THE other day I was asked whether Hereford United would be placed in Conference North or South if they were relegated from non-league's top-flight.

I must admit, it was not something I had really considered because the Bulls getting relegated had not crossed my mind.

Although they have endured a largely miserable season, on and off the pitch, they looked to have done enough early on in the campaign to stave off the drop.

But now I'm not so sure. The Edgar Street side are perched precariously just five points above the bottom four and struggling for form, particularly at home, as highlighted by a 0-0 draw with long-since-doomed Hyde at the weekend.

The Bulls are seemingly on the road to nowhere. Even if they do stay up, next season looks like being another struggle unless some serious cash injection is forthcoming.

Going part-time has to be a consideration because it would seem they cannot sustain themselves in the long-term as a full-time outfit on the crowds they currently attract.

Hereford's financial situation has been well documented.

Players have not been paid on time on more than one occasion and a winding-up order was only avoided at the 11th hour in January.

In December the club pleaded with fans to bail them out to the tune of £35,000 but there has been little discernible improvement.

It is true that United have suffered hugely as a result of relegation from the Football League, which cost them around £750,000 in funding.

But that can't continually be used as an excuse. At some point they have to find a solution.

Chairman David Keyte has introduced cost-cutting measures and often propped the club up with his own money, as well as vowing to implement a break-even budget.

There are some big decisions ahead for Hereford, whichever division they find themselves playing in.