ROB Purdie is hoping attention at Hereford United can switch to paying the players now the threat of a winding-up order has been averted.

The Bulls settled a debt of £78,000 with HM Revenues and Customs this week following a series of fund-raising events and donations.

But, despite the efforts to keep the Skrill Premier outfit afloat, players and staff have received only a small portion of their wages since the beginning of February.

Purdie, however, is looking for that to change and is calling for a bumper crowd to show up at Edgar Street for today's match against Gateshead (3.07pm).

Chairman David Keyte has also confirmed that he will be continuing talks with a group of potential investors on his return from Barbados.

Purdie said: “I hope that there will be a big turn-out today and that will bring some revenue for the staff and players.

“We understand that early next week we could receive a good proportion of our February wages. Then we can relax a bit.

“The crowds in the last two home games have been good and there were more than 100 at Welling on Tuesday night. It was fantastic to hear them cheering when we scored.”

Purdie also paid tribute to the fundraising activity, adding: “This is my third spell at the club and it means a lot to me personally.

“But, until now, I don’t think I really appreciated how important it is to so many others. The effort has been unbelievable and it shows what a hard-core fan base there is."

Keyte is in the Caribbean with his wife Lorraine but is in constant touch with matters back home.

He said: “We are on a trip booked last November which we did discuss cancelling but the team at the club convinced us they could run the shop in my absence.

"However, I have been in touch daily. I have also continued to speak to a group of potential investors who wish to talk further on my return.”