HEREFORD FC chairman Jon Hale says gaining Edgar Street was crucial to the new club forming.

Intense negotiations between the club and Herefordshire Council eventually led to Hale and his board being granted the keys to the ground in March – a month after the two parties agreed a five-year lease deal.

Mr Hale says it was vital that Hereford could play at the ground that has provided many happy memories for supporters.

"We met with the council several times to put forward our proposal for a new club and to educate them about how important it was to play at Edgar Street," said Mr Hale.

"I think the council fully understood that and that we had put together a very well structured proposal.

"But they had to protect the tax payer and their facilities because they had been so badly let down by the previous people and were very protective of their assets, which we understood.

"We had to fight to get five years, which was acceptable to both parties.

"They probably would have preferred two-and-a-half years, but that would proved to be commercially difficult to negotiate with people.

"We are therefore extremely thankful to the council because without their commitment and understanding, we wouldn't have got to the situation we find ourselves in and we wouldn't have got the ground because there was no plan b."

Mr Hale's first game at Edgar Street was a 2-1 win against Stockport County in 1980 and has been going to the ground ever since.

"My father was a vice-president for many years, but sadly he died in 2006," said Mr Hale.

"Myself and my brother Will continued the family tradition in being Hereford supporters – I hope my four-year-old son Matthew follows in my footsteps.

"He's always interested when I go to Edgar Street and is already a really avid follower.

"My memories are because of my father and is the basis of my childhood.

"I vividly remember the Arsenal game in 1985, especially the first game, which is the biggest crowd at Edgar Street since I've been alive.

"I also saw the 1990 cup game against Manchester United, which was an incredible game, but the biggest game I have seen was the play-off final at Leicester.

"My father was very ill at the time and died a month to the day after the game, so that was very bitter sweet.

"Watching Hereford is a way of life for a lot of people and you always remember the games when Edgar Street is full."