SKIPPER Rob Purdie believes keeping the squad together will be key to Hereford United’s chances of returning to the Football League at the first attempt.

The Bulls’ six-year stay came to an end last Saturday when they were relegated to the Blue Square Bet Premier with Macclesfield Town, despite beating Torquay United 3-2 at Edgar Street.

Eleven players are already under contract for next season but who joins them will largely be dictated by how much United have to cut their budget.

The appointment of a manager will also have a bearing with Richard O’Kelly, who took charge of Hereford’s final 12 games, due to hold talks with chairman David Keyte last night.

Midfielder Purdie, Hereford’s player-of-the-season who is out of contract, has suggested he would like to stay.

The 29-year-old said: “The Conference is a very tough league and teams who throw money at it and expect to bounce back up again are a bit naïve.

“I was in there for four years with Hereford and I know it is a tough league to get out of. But there will always be a club here and I think we will always have a chance of getting up.

“We have to make sure we can keep the nucleus of the team and ensure there is a bright future for us.”