HEREFORD FC manager Pete Beadle says he will look to see what other players are worthy of contracts for next season after full-back Jimmy Oates committed his future to the club.

The Australian defender is the first player to commit his future to the Bulls, with his deal running until the end of the 2017/18 campaign. Currently, the only other players on contracts at Edgar Street are John Mills, Pablo Haysham and Jamie Molyneux, with their deals running until the end of this season.

“We’ve got nine games left and we know what we’ve got to do,” said Beadle.

“We will then be in discussions with more players to see which ones we want to keep.

“We’ve already got some on contracts and will see if we can tie or or two down for next season.”

Beadle believes Oates could play as high as the National League Premier. “You ask yourself what do Conference clubs what from their defenders?” said Beadle.

“You want someone who is an athlete, is quick, can defend and contribute going forward.

“Jimmy has all those attributed and Hartpury College should take a lot of credit. Hereford assistant manager] Steve Jenkins is extremely complementary of him having been a right-back himself.

“He has been outstanding for us and has consistently been in the top two or three performers.

“In the first five games last season, no one hit the ground running and it was a new environment for him.

“He played centre-back against Coleshill and admits himself that he didn’t have the best of games.

“But he has grown in confidence and a big character to have around. He is one of our assets that we we couldn’t afford to lose because it would be hard to replace him.”

Oates had been in talks with Hereford for a while about signing a contract, but had personal issues to sort out first.

The full-back has a Canadian girlfriend called Chelsey living in Australia and he wanted to sort out his Visa first to enable her to move to the UK.

“It was all up in the air with my girlfriend, but we’ve now sorted her Visa and I feel really privileged that that club have offered me a contract,” said Oates.

“It’s awesome to be part of the club and it’s a really exciting time. It’s a special club because of where it’s located geographically – the fans are in love with the football club. I didn’t know much about Hereford before I came, but being part of everything here has led me to love it.”