Hereford United have been banned from all football activity by the Football Association with immediate effect.

The club was demoted from the Conference to the Southern Premier League in the summer over unpaid debts.

The local council has started proceedings to repossess their stadium, while majority shareholder Alan McCarthy was recently charged for failing to receive written confirmation from the FA to act as an officer for the club.

"Having failed to comply with the orders of the Independent Regulatory Commission, both Hereford United and Alan McCarthy are suspended from all football and football activity with immediate effect," read an official statement from English football's governing body.

"The FA understands the importance of football clubs to their local communities and will continue to work with all relevant parties to ensure senior football returns to Hereford at the earliest opportunity, although this will be contingent on the club complying with the regulations and subsequent orders of the Independent Regulatory Commission."

The club is expected to be in court on Monday to fight a winding-up order.