FORMER Hereford United player David Keyte is the club’s new chairman.

Mr Keyte was confirmed in the role at a press conference this afternoon at Edgar Street.

Broadcaster Tim Russon, the former head of sport at Central News South, is Hereford United’s vice-chairman.

Mr Keyte, who lives in Bransford, is a former Hereford Cathedral School pupil.

He replaces Graham Turner who is leaving the League 2 club after 12 years at the helm.

Hereford-born Mr Keyte said: “It’s a dream come true and I am living the dream. I am an accountant and I shall be continuing on the prudence that Graham Turner has set for this club. While I might be the hard-nosed businessman, quiet but determined, I think we have got a nice marriage here. Tim is the communications and TV guy who can get things moving in terms of the community. We feel that there is an opening to perhaps give the football club back to the Hereford people. We have plenty of ideas and we will be trying to get the community to come along and help. If the 2,138 average gate becomes 2,300 then life gets easier."

Mr Keyte is well known in Herefordshire sporting circles having played football for Hereford United Reserves and Westfields.

He played cricket for Herefordians, was a wicketkeeper and batsman for Hereford City Sports and also represented Worcestershire County Cricket Club 2nd XI.

Mr Russon: “We have contacted all the players in the last few days and Kenny Lunt is coming in next week to have a chat and we are hopeful. Our aim is to get all those guys signed up for the start of next season. When a new manager does arrive it is important that he does not have a too big a task. We want to get seven or eight of those players under contract. It will be hard to ask the new manager to fill the side completely. Having spoken to the players, our first aim is for all those players to stay at the club. One or two are away on holiday, but we will do our very best to make sure those guys are signed up for next season."

Mr Keyte said they had drawn up shortlist of three potential candidates for the vacant manager's role.

Mr Keyte: “We are happy to go ahead with a budget similar if not marginally greater than last year’s. We have a shortlist of three for the manager's job. We met with one last night and we have another one to see next Tuesday. The third one is on holiday and we have had telephone conversations with him. We feel we will be able to make our decision in the second half of next week. Time is ticking so it’s crucial we have the guy in place, realistically, in another 10 or 12 days away from here."

Mr Keyte added: "We have been impressed with the standard of managers out there who have applied or been recommended to us and that’s a measure of just how nicely this club has been running and how attractive a proposition it is for a manager.”

Mr Keyte is the principal at Bredon School near Upton-upon-Severn. He took over as the school’s principal in September 2005.

He was due to retire this summer after 10 successful years at the independent day and boarding school.

Mr Keyte officially became the new owner of Bredon School in April 2002. He was the school’s general manager before buying it.

Mr Keyte’s dad, John Keyte, is a former top police officer in the county who was awarded an OBE in 1984.

John Keyte is a former safety and security executive at Hereford United.

In his voluntary role at Edgar Street, John Keyte dealt with all aspects of safety and security from licencing to organising club stewards.