FOOTBALL agents are making life a misery for managers, according to Hereford United boss Graham Turner.

His efforts to bring players into the Edgar Street club are being hindered by those looking to steer their clients to where the money is.

"They think their players are going to sign for Man Utd or Real Madrid and are then left searching for a club when the season is about to start," the Bulls supremo explained.

"Agents are now far more prevalent than a few years ago -- I would say that about 75 per cent of players now have agents.

"It is really frustrating because the agents also need to see the contracts and sign them. It all takes time and managers want to have their squads sorted out for the first day of pre-season. The easiest way would be to make contact with the player.

"There are some good agents but there are also a lot of bad agents who are not giving their players the best advice."

Turner's frustration followed long drawn-

out negotiations with two potential new signings, delayed by having to send copies of contracts to agents in addition to the players.

"We have sent out the contracts in the post having verbally agreed deals," the manager said. "But we have been in this position before where we believed we had the player sorted out only for it all to fall through."

The Bulls return for pre-season on July 6 and the manager is hopeful of strengthening his squad well before then.

He is talking to a defender, midfielder, winger and goalkeeper but adds others may be on their way on non-contract terms to help Hereford cope with the new Conference transfer window.

"It will be something new for all the clubs and will be something of a learning process," Turner added.

n Simon Travis' punctured lung and cracked ribs may sideline him for the summer but Turner still plans to have him in contention for the start of the season proper.