HEREFORD United face a race against the clock to be ready for the new season after they failed to be given a safety certificate for their Edgar Street ground.

The Bulls are due to host St Neots Town in the Southern League Premier Division on Saturday but are still barred from staging matches in front of spectators.

Herefordshire Council are not satisfied the club have met the safety requirements and gave them until tomorrow to address the situation.

On Monday, new United chairman Andy Lonsdale said the club had done “all they could” to satisfy criteria for a new safety certificate for the stadium, which has not hosted a match since the end of last season.

A home friendly against Herefordshire League minnows Sinkums, scheduled for tonight, was also cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Mike Pigrem, the council’s head of trading standards and licensing, said: “Unfortunately, the council, police and fire service are not satisfied that all of the necessary statutory requirements have been met or that all of the relevant paperwork is in place.

“However, we are working closely with the club’s newly appointed safety consultants as well as club representatives in order to try to resolve the outstanding issues.”

Hereford also called off their photocall with local media just two hours before the start yesterday.

Lonsdale said some of United’s players were not at the club and they would not make it to the ground in time for a team photograph.

Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers are inviting fans to meet the players and management at an open training session tomorrow.

It takes places from 3pm when supporters will be able to watch boss Gary Whild put his squad through their paces.

Afterwards, players will be signing autographs and posing for photographs.

Harriers kick-off their Vanarama Conference campaign at Lincoln City on Saturday (3pm).