HEREFORD United Director of Football Graham Turner has joined the growing number of calls for increased promotion places in the Nationwide Conference.

For several years there has been pressure from Conference clubs to change the current one-up-one-down system with the Nationwide League, to enable two or even three teams to go up.

Turner believes it is more a matter of when, rather than if, the system will be changed.

The Bulls realistically have little chance of the title this season despite their nine-match unbeaten run, and it looks to be a two-horse race between Kidderminster Harriers and Rushden and Diamonds.

But if three clubs get the chance to go up, it would heighten interest at the top end of the table, particularly this season as there are so many clubs separated by only a few points, and lead to bigger attendances and greater publicity.

Many Conference clubs are felt to be bet

ter organised and more suited to League football than several clubs actually in it.

The Bulls will be particularly keen to see more teams going up, having lost their league status only three years ago.

Turner said: "With only the champions going up, it does make life difficult but sooner or later it will come in and we will have more promotion.

"There are several clubs in the Conference who are very well organised, very ambitious and are working hard to achieve the aim of League status. There has been talk that it could come about next season, but it has to come sooner or later. I don't think the Nationwide League can put us off for ever more."

Sports Minister Kate Hoey has backed the Conference's plans, and the matter is likely to be discussed at the Nationwide League's annual meeting in the summer.

But Turner believes that the money the league clubs receive from Sky Television could prove to be the vital factor.