Kidderminster Harriers Unofficial News

Boro snap up Guppy

2006-08-18T14:04:00.000Z

Conference title favourites Stevenage Boro have snapped up winger Steve Guppy.

Mark Stimson's Boro have suffered two defeats from two in their opening two conference fixtures and angry supporters are already questioning the future of the former Grays' boss.

Stevenage's official site released this story:

Stevenage Borough have today signed Steve Guppy. The 34 year old ex England international winger who includes Celtic, Leicester, Newcastle and Wycombe amongst his former clubs. Steve goes straight into Boro's squad for tomorrows home game against Crawley.

Catch the Harriers on the radio

2006-08-18T13:56:00.000Z

BBC Hereford and Worcester will be keeping stay-at-home Harriers fans up to date with all tomorrow's action from Northwich.

The station is running second half commentary on 104 and 104.4 FM and reporter Steve Miller will be giving regular updates on the first half action.

Meanwhile, Kidderminster have released a statement responding to the action taken by Worcester City over Andy Morrison. The statement can be seen at www.harriers.co.uk.

Reading between the lines it seems that Harriers may not be impressed with the sanctions dished out by City to their assistant boss (see story below). It may be that the FA become involved and dish out further punishment to Worcester City.

Next stop Cheshire

2006-08-18T09:29:00.000Z

Harriers travel to Northwich Victoria tomorrow and will be hoping to pick up their first three points of the season.

Mark Yates men went some way to making up for last Saturday's opening day defeat to St. Albans with a one-all draw at Burton on Tuesday night. Harriers fans will be hoping to see another positive performance, and hopefully a win, as the reds tackle newly promoted Northwich.

The Vics have had mixed start to their season. They won their opening game of the season against Cambridge with Kevin Townson scoring the only goal of the game at the Abbey. However, they found out that the Conference National won't all be plain sailing the following Tuesday when they went down by two goals to nil at home to Morecambe in front of 1346 at the recently opened Victoria Stadium.

Harriers are waiting on the fitness of Jeff Kenna and Jamie McClen before Saturday's game with Mark Yates undecided on whether he will again adopt the 4-5-1 formation used on Tuesday night.

The following travelling directions to Northwich are provided by http://www.northwichvics.co.uk:

M6, J19. Follow the A556 towards Northwich for approximately 3 miles. Turn right onto the A559 towards Lostock (just as the road becomes a dual carriageway). Turn right at the traffic lights immediately before the Slow and Easy public house. Turn left at the crossroads by the Black Greyhound public house (Signposted). Follow the road until the Renault Garage (Lookers), on the left, turn left into Wincham Avenue. The ground is at the bottom of the road on the right.

Rail Travel
Nearest railway station: Northwich (2 Miles) or Hartford (5 Miles)

Worcester fine Morrison

2006-08-17T15:02:00.000Z

Worcester City have fined their assistant manager Andy Morrison and banned him from the touchline for 3 games. This move comes as a result of an investigation into an incident that took place at the Worcester versus Kidderminster friendly game on 5th August 2006 at St. George's Lane.

City released the following statement:

Worcester City Football Club have completed a thorough investigation into the incident that happened during the recent pre-season friendly with Kidderminster Harriers. Allegations were made against Worcester City Football Club's Assistant Manager Andy Morrison and following a full enquiry and taking advice from our legal advisors and ACAS, the Board of Directors have unanimously decided to fine Andy the maximum allowed under FA guidelines, suspend him for 3 games (the suspension started on Thursday 10th August, and included the Barrow and Nuneaton games), and give him a warning to his future conduct.

The findings have been notified to Kidderminster Harriers Football Club and will be forwarded to the Football Association. The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to apologise to both sets of supporters for the abandonment of the game, following the decision of Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates to withdraw his players from the field of play.

