|
|
** LATEST NEWS **
- 24 April
Brit Confirmed As New Manager
Ian Britton has this evening been confirmed as the new manager of Kidderminster Harriers,
making his caretaker position permanent. He has signed a contract which will
keep him in charge for two years. No assistant has been named yet, Brit will
make the appointment during the close season.
- 24 April
Harriers Lift Senior Cup
Harriers were defeated by Moor Green at Aggborough this evening in the second leg
of the Worcestershire Senior Cup Final but still took the trophy 2-1 on aggregate.
A first half goal from Danny Scheppel was enough to sink a strong Harriers side that
never really hit top form in a dour match.
- 22 April
Four Players Released
Harriers have today announced that four of the eight out-of-contract
players have been released.
As expected, Ben Davies and Peter Faulds follow Tony Bird through
the exit and they are surprisingly joined by Ian Clarkson.
Davies and Faulds have found opportunities limited this season,
Faulds has yet to figure in the Football League although he did play
and score in the Worcestershire Senior Cup campaign. Bird has
also been on the fringes of the squad after having a falling out with
previous manager Jan Molby.
Ian Clarkson, however, has been a regular throughout the season
at right-back and has also carried out the role of Assistant Manager
to Ian Britton.
Also leaving the club will be Michael Keegan who has been on trial
for several weeks since his release by Swansea City.
The other four players, Scott Stamps, Richie Appleby, Ian Foster
and John Danby have all been offered new deals although no details have
been released yet.
- 22 April
Decision Time Looms For Harriers Squad
Eight Harriers players are out of contract and talks are set to
begin with caretaker-manager Ian Britton to decide their futures.
The eight are John Danby, Scott Stamps, Ian Foster, Richie Appleby,
Ben Davies, Tony Bird, Ian Clarkson and Peter Faulds. Of these
Tony Bird has already stated that he intends to leave the club and
try to resurrect his career elsewhere and in his post-match interview
on Saturday Brit suggested that the squad will be smaller next season.
Ben Davies and Peter Faulds may feel that their positions are insecure
as the club will want to hold onto the better players such as Appleby,
Stamps and Foster. There is an option for another year on Faulds'
contract but that may not be exercised by the club for a player who
had found opportunities extremely limited this season and in fact has
yet to make his Football League debut. Davies can consider himself
unlucky also if he is not kept on as he had never let the side down
when called upon and was one of the most consistent performers in the
opening games of the season when he stood in for the suspended Danny
Williams.
John Danby can be fairly certain of being retained if for no other
reason than the club cannot really afford to bring anybody better in
to replace him, although he is talented enough on his own merits anyway
and will surely net the club some money in the future in transfer fees.
The remaining four, Clarkson, Stamps, Foster and Appleby have all
been quoted stating their desire to remain at the club. Rumours
have been circulating for some time that Stamps has had an offer from
Cheltenham Town, obviously if this is true he will be waiting to see
the offer from the Harriers before making a decision. The club
is also likely to do all that it can to keep hold of the remaining three
with Appleby being the number one priority as he is generally acknowledged
to be one of the best players in the division.
Local businessman Ernie Lane who has recently been campaigning to
raise funds for the club last week was quoted as saying that he hoped
that the money would go towsards the playing budget so that it would
remain at the current levels rather than having to be cut. It is
to be hoped that this course of action can be facilitated in some way
because even if some of the out-of-contract players are released there
will be little or no flexibility for the new manager when appointed.
The lack of funds also means that the club will be unable to protect
some of the more promising youngsters by offering them contracts. Along
with John Danby and Matt Lewis who are already contracted there are
players such as Scott Lower, Phil Garner, Inderpaul Khela, Adam Smallman,
Lee Yates and Richard Langford who are all capable of making the breakthrough
into the first team. Indeed, if Ian Britton is given the managers'
job on a permanent basis then his knowledge of their abilities makes
it even more likely that they will figure at some point next season
if the club can keep hold of them.
Decisions are likely to be made this week on the futures of all
of the players in question and also on the all important issue of who
is going to lead the team next season with caretaker Ian Britton seemingly
favourite for the job.
- 21 April
Brit Positive In Defeat
"It's the story of our season" - Ian Britton
Harriers manager Ian Britton ended his spell as Caretaker-Manager with a home
defeat but was upbeat about the way the season has gone on the field. Of yesterday's
defeat he said, "It's disappointing but it's been the story of our season. We had
enough chances to have had it sewn up by half-time and it could gave been four or
five. Their keeper was the best player on the pitch but we've given a sloppy goal
away as usual and it has cost us. It was a poor goal from the way we lined up for
the free kick to the way Brock dealt with it.
