MIDFIELDER Ben Smith has conceded that he may have made his last appearance for Hereford United.

Smith is now out-ofcontract at Edgar Street and has been offered a firm deal at another club.

Had Smith made 30 League 1 starts last season, he would have been entitled to a new Hereford contract under the same terms.

But he made only 29 starts in Hereford’s relegation campaign.

“I had a short conversation with John Trewick and he mentioned a substantial wage cut,”

said 30-year-old Smith.

“I have not turned it down and John said he would speak to me again in June.

“John has made me an offer but I have to do what is right for me.

“If Hereford’s offer does not increase, there’s every possibility that I will move on.”

Worcester-based Smith has made 155 club appearances for Hereford as well as 13 as a substitute, scoring 28 goals.

Smith re-joined the Bulls in January 2007 from Weymouth for £20,000 - only the second transfer fee paid by Graham Turner in his time at Edgar Street.

He had previously been at United from June 2002 to June 2004.

“I have had one concrete offer, which was better than Hereford, from another club,” said Smith.

“It’s a full-time club and it’s definitely an option. I have had a few other enquires. It’s still very early and, at the moment, I want to keep my options open.

“I don’t particularly want to leave Hereford. I am settled at the club and enjoyed the majority of my two-and-a-half years back at the club.

The relegation was tough.

“But If I do leave Hereford, I would like to stay in the Midlands or move back to Essex .”

Smith said the progression from League 2 to League 1 had been tough for Hereford.

“It’s a big jump from League 2 to League 1.

The size and the scale of the clubs in League 1 are different - and it was always going to be difficult.

“We were striving to get back into the Football League for nine years and then to get into League 1 was an unexpected bonus.”

Smith highlighted Steve Guinan and Toumani Diagouraga as Hereford’s standout performers last season.

“Steve had a really good season and Toumani had a good season and is developing well. He will be a very good player in a couple of years’ time.

“I think we have individuals at Hereford who are good enough to be put into a League 1 side.

But as a team it didn’t work out.”

He said the most important thing for Hereford was to have a solvent club.

“The club are on a good footing and have a chance at competing at the top end of League 2 next season. Other clubs have got into problems chasing the dream.”

Smith added: “If Hereford did that and chased the dream, they could end up in Conference North.”