Mark Yates decided to call his players off the pitch in the 70th minute following an off the field incident that Yates described as 'not in the true nature of the game.' The incident is thought to have involved Morrison and Harriers defender Mark Creighton (who had been substituted) and taken place in the Harriers dressing room. Morrison was thought to have been angry with Creigthon over a first-half challenge that resulted in City player Adam Webster being stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle. Later tests showed that the City player did not in fact suffer a break.

Harriers make point at the Pirelli

2006-08-16T17:10:00.001Z

Kidderminster Harriers battled to a point at Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium last night.

Kiddy boss Mark Yates surprised many of the 200+ travelling support by dropping strikers Dean Sturridge and Andy White and instead opting to play Luke Reynolds as the lone frontman in a 4-5-1 formation.

The first half was a closely fought affair with the Harriers showing that they were not about to show the soft underbelly that saw them undone against St. Albans on Saturday. Burton showed glimpses of why they are expected to be a dangerous side this season and it was Keith Gilroy who was often the Brewers' danger man.

Early on, Gilroy drew a late challenge from Jeff Kenna on the edge of the box but former Harrier Andy Ducros put his curling free-kick over the bar.

Harriers fans were often left frustrated by the ease at which Albion's players hit the ground and Russ Penn found himself in the referee's book in the first half. After 15 minutes Brian Smikle, starting his first game in a Kidderminster shirt, had a shot blocked by Tinson following good work from Blackwood. Shortly afterwards, Luke Reynolds dragged a shot wide following his own good running. Reynolds showed much enthusiasm and energy throughout the game and didn't seem to mind playing as the lone striker. Reynolds was supported by Russ Penn who played the farthest forwards out of Harriers three central midfielders. Penn shone throughout the game with his tireless effort and probing runs and was unlucky to see a 20-yard shot saved by Kevin Poole in the Albion goal.

Brewers fans felt they should have had a penalty as the first-half came to a close. Gilroy's fantastic 30-yard effort beat Bevan only to rebound off the bar into the path of Albion forward Shaun Harrad. It seemed that Harriers' Cowan had brought down Shaun Harrad just before he was about to make contact with the ball but the referee adjudged that Cowan won the ball before making contact with forward.

However, Burton did take the lead deep into the first-half injury time. Harriers failed to pick Gilroy up midway into their own half and the midfielder produced a superb through ball for the dangerous Daryl Clare. Clare managed to get a few yards on Mark Creighton and powered the ball first time past Bevan from just inside the penalty area.

Harriers started the second-half with renewed determination and pegged Albion back with a spell of corners and throws deep in Burton territory. Scott Cowan nearly drew Harriers level with a powerful header following a Sedgemore free-kick. Cowan's header was firm enough yet Poole was fortunate enough to be in the right place to divert the effort away from goal. Harriers did draw level shortly afterwards following a long throw from Jeff Kenna. Burton failed to clear their lines and Russ Penn was on hand to half-volley the ball through a crowd of players to make it one each.

The rest of the second-half was largely without clear cut chances and Harriers hopes looked to be pinned on a counter-attack. Burton made changes but could not break down the Harriers more resolute defence.

Gavin Hurren replaced Kenna at right-back but Mark Yates stuck with his system and indicated that he was content with a point. He resisted the temptation to bring on Dean Sturridge and the exhausted Luke Reynolds was only replaced by Andy White in stoppage time.

Harriers deserved their first point of the season and hope will be renewed amongst supporters following Saturday's poor home defeat to St. Albans.

Kiddy travel to Cheshire to face Northwich Victoria this Saturday. Mark Yates will hope to have Jamie McClen back from a back injury so that he can choose from a fully fit squad. The Vics lost two-nil at home to Morecambe last night following an open day victory at Cambridge last Saturday.

Harriers make point at the Pirelli

2006-08-16T17:10:00.000Z

Service will resume

2006-08-15T11:50:00.000Z

Apologies for lack of updates over the last 10 days- this is due to a badly timed holiday!

Kidderminster Harriers Unofficial News will resume normal service tomorrow with reaction from today's Conference match at Burton.