"We have made progress and nearly made the play-offs. I think it has been an excellent
season, especially when you consider that a lot of these players are still on a learning
curve. And, with all the trauma going on in the last five or six weeks you've got
to give credit to them. They can improve on things, like the strike rate, but you
can see what this side can do. We gave a poor goal away today, but defensively we're
quite solid". Harriers actually have the second best defensive record in the division.
He continued, "Richie Appleby had an excellent game and most of the good stuff went
through him. For a Third Division player he's real quality and the kind we want to
keep, but we'll just have to wait and see. You won't see 25 pros here next season".
- 20 April
Harriers Grounded By Os
A seventh minute goal by Dean Smith from a free-kick ensured that Harriers'
Third Division campaign ended in defeat. Harriers dominated the game and should
have won as they created a string of chances that they were unable to convert, Dean
Bennett and Colin Larkin were the worst culprits missing nine chances between them
without troubling the keeper.
- 19 April
Leyton Orient Preview
The Third Division season draws to a close tomorrow with Harriers looking to
end on a high by beating Leyton Orient at Aggborough.
Harriers are already guaranteed a top-ten finish, but a victory and results elsewhere
could lift them as high as eighth. Ian Britton does have a selection headache,
however, as four players will be missing through suspension, Scott Stamps and Drewe
Broughton serve the second games of a two-match ban while Abdou Sall serves a one game
ban and Ian Foster begins a three game ban which will carry over into next season.
On the injury front, apart from Mark Blake the only problems are for Stamps, who
is unavailable anyway, and Ian Clarkson whose groin is still troublesome.
The visitors have few selection problems for manager Paul Brush who could include
in his side Carl Hutchings who Jan Molby tried to bring to Aggborough at the start of
the season.
Harriers will be looking to complete their fourth double of the season having
won 3-1 at Brisbane Road earlier in the season when both Bo Henriksen and Richie
Appleby came off the bench to score on their debuts. For a full rundown of
previous meetings, click here.
I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Brock, Clarkson, Joy, Bennett, Hinton,
Smith, Larkin, Williams, Bird, Henriksen, Appleby.
- 15 April
Brit Delighted To Beat Diamonds
"It's about time Lady Luck smiled on me" - Ian Britton
Harriers manager Ian Britton was delighted with Harriers' performance in
Saturday's victory over Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park.
Speaking after the game he said, "To be fair to them, they had a couple of chances
in the first half... It's about time lady luck smiled on me for a change. We've
created three or four chances and we should have buried them in the end. We've
worked very hard again and we kept at it under pressure. We deserved to win in the end.
"Ever since I've been in charge the attitude has been spot on, and that's been proved
in the games we played. I don't care how the goals came, at the end of the day a
goal is a goal".
Brian Talbot, the Rushden manager, had few complaints about the defeat but felt
that his side had had no luck, "I wouldn't say we deserved to win but I thought in the
first-half we had three of the best chances with Onandi Lowe, Brett Angell and then Paul
Hall and we missed them all. Then we made a horrendous mistake with Stuart Wardley
and a bad defensive error. Then their goalkeeper makes a great save from Onandi
Lowe and then from Wardley and then we hit the crossbar. So you could say we didn't
have any luck and then they break away and another defensive mix-up cost us. It was
two bad goals for us and they obviously cost us the match".
- 13 April
Harriers Dull The Diamonds
Two second half goals gave Harriers a well-deserved victory at Nene Park over
Rushden. A terrible mistake by Diamonds' Stewart Wardley gifted the opener to
Richie Appleby, and poor defending helped Dean Bennett set up Bo Henriksen for the
second. The woodwork twice saved Harriers but they defended resolutely and
held on for the points.
- 12 April
Rushden & Diamonds Preview
It's a throwback to the Conference days tomorrow when Harriers travel to Nene
Park for a game against League newcomers Rushden.
The Diamonds still have a chance of making automatic promotion, although it's
not much better than Harriers' chances of reaching the play-offs. An all
ticket crowd is expected to sell out for a one of the biggest games of the season
for both sides, Harriers have sold nearly all of their allocation of 600 tickets.
Harriers have no new injury worries although Ian Clarkson's groin is still a
worry. More of a problem for Ian Britton is the loss of Scott Stamps and
Drewe Broughton through suspension, both players will miss the next two games
as they have accumulated 10 bookings.
Rushden manager Brian Talbot will be without Richie Hanlon who has a hamstring
injury, but will have Gary Butterworth available after a six week absence through
injury. Also doubtful are Duane Darby, Stuart Gray and Andrew Sambrook.
The first meeting of the teams in November saw a comfortable 3-0 win for
the Harriers who recorded their a consecutive victory for the first time since
joining the league. For a rundown of previous encounters, click here.
I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Brock, Clarkson, Joy, Bennett, Hinton, Sall,
Larkin, Williams, Bird, Foster, Appleby.
