HEREFORD United must pay their football creditors in full by 5pm tonight (Thursday) or face expulsion from the Football Conference.

That’s the stark warning from Football Conference general manager Dennis Strudwick, who says United have ‘a lot of work to do’ to remain in the competition.

London businessman Tommy Agombar has been officially revealed this week as United’s new owner with David Keyte continuing as chairman.

And United’s staff have been assured by the club they will be paid outstanding wages before 3pm today (Thursday).

But yesterday morning, Strudwick said United had not yet replied to an invitation to the Conference’s board meeting at which the club’s immediate future will be decided.

And Chester, who were relegated on the last day of the season, will be hoping for a reprieve at the expense of the Bulls.

“The whole thing needs some clarity and it needs clarity very quickly,” Strudwick admitted.

“We do not have the authority to discuss the club’s affairs with a third party.

“The club need to submit a form to the FA and will need approval to the FA before we deal with any new owner in any authority on behalf of the club.

“Hereford United must settle their debts with football creditors by 5pm on Thursday – and the club are well aware what they need to do. The club have known this since May 14.

“Hereford United are not a position to call the tune - they must abide by the rules of the competition like the other member clubs in the Football Conference.

“We will also need a budget which must be compelling and detail that the club will not only meet their requirements for next season but how they will deal with the current debt, including an impending winding-up order from Revenue and Customs.”

Strudwick added: “I don’t want to prejudge this matter but, if a club fails to pay off their football creditors, they face being expelled from the competition and that includes the Conference North or South.

“In my opinion, football creditors are the wages owed to players and staff, other football clubs, the Football Conference, FA and the County FA.

United’s fate will be confirmed at the Conference’s board meeting which takes place tomorrow (Friday) at the Celtic Manor in Newport, starting at 2pm.

The Conference annual general meeting is being held on Saturday, starting at 11am.