Hereford make winning start

2006-08-05T17:51:00.000Z

Hereford United, who made it to League 2 last season via the play-offs, got their first Football League campaign for nine years off to a winning start today with a two-nil win at Stockport. Fleetwood and Makandawire got the goals for the Bulls who spent long periods of the game soaking up County pressure. Former Harrier Gareth Sheldon, who's summer move to Edgar Street was somewhat of a surprise, started the game but was substituted after 71 minutes.

Conference champions Accrington Stanley lost two-nil at Chester. Former Harriers hitman Drewe Broughton, making his debut for Chester, opened the scoring early on with a free header. Blundell got the second from the spot. John Danby was in goal for Chester who also has Dean Bennett in their starting eleven.

Cheltenham Town made an impressive start to life back in League 1 with a win at Swansea.

Other former Harriers on the scoresheet today included Colin Larkin (Chesterfield), Andy Bishop (Bury) and Simon Brown (Mansfield).

Worcester v Kidderminster

2006-08-05T17:46:00.000Z

Kidderminster were two goals to the good today when the friendly with Worcester City was abandoned with 15 minutes remaining (see below).

Mark Creighton and Michael Blackwood grabbed Kidderminster's goals. Harriers lined up as follows:

Bevan, Kenna, Harkness, Hurren, Creighton, Penn, Smikle, McClen, Blackwood, White, Reynolds

Please note: the details in the story below are alleged and a Kidderminster Harriers statement can be seen at www.harriers.co.uk

Friendly ends in farce

2006-08-05T15:55:00.000Z

Kidderminster's friendly at Worcester today was sensationally abandoned when Mark Yates ordered his players off the pitch.

It is thought that Yates was unhappy with an alleged incident that occurred in the changing rooms involving Harriers' Mark Creighton and a member of Worcester's backroom staff. Creighton had just been substituted and it is believed the Worcester assistant manager may have confronted the player following an incident earlier in the game where a Worcester player suffered an injury.

It seems that Yates asked the referee to address the incident and, when the referee did not do anything, Yates decided to remove his players.

12th man revealed

2006-08-05T15:12:00.000Z

Harriers latest signing is Stuart Berrington. Harriers fan Berrington is the winner of the club's auction for a place in Harriers 2006-2007 squad. Stuart will take his place in his shirt for Harriers' squad photocall next week and his name and profile will appear in every programme, home and away, this season! The result was announced at the clubs Sponsors' Evening on Thursday evening. Congratulations Stuart!

Meanwhile, the club are still inviting supporters to submit questions for next weeks fans forum. Boss Mark Yates and Chairman Barry Norgrove will face fans in the Aggborough Suite next Thursday just two days before the season opener against St. Albans.

Harriers Chairman nearly quit

2006-08-03T11:43:00.000Z

Kidderminster Harriers' Chairman Barry Norgrove has revealed he nearly quit his position at the club after just two months at the helm. Norgrove successfully took control at Aggborough last July following lengthy dealings with former Chairman Lionel Newton regarding his controlling shares in the club.

Norgrove has today revealed to the Kidderminster Shuttle that he was shocked to learn about the bills and debts he inherited as the incoming KHFC supremo. In a revealing interview Norgrove finally lifts the lid on some of the turmoil the club has gone through over the last 12 months:

the late takeover deal meant preparations for our first season back in the Conference were hindered with Stuart Watkiss (Harriers then manager) unable to bring in the players he wanted
money that had been put forward to be invested in the club/squad was quickly used up paying debts and bills
the club have been paying 7-8 former players over the last 12 months including Micky Mellon (who left 20 months ago), Sean Flynn, Martin O'Connor and former boss Stuart Watkiss- again, this ate into the playing budget for 2005-2006
the club is now a happier place following the departure of many of the previous backroom staff and the introduction of the likes of Neil Howarth and Ian Foster
Jan Molby would often return to Liverpool between games whereas Mark Yates, by living locally, is prepared to work all hours to take the club forward
his home life and personal business has suffered due to the stress of keeping the club running and poor performances on the pitch- Norgrove reveals he thought of resigning just two months into the job because of abuse from fans and the difficulties at the club

However, Norgrove now claims that the club's fans can genuinely look forward to the future under an ambitious and hard working Mark Yates. The club are now only paying players in the current squad and Mark Yates has been able to come to the board with a request to sign any player he wishes- obviously, each player, and the resources needed to bring him in, is discussed individually but Norgrove is keen to emphasise the good working relationship between the board room and the dug out.

