THE father of left-back Chris Bush admits he has had to support his son financially through Hereford United's plight.

Times are bleak for the Edgar Street club after they were served with a second winding-up order of the season this week over an unpaid £78,000 tax bill.

They narrowly avoided the first one in January after raising the £36,800 needed at the 11th hour.

Players have also not been paid in full since the end of January, leaving them to seek advice from the Professional Footballers' Association.

It has proved to be a struggle for some and Stuart Bush says he has had to dip into his own pocket to help 21-year-old Chris.

Bush senior said: “I have had to bail out Chris and support him this season, but he has just got on with things.

“But, I think for a couple of players, not being paid has affected them.

“Chris really likes it at Hereford and would like to stay there for another season.

“A lot of the players are in the same situation and it’s a real dilemma about what to do, but I’ve told Chris to just keep playing.”

He added: “It is hard when you’re not getting paid, but I said to Chris that he needs to run

himself into the ground so he is not seen to be not pulling his weight.

If you’re not trying, then fans will start to boo you. I have been to about 15 games this season, so to see the fans continue to sing throughout the game at Barnet on Saturday was great and I am sure it helped the players."

Hereford will be hoping raise some of money needed from today's Skrill Premier match against Grimsby Town at Edgar Street (3pm).

Caretaker manager Peter Beadle will also be aiming to oversee the team's first victory in 12 matches.