HEREFORD FC'S new centre backs say there was only one place they wanted to go after they heard the Bulls were interested.

Mark Preece and Clayton Fortune joined the Edgar Street club last month and have been key to Pete Beadle's team cementing their place at the top of Southern Football League Division One South & West.

"It's definitely an attractive club and the professionalism is fantastic," said Preece, who joined from Chippenham.

"You've got to go up three or four leagues to see the professionalism that you get here, with the way training is to the tempo of things.

"It's great for non-league to have a club run like this.

"I think there's a lot of lads out there that would like to play here, but it does come with pressure.

"We're expected to go out and win games and expected to do well.

"I think you have to be a big character at the same time."

Preece says he has enjoyed playing alongside Fortune, while having experienced players like Ryan Green alongside him helps.

"I know Clayton from the game and have played against him many times," said Preece.

"He's a great lad and has got great experience who knows the game well.

"It's a pleasure to work alongside.

"Greeny has got great experience as well.

"He leads us well, keeps us in line and is just dependent every time.

"And Joel has got great enthusiasm who gets up and down and wins his headers and his tackles.

"But it's not just the back four.

"We've got great depth in the squad and we've got lads who who can come in and do a good job."

Preece was described by Beadle as 'a horrible version of Jamie Willets' when he signed him, but Preece says he likes to play football as well.

"It's definitely nice to play a bit of football, especially when you come to a place like this," said Preece.

"You've got the ground and a good fan base, so it is nice to get the ball down and play.

"That is what people want to see, it's not a ll about lumping it to someone.

"Sometimes you have to do it, but I like to think that I try and play as well, but if it needs to be no-no-nonsense, then I will do that.

Fortune, meanwhile, was on trial at Edgar Street in 2012 and has played in the Football League.

He said he kept in contact with Beadle in the summer and knew he wanted to join Hereford when he was released by Weston-Super-Mare.

"He always talks about how well the club is and how they try and do things properly, so once it was a case of looking for a new club, there was only one place I wanted to go," said Fortune.

"The gaffer is very lucky both defensively and in the forward line that he's got cover in those positions.

"It's very reassuring to know that if you do your job, then one of the four up front, whoever that maybe, have got good quality and can go and win you the game."

Speaking about his time on trial at Edgar Street, Fortune said."I was an agent at the time and still do a little bit.

"I brought Marlon Jackson down and the gaffer at the time was Martin Foyle, who I knew from Port Vale.

"I was going to sign but one thing led to another and I didn't end up signing in the end."

Hereford have also recently strengthened their squad with the acquisition of Ollie Barnes following the departure of Adam Davies.

Beadle said Barnes, who played for Weston-Super-Mare in National League South, makes is team stronger.

"He's a good size, he's 6ft 3, has a nice left foot and can play left-side centre-half or left-back," said Beadle.

"He's 29, been around the block and has good experience.

"It's another valuable asset to our group because I think his all-round game makes us stronger.

"For me, we were a defender short and Ollie was not doing anything.

"It's another good acquisition for us."