Club director and millionaire Gordan Howard has also returned to the fold following the fantastic news that his teenage daughter, who was diagnosed with cancer, has gone into remission. It is hoped that the Bermuda-based business man will be able to have more of an input into the club this season.

Sturridge tipped to be a hotshot

2006-08-02T15:58:00.000Z

Dean Sturridge has been tipped to be amongst the Conference top scorers next season by SkyBet. Sturridge's move to Harriers raised one or two eyebrows in non-league circles given that the player had, until recently, been playing Championship level football.

Harriers fans will be hoping Deano comes up with the goods in front of goal. Last season's top scorer, Iyseden Christie, moved to Rochdale in the January transfer window and behind him came Taiwo Atieno (5) and Luke Reynolds (4). Sturridge is 12/1 to be top marksmen with Burton's Daryl Clare and Stevenage's Tony Thorpe fancied at 10/1. Andy White is priced at 33/1

Odds for the Conference top scorer:

Clare D 10/1
Thorpe T 10/1
Boylan L 12/1
Sturridge D 12/1
Twiss M 16/1
Basham S 16/1
Donaldson C 16/1
Phillips L 20/1
Stamp D 20/1
McDonald C 20/1
Stansfield A 20/1
Griffin C 25/1
McLean A 25/1
Oli D 25/1
Killeen L 25/1
Odubade Y 25/1
Fortune-West L 25/1
Purser W 25/1

Sky Blues sink Harriers

2006-08-02T10:48:00.001Z

Harriers last night lost at home by five goals to one in front of a crowd of 834 to Championship outfit Coventry City.

Harriers starting line-up was Taylor, Kenna, Harkness, Creighton, Whitehead, McClen, Penn, Sedgemore, Blackwood, White, Sturridge

Harriers took the lead on 9 minutes when Michael Blackwood disposessed David McNamee and calmly slotted the ball home from a narrow angle. However, City's slick passing and superior movement meant that a Sky Blue victory was never really in doubt.

City levelled on 23 minutes thanks to a drive from trialist Faygal El Idrissi and then made it two after 33 minutes thanks to a Dele Adebola close range header. Adebola made it three just before the break as he ran clear and beat Taylor in the Harriers goal to score his second of the game.

Coventry scored twice more after the break as substitutions resulted in a stop-start affair. Adebola completed a hat-trick with a 63rd minute header and Moussa N'Diaye scored the fifth with in the 84th minute.

For Harriers, Steve Taylor played 90 minutes in goal but fans will still expect to see Scott Bevan claim the goalkeeper starting berth a week on Saturday. New boy Jeff Kenna played 78 minutes whilst Creighton, Sedgemore and Penn managed all 90. McClen's move to the right-side of midfield did him no favours and Smikle and Russell will likely battle it out for that spot for the St. Albans opener. Yates still hasn't made it clear who will be his centre midfield two from McClen, Penn and Sedgemore and, similarly, he has options from Creighton, Whitehead, Hurren and Kenna for his centre-back partnership- indications are that he will go with Creighton and Whitehead with Kenna playing at right-back.

Many feel it is, again, two from three for the two striking positions- Sturridge, Reynolds and White will all feel they warrant a starting place with Scott Eaton probably accepting he may have to wait for his chance in the first team. Sturridge, Reynolds and White all have different attributes and it is up to Yates to decide which partnership will compliment the most.

