hour discussing the situation in the boardroom before having a walk around, with particular attention to the Blackfriars End and the Meadow End.

I think they now realise how urgent our needs are, how without their co-operation nothing will get done and how exciting the prospects could be of the development incorporating commercial projects which could bring revenue into the club for many years to come.

It must now be close to eight years since we first started talking to the former leader of the council, Terry James. It has been eight years of frustration whereby, just at the time we thought we were making progress, nothing materialised.

We were originally looking into the prospect of a hotel or a cinema or a fitness centre but it now appears that all three will go on to the Cattle Market development.

Although there are indications that, with the shortage of hotel beds in and around the city, despite one being placed on the Cattle Market, there are still hotel groups interested in developing, particularly, the Meadow End.

In agreement with the Richardsons, we have arranged for football architects to be engaged on any project that comes to fruition.

We must ensure, wherever possible, that a commercial development is tacked on to football facilities and not the other way around.

In other words, first and foremost, this is a football ground and the needs of supporters are uppermost in our minds.

Equally, it must never be forgotten that we are only sub-tenants, with the Richardsons being the lease-holders. And we still owe them £1m.

Therefore, we must be prepared to co-operate to ensure both of our needs are met.

The next step will be for the council’s representatives to hold talks with the Richardsons, ascertain where the common ground is and then make progress from there.

The club itself has never been in a stronger position to push our case forward and, if the need arises, to rattle a few cages.

We certainly cannot wait another eight years before work starts.

Therefore, we hope that the relevant parties can reach an agreement.