Hereford United appoint Jon Taylor as new manager

Hereford United have appointed Jon Taylor as the new manager of the troubled Southern League club.

It has also been confirmed that Grays Athletic chief executive Joel Nathan is assisting in a voluntary advisory role as the club reorganises after their expulsion from the Football Conference.

The Bulls face an uncertain future following their summer takeover.

Their Edgar Street home remains closed until further notice as it is still to be granted a safety certificate.

And the Hereford United Supporters' Trust this week revealed that 95% of their members have voted to boycott all home games next season, in protest at new owner Tommy Agombar.

Hereford are currently understood to be trying to arrange a Company Voluntary Arrangement to help clear their debts.

But the Bulls still face a winding-up petition brought by former manager Martin Foyle, which was last week adjourned for a third time until Monday, 28 July, 12 days before the scheduled start of the Southern League season.

Taylor, formerly assistant manager of Banbury United, one of the Bulls' Southern League Premier rivals, will be assisted by Neil Phelps, who worked as a video analyst last season for then-Bulls boss Foyle.

"Jon has chosen Neil as his assistant and will have a budget to work to," said Hereford spokesman Nathan.

"The club will remain full-time. Our aspirations for the season are to get promotion."

Nathan's appointment was confirmed by a statement on the website of former Conference Premier side Grays, who now play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

The statement read: "Chief executive Joel Nathan has been assisting the board of Hereford United in a voluntary advisory role as the club reorganises after its expulsion from the Football Conference.

"The Grays Athletic board, which itself consists entirely of voluntary members, is fully aware of the extent of assistance Joel Nathan has rendered to Hereford United which has always been in an open and transparent manner and within the rules of the Football Association.

"We can now confirm that Mr Nathan has formally been offered a role at Hereford United which he is considering.

"Should Mr Nathan accept the role at Hereford United he would leave with our best wishes and, in accordance with FA regulations, he would resign as chief executive of Grays Athletic."