Yates has his last chance at tinkering this Saturday as Harriers face old foes Worcester City at St.Georges' Lane. Yates may well opt to start the game with the XI who will face St. Albans in the Conference curtain opener a week later.

Trialist Preece ends up at the Lawn

2006-08-01T20:18:00.000Z

19 year-old centre-back Mark Preece has signed a 6-month contract with Forest Green Rovers.

Preece featured for Harriers in a number of pre-season friendlies whilst also turning out for Forest Green. The youngster did pretty well in aHarriers shirt and there were those who thought Yates may have offered the former Bristol Rovers player a deal at Aggborough. This may have happened with the player preferring to choose Forest Green but, at the moment, it is assumed that Preece was released as a Harriers trialist along with many of the other hopefuls.

Forest Green's club secretary released the following statement on their official forum:

The club have offered defender Mark Preece an opportunity to establish himself as a Conference National player. Just turned 19, Mark had previously been with Bristol Rovers and he has made several good impressions pre season at FGR. With the experience of Christian Edwards and Tony Butler and other seasoned pros at the club, it is felt that Mark could very well reach his potential. Certainly it is looking good for the club as an even younger Paul Stonehouse has been setting bench marks to the other players. Initially, Mark has signed up until 30th January 2007.

17/1 for the title

2006-08-01T19:48:00.000Z

Harriers are currently 17/1 with William Hill to win the Conference next season. William Hill clearly see Harriers of more than a threat than www.bet365.com who place Harriers at 26/1 to take the Championship. Coral rate Harriers chances as slimmer as Mark Yates men are given a price of 28/1. However, Coral will give you 14/1 on Harriers regaining their Football League place via the title or the play-offs whilst www.bet365.com offer 12/1 for a Harriers promotion. If you are a sadist Harriers fan you can get odds of just 4/1 with www.bet365.com that Kiddy will get relegated.

William Hill's full set of title odds can be seen below. Stevenage Boro still remain favourites by virtue of their strong showing last campaign, and relegated Oxford are also fancied. St. Albans, Stafford, Forest Green, Altrincham and Crawley are all tipped to be amongst the strugglers.

Stevenage
9/2

Oxford
6/1

Morecambe
8/1

Grays
9/1

Rushden
10/1

Halifax
11/1

Exeter
12/1

Aldershot
12/1

York
16/1

Weymouth
16/1

Kidderminster
16/1

Burton
16/1

Cambridge
20/1

Northwich
25/1

Woking
28/1

Dagenham
28/1

Stafford
40/1

Gravesend
40/1

St Albans
50/1

Southport
50/1

Forest Green
50/1

Altrincham
50/1

Tamworth
66/1

Crawley
100/1

Site plea

2006-08-01T19:41:00.000Z

Harriers drew nil-nil with Halesowen Town last Saturday.

Kidderminster Harriers Unofficial News apologises for the slow updating of this Harriers news story. Match reports for this game can be found at:

www.harriers.co.uk
www.harriers-online.co.uk
www.kidderminsterharriers.com

Once again, the site editor is looking for another Harriers fan to come on board to keep this blog updated as often as possible. If you have your pulse on KHFC and Conference Football I need to hear from you: jonosmithuk@yahoo.co.uk

Burgess joins the Boro

2006-08-01T19:35:00.000Z

Former Harrier Daryl Burgess has signed for Conference North side Nuneaton Boro.

Centre-half Burgess arrived at Aggborough last close season with a wealth of Football League experience. The 35-year old spent most of his career at The Hawthorns with West Brom but also had spells at Northampton and Rochdale. He made 37 appearances for Harriers last season but never really became a crowd favourite with the Aggborough faithful despite captaining the side on many occassions.

Kenna signs in at Aggborough

2006-08-01T19:24:00.000Z

Harriers have announced the signing of former Birmingham City captain Jeff Kenna.

