HEREFORD FC have received a blow ahead of the new season after attacking midfielder Keyon Reffell decided not to sign for the club.

Head Coach Marc Richards broke the news after a 2-1 defeat in a pre-season friendly against Yeovil Town this evening.

Richards said that due to personal circumstances, 28-year-old Reffell would sign for a club closer to his home in south Wales.

“Made Keyon a good offer at training on Wednesday and at half past nine last night we were just working out the logistics for him to travel this weekend,” Richards said.

“Then get a phone call this morning saying he wants to sign for a local side.

“Obviously disappointed, disappointed because obviously he had a terrible time last year with injury.

“He’s been Mr Positive and the club have been brilliant in terms of supporting him. We’ve got him back in pre-season and he’s played in a few games. I thought we were there.

“But we found out this morning that due to a change in job, and family circumstances, he wants to stay closer to home so unfortunately he won’t be signing for us.

“I am disappointed Keyon hasn’t signed because I wanted to sign him. I made it really clear on Wednesday given that we wanted to see him get some minutes under his belt after two bad injuries kept him out the whole of last season, I wanted him to be a Hereford player."