NEXT season is set to be a crucial year for a number of Hereford United's youngsters, according to boss Graham Turner.

He believes a number of his side's younger players are good enough to play league football but says it is now time to show what they can do.

One player he has high hopes of is John Shirley, aged 19, who came through the ranks in the YTS scheme, and has re-signed with the Edgar Street club.

"He has played in the first team although he didn't have the best of starts last season," he said. "It was only in the final two months that he came back into the side where he played in midfield or at right back. John's got a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and a fair degree of skill and pace. It's a big year for him and a number of

other players as they are only on one-year contracts and need to prove themselves."

Turner is also expecting a lot from Paul Parry, who made his debut two years ago but was affected by injury last year.

Midfielder Gavin Williams and defender Tony James, both played regularly as well, and Turner has no doubt the quartet could go on to greater things.

"I think they could all play at a significantly higher level and play league football comfortably. They have all got the experience but now is the time to push on and stake a claim for league football and hopefully with Hereford United."

Meanwhile, there was some good news for the Conference side, whose accounts showed a profit for the first time in six years, when they received £3,000 for winning the league's fair play award.

The Edgar Street club's accounts for the year ended May 31 showed a £70,254 profit, a huge improvement on its £162,074 loss last year.