Hereford United placed under transfer embargo

Financially-challenged Conference Premier club Hereford United have been placed under a transfer embargo.

The Bulls have this week had a winding-up petition served on them by HM Revenue and Customs, after failing to meet their latest PAYE and VAT bills.

Having lost three players since the turn of the year, boss Martin Foyle admits he cannot sign replacements.

"Things are testing us again. With an embargo in place, I can't do anything," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

Having lost on-loan Torquay United midfielder Damon Lathrope, who returned to Plainmoor last week, Foyle has also had to let striker Eric Odhiambo go.

And, although managing to secure a one-match extension, Hereford's continuing financial troubles have forced them to let Burnley youngster Micah Evans go back to Turf Moor following Thursday night's 1-1 draw at Forest Green.

Foyle admits Evans, who was on the winning side in three of the six games he played for the Bulls, will be missed.

"We managed to scrounge him for one more game as we were a bit depleted," he added. "And we will miss Damon too.

"He gave us quality on the ball. He got us clicking.

"As for Eric, he's gone to Ireland as we couldn't offer him anything.

"But the players are working hard for me and we're here for the long run in the hope that this club can get back on its feet again.

"The fans are certainly behind us. They know the plight that we're in. The realise how hard this job is.

"Everybody's doing more than they should be doing. But, unfortunately, we haven't got any money. And, until someone comes in with some sort of rescue package that can hep us survive, we are what we are."

Hereford were playing their first game in 12 days on Thursday, after successive postponements because of the wet weather.

A timely run of just one defeat in four games has lifted them to 16th in the Conference Premier - eight points clear of trouble.

They now have home games coming up on successive Saturdays, against fellow strugglers Southport and mid-table Salisbury, at which the club will again be desperately hoping that fans, already asked to dip their hands in their pockets over Christmas, will respond at the turnstiles.

HMRC's winding-up petition is due to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 27 January.