Kenna was club captain at Championship side Derby County last season but was released at the end of the campaign. The Dublin born defender, who is expected to take up one of the full-back positions in Mark Yates' squad, has a wealth of experience at the top level of English football in a career taking in stays at Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City. Kenna, who has represented the Republic of Ireland 27 times, is now 35 years old and has signed a one-year deal at Aggborough.

Kenna's playing statistics:

Born: 27.08.1970, Dublin, Ireland
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 12st 2lbs

Ca$reer:
1989 to 1995 Southampton 124 appearances (starting appearances including league, FA and league cups)
1995 to 2002 Blackburn Rovers 185 appearances
2001 Tranmere Rovers (loan) 11 appearances
2001 Wigan Athletic (loan) 7 appearances
2002 Birmingham City (loan) 6 appearances
2002 to 2004 Birmingham City 71 appearances
2004 to 2006 Derby County 68 appearances

Kenna is in the Harriers squad to face Coventry City at Aggborough in Harriers penultimate warm-up game.

Two sign on at Kiddy

2006-07-28T09:36:00.000Z

Harriers yesterday announced the signings of Brian Smikle and Scott Eaton.

Smikle, who has featured and caught the eye in all pre-season friendlies, is a young winger who spent time as a trainee with West Bromwich Albion. Smikle enjoyed his first tast of senior football with Hereford United in 2005 when he made 3 appearances whilst on-loan at Edgar Street. He also had a run in the play-off chasing Halifax Town side towards the end of last season- again on loan. Upon his release from the Hawthorns in the close season Harriers boss Mark Yates was quick to invite the player to Aggborough. It is fair to say that Smikle has been the most impressive player in pre-season and Yates was delighted when he accepted a one-year deal at Aggborough:

He's a great lad with a great attitude and he's done well. He's something different to what we've got and he's got plenty of pace and he can get into wide areas.

Harriers have also announced the signing of young forward Scott Eaton. Eaton scored 11 goals in Harriers youth team last season and he has also found the back of the net in the friendly games this season- most notably a 30-yard effort at Bromsgrove. Eaton will probably start the season behind Dean Sturridge, Andy White and Luke Reynolds in the pecking order for first team. Eaton is looking forward to his first season as a professional:

From now on its all about working hard ready for the new season. I enjoy having a lot of shots and I love trying to get on the end of anything.

The two signings bring Harriers squad up to 18 (including assistant boss Neil Howarth). Mark Yates has signalled that two more faces are likely to make up the squad with the full-back positions being a priority. Yates is thought to be monitoring a right-back although the new players look unlikely to come from any of the other trialists who, it is thought, have been let go by Yates.

Harriers humbled by Swifts

2006-07-27T11:04:00.000Z

Kidderminster Harriers lost their first pre-season game last night as they went down by two goals to nil at Southern League Midland Division One side Stourport Swifts.

Harriers again fielded a clutch of trialists in their starting line-up, including full-backs Briscoe and Anderson, Jordan Fitzpatrick and centre-back Mark Preece. With three friendlies left to play, Mark Yates will not have been impressed with the performances of some non-signed and signed players as Harriers struggled to settle down at Walshes Meodow.

The starting forward partnership of Andy White and Dean Sturridge looked decidedly toothless as neither player seemed willing to chase the ball or create their own space. Brian Smikle, the young winger who is stongly tipped to become a permanent signing, was again a bright spot on the right-hand side. Things improved in the second half with the introduction of Penn and McClen in midfield but Harriers still looked unlikely to trouble Swifts goal.

A full match report can be read here:

http://www.harriers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10438~873145,00.html

Harriers fans will be expecting to see a more settled side when Harriers travel to Halesowen Town on Saturday (3pm) and will look forward to the visit of Coventry City (7.45pm) on Tuesday night. Kiddy finish their pre-season preparations at Worcester City (3pm) the following Saturday.

** Meanwhile, former Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss has been given the chance to get back into senior football management at Grimsby Town. Watkiss has been appointed assistant manager at Blundell Park.

