HEREFORD United are auctioning off sections of the Edgar Street pitch to fund drainage work.

The Bulls, due to host Hyde in the Blue Square Bet Premier today (3pm), need to install a new system to protect the surface following the wet winter. Fans can sponsor a two-metre square of turf until the end of next season for £25, or £35 in the penalty area.

There are 1,925 squares up for grabs, while the corner flags and penalty spots, as well as the patches from where Ronnie Radford and Ricky George scored their famous FA Cup goals against Newcastle in 1972, were due to be auctioned at last night’s Sportsman’s Dinner.

Money raised will fund the work, which should be completed in time for the new season in August.

Head groundsman Ian Pritchard said: “We have played at least six games when the matches should not have gone ahead but cash flow and revenue took priority.

“The rain and snow has highlighted that the pitch and the drainage, in particular, needs a lot of work doing to it. We have been working four times harder simply because of the drainage.

“Experts who have dealt with the pitch at Old Trafford and the new FA training set-up at Burton say we need a new drainage system throughout the pitch connecting to two catch land drains down each touchline, disposing of the water to two sumps with associated pumps to get rid of the water faster.”

The Bulls have released midfielder James McQuilkin, 24, from his contract.