HEREFORD United have well and truly entered the last chance saloon as far as their Football Conference future is concerned.

Although they avoided being wound-up for a third time in the High Court on Monday, with extra-time granted to reach a settlement with former manager Martin Foyle, the clock is ticking on their status in non-league’s top-flight.

Despite all the noises from Edgar Street about fresh investment, all we know is that Tommy Agombar is the new owner but details beyond that are incredibly sketchy.

The bottom line is, if Hereford fail to meet the criteria set out by the league before the annual meeting in Newport this weekend, they will be kicked out of the competition. No matter who is in charge.

The Bulls cannot say they haven’t been warned.

The club has lurched from one financial disaster to the next throughout last season and avoided relegation by the narrowest of margins on a dramatic final day.

In the six weeks since, Hereford have known they face being expelled by the Football Conference if all football creditors are not paid in full.

They will also have to prove they have the funds to complete next season’s fixtures, which means they have enough to pay their players and staff so HM Revenues and Customs don’t come knocking again. Given that chairman David Keyte is on record as saying around £300,000 is needed to achieve that, United need to act fast.

Yet, credible information has been sorely lacking and the fans that bailed Hereford out last month have been treated with complete contempt.

They deserve better and to know what is happening, but the club are leaving things extremely late.