GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst has sympathy for Hereford United's fans and players after the Bulls were kicked out of the Conference.
As reported, the club were expelled from the league on Tuesday after missing their latest deadline to pay football creditors.
United owner Tommy Agombar has since confirmed that action was taken because they were unable to pay a £350,000 Conference bond – a guaranteed sum of money to see them through next season.
After surviving relegation from the Conference Premier on the final day of the season, Hereford's place in the top tier of non-league football will now be taken by Chester.
"It's sad for them," remarked Hurst. "I've been following the story and saw that there was going to be a takeover which could have sorted everything out.
"But, like everyone else, I saw the news this week that they'd been kicked out and you feel for the players who have gone through a very difficult time.
"Players are often criticised but there's an example where they did their job and kept the club up despite payment issues, and it's almost like that's been for nothing.
"Also, you feel for the fans down there. It's never nice and you don't wish that on any club.
"It's a real shame, but hopefully they can get themselves right and start moving back up again soon."
