FOUR of Hereford United’s more experienced players look set to move on in the wake of the Bulls’ relegation to the Blue Square Bet Premier.

But hopes remain that skipper Rob Purdie will be staying with the club.

Boss Martin Foyle told a fans’ forum at the Starlite Rooms on Monday that Delroy Facey and Kenny Lunt, while they had options in their contracts, were unlikely to find the terms they had been offered acceptable.

And Ryan Green, the scorer of the goal which brought United back into the Football League in 2006, is out of Hereford’s price-range.

“Ryan is a very good player but we will not be offering him a deal,” confirmed Foyle.

Joe Colbeck, who was also out of contract, has signed a two-year deal with Grimsby Town.

Purdie, meanwhile, was due to give his decision yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

“Rob is a top quality lad and a decent sort,”

said Foyle. “He is looking to his future and we have discussed the possibility of him coming on the staff here but he also has Football League offers.”

Foyle said that three new players have already put pen to paper, including a goalkeeper and a central defender, subsequently revealed to be former Forest Green and York City 26-year-old Luke Graham.

The new boss said that it was intention to use a 4-4-2 formation.

“If the pitch is good, then we want to go out and play football,” he said, to some relief in the room.

Foyle added that he would be looking to be in the top 10 after the first 15 matches of the season, although he was, understandably, reluctant to say where the club might finish until he had assembled his squad.

Costs would also be trimmed with only two overnight stays — at Barrow and Gateshead — planned, although this may have to be revised depending on the fixture list.

United have received a further financial setback with the news that the longstanding sponsorship deal with M&M is not being renewed.

“I had asked M&M to let me know by June 1 whether they wished to continue and they have confirmed that they are not going to,” said Bulls chairman David Keyte.

“While it’s disappointing, we have several people that we are talking to to replace them.”

Keyte was able to draw some positive news, however, from season-ticket sales.

“We have sold more than 630 which is the best for some time at this stage,” he said.

“The fans have responded very well.”

Meanwhile, Richard O’Kelly, who rejected the chance to continue as Hereford’s manager following their relegation, has re-joined another Bulls old-boy to become assistant manager at League One Walsall.

And ex-United skipper Tony James has signed on for Newport County following his release from Burton Albion.