Hereford fans want to bring back old club name

Fans want to raise £9,570 to pay to change the club's name

Hereford FC supporters are trying to raise £9,750 in order to restore the club's former name.

After Hereford United went bust in 2014, Hereford FC was formed in its place.

The money is needed to cover the cost of changing the grounds' signage, complete an inventory write off of stock, change the club's current website URL, badge and trademark registration.

The fan group, named Bring Back United, has the support of former club commentator Keith Hall, who said he would "match their fundraising efforts so that we get more than enough to change the name back to Hereford United."

Mr Hall said: "It's like an opened wound really, it's the final thing that the club hasn't managed to do, [because] it's the same venue at Edgar Street, the same colours and the bull on the badge, its that final step to rectifying matters."

In 2014 the club was taken to the High Court after racking up debts totalling about £1m. The club owed money to many creditors, including HM Revenue and Customs for unpaid tax.

'Surge in interest'

Mr Hall said although fans were not at fault for the club's financial troubles, the fundraiser was a sign of how passionate they felt about preserving the club's story.

"We want to restore the history of the club and make sure for generations to come that when they talk about Hereford, it's Hereford United and they can look back at the history, good and bad, all the way back to 1924," Mr Hall said.

When the new club was formed, rules meant that after Hereford United folded in 2014, any phoenix club could not use the name for five years.

"For me it's disappointing it wasn't done after five years but there seems to be a surge in interest.

"It's not just about the finances but the perception of whether Hereford should ever be Hereford United again, or is history before 2015 going to be ignored," Mr Hall said.

The BBC has contacted Hereford FC for comment.