GRAHAM Turner has quit as team boss ahead of Hereford United's Nationwide Conference clash with Farnborough Town at Edgar Street tonight (7.45).

Player-coach Phil Robinson has been put in temporary charge for tonight's match and Friday's away fixture at Leigh RMI.

Turner, who is also chairman and major shareholder of the debt-ridden club, made the decision after his side's disappointing start to the season.

His side have won just once in their last nine matches and the final straw came when they crashed to a disastrous 4-1 defeat at bottom club Hayes on the Saturday.

"The biggest problem is that I have not been too involved in the day-to-day coaching this season," he said.

"I've had one or two disciplinary problems and the players probably see me as this big ogre that shouts a lot and rarely gets involved. After Saturday's performance I thought it was best if I relinquished control of the playing side.

"The truth is I've been trying to wear too many hats during what has been a crucial period for the club.

"It's a difficult job just keeping the club alive and at times we have been in absolute despair wondering where the next lot of money was coming from to pay the wages."

The board met with developers last night to iron out the club's long term future and a further board meeting is planned for tomorrow.

Turner said he doubted if anybody would step into take over his majority shareholding in the Edgar Street club and admitted he remained a football man at heart.

"There's no fun sitting round a boardroom table discussing tax and VAT when you are a football man," he said.

The Bulls face a tough test at the hands of the reigning Ryman Premier Division champions this evening and Robinson is looking for a spirited showing from his side.

"Everybody is disappointed and feels a little responsible --and rightly so. I am just hoping for a positive response from the players," said Robinson.

"I've had a chat with them and everybody is fully behind me and I just want to see if that shows on the field.

"Sometimes something like this can spark a response from players and that is what I'm hoping we will get."

Hereford are currently lying in 15th place, four points behind Farnborough.

* Formcast: Bulls should return to winning ways with a 2-1 success.