Bromsgrove 0 v 4 Harriers

2006-07-24T10:58:00.000Z

Such a scoreline ten years ago would have filled the hearts of Kiddy fans with joy but, nowadays, it simply signals an efficient friendly win against opposition from lower down the pyramid.

Mark Yates again chose to cycle his group of players between both halves of the game, but the Harriers still managed a convincing victory on a hot day.

A match report can be seen here:

http://www.harriers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10438~871084,00.html

Harriers goals came from the impressive Sedgemore, Michael McGrath, Bob Taylor and Scott Eaton.

Steve May, a right-back formerly with Brighton, played the first 45 minutes and was the only new trialist of the game. Of the previous trialists, only Brian Smikle, who again impressed, Jordan Fitzpatrick, Mark Preece, Martin Naylor and Scott Eaton remained.

After the game, boss Yates talked about the problems he and assistant Neil Howarth faced in deciding who of the unsigned players to offer deals to.

Courtney rejects Harriers

2006-07-21T17:18:00.000Z

Mark Yates has been knocked back following an attempt to sign a player he coached whilst at Burnley.

Duane Courtney, a 21-year old defender, was advised by his agent to turn down the move to Aggborough, with the players advisor believing a better offer will come his player's way.

Courtney was signed for £25,000 by Clarets manager Steve Cotterill after winning the Player of the Season award at AFC Telford for 2004-2005. However, the youngster found first team opportunities hard to come by at Turf Moor, finding it difficult to oust Michael Duff from the right-back spot. Courtney played for Derby as a schoolboy and Birmingham as a trainee.

Be Kiddy's 12th man!

2006-07-21T12:07:00.000Z

Kidderminster Harriers have launched another fundraising scheme and have given one lucky Harriers fan the chance of being included as part of next season's playing squad.

The winner of the competition will be officially registered as a Harriers player and given the number 12 squad shirt. The auction winner will also get to appear in the team's roll-call squad photo shoot and will appear in the KHFC squad list in all programmes, home and away, next season.

When the 2000 seater East Stand was built at Aggborough, the club ran a similar scheme whereby a supporter had the chance to name the new structure. However, whilst that competition was a straight raffle, the squad-number will be auctioned to the highest bidder. Fans (and businesses) are invited to email their offer to the club by Thursday 3rd August at info@harriers.co.uk. The bids will be revealed at a Sponsors Evening in the Aggborough Suite later that day.

It is hoped this venture will raise extra revenue for the club. The club and Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Trust (KHIST) also recently launched the Red Army Fund where fans have the opportunity to contribute directly to Mark Yates' playing budget. See http://www.khist.org.uk/06ra.htm

Danby Chester's number 1?

2006-07-21T11:05:00.000Z

Former Harriers goalkeeper John Danby looks set to be Chester City's first choice goalkeeper. Danby, who was released by Mark Yates at the end of last season, made 80 appearances for the Harriers in a five year spell at Aggborough. One or two eyebrows were raised when Yates let the keeper, who is still only 22, go.

Chester boss Mark Wright is keen to sign another keeper but accepts that Danby may well start the season between the sticks at the Deva Stadium. Wright is keen to get Danby some training with a Premiership club so that the shot-stopper can work on a few aspects of his game.

Article from Chester Chronicle:

CHESTER City want John Danby to train with a Premiership club to get the rookie keeper in shape for a possible first-team debut on August 5. Danby was signed from Kidderminster Harriers in May to provide back-up to a more experienced number one. But the subsequent departure of Chris MacKenzie and Wayne Brown has left the 22-year-old as the only keeper currently on the Blues' books. City manager Mark Wright has not given up hope of bringing in a senior stopper, but time is running out fast and Danby could find himself playing in Chester's League Two opener against Accrington Stanley next month.Wright said: 'We're trying to get John to go out to a few Premiership sides to get some coaching. If we can, we'll try to ask a few favours.'He needs to work on a couple of things and we haven't got a goalkeeping coach, so it's difficult for him.'If we had an experienced goalkeeper here now, he'd be coaching him.'