- 10 April
Reserves' Promotion Hopes Over
Harriers Reserves were this afternoon held to a 1-1 draw at Mansfield in their
final Central League game of the season. This result, along with Hull City's
win at Halifax means that Harriers finish third and Hull take the second promotion
spot behind champions Macclesfield. All Harriers have left now is a two-legged
Royal Infirmary Cup Final against Stourport Swifts on dates to be confirmed.
- 9 April
New Stand Construction Delayed
Harriers have announced that the construction of a new 2400 seat stand, due to take
place in the summer, has been delayed until next year. The collapse of ITV Digital
has meant that the club cannot be certain of recieving the £200000 plus that they
are due from the television deal which would have been used to subsidise the building
work. To conform to League regulations, Harriers have to install at least 900
more seats so that they have a minimum of 2000. Unlike the old Conference days
when ground improvements had to be in place six months before they were required,
now Harriers are in the League they have three years to comply. This means
that the seats must be in position before the start of the 2003/2004 season.
- 7 April
Brit Disappointed With Draw
Harriers boss Ian Britton was disappointed with the draw yesterday which all but
ended their hopes of getting into the play-offs. He said, "The lads are gutted.
This is after a draw. They're gutted that they haven't taken the three points.
They know they should have taken them. Again, they have worked hard in difficult
conditions, bouncy pitch, strong and gusty wind. You ask them to create chances and
they did, but we didn't put them away. You can't ask anymore than that.
"It's easy to be critical of the players after the game - there are certain things
that we should perhaps work on - there are only two games left though so it becomes
difficult to change things round. I'll talk with the players during the week
about putting their foot through the ball in certain situations. Too often we
play in areas where we ought to get it down the other end, then the ball comes back
too quickly. There are only minor things, but it's the little things that matter.
"This team wants to play attractive football, and we'll carry on doing that to the
end of the season".
Lincoln manager Alan Buckley accepted that his side had robbed Harriers, but was
pleased that for once the luck had gone for his team. "It makes a change for us to
get a late equaliser because it's happened against us a few times this season. I
thought 0-0 at half-time was about right and we wanted to start the second-half well
which we didn't. Our lads are a bit incensed because they said their lad handled
the ball before putting it into the net. There was not a lot in the game really,
we never really got our football going but at least we stuck at it. I think on
chances we got some really good balls into the box first-half which we didn't make
enough of. We had Battersby through first-half and Thorpe in the second-half
and we'd hope for a little bit better finishing".
- 6 April
Harriers Denied By Late Equaliser
An equaliser two minutes into stoppage time with the last kick of the game cost
Harriers victory over Lincoln and almost certainly ended the club's chances of making
the play-offs. Harriers had had most of the possession and the best of the
chances and took the lead early in the second half. They looked set to take
all three points until sloppy defending at a 92nd minute corner allowed Dave Cameron
to hook in Lincoln's equaliser.
- 6 April
Lincoln City Preview
Harriers will be back to full strength this afternoon for the visit of Lincoln
City to Aggborough.
Ian Britton welcomes back to the squad Colin Larkin after he missed the last
two games having had surgery, leaving only long-term injury victim Mark Blake as the
only absentee. Hopefully, all of the first choice players should be refreshed
after their exertions at Bristol on Monday and then being rested for the midweek game
at Moor Green.
Lincoln were only saved from the threat of relegation on Monday when Harriers'
defeat condemned Halifax. They now find themselves second from bottom and have
failed to win for eight games, another defeat for them today would mean a third double
of the season for Harriers and would keep Harriers' fading play-off hopes alive.
The meeting of the sides at Sincil Bank earlier in the season ended with a 1-0
Harriers victory with Dean Bennett's late strike wrapping up the points. For a
rundown on previous encounters, click here.
I expect Harriers to line-up as follows: Brock, Clarkson, Stamps, Bennett, Hinton, Sall,
Larkin, Williams, Broughton, Foster, Appleby.
- 4 April
Molby Takes Over At Hull
Former Harriers manager Jan Molby has been appointed as the new boss of Hull
City, his first game in charge will see The Tigers take on in-form Luton Town.
The Harriers Board of Directors have now placed the matter in the hands of their
solicitors and further developments are expected as they pursue Hull for some form
of compensation.
- 4 April
Harriers Take First-Leg Lead
Two first half goals gave Harriers a 2-0 lead after the first leg of the Worcestershire
Senior Cup Final. Daire Doyle's third minute strike, his first for the club,
and a second from Sam Shilton on nineteen minutes wrapped up the win for Harriers in
what became a very disappointing game.
- 3 April
Bird Hoping To Stay
Harriers forgotten man Tony Bird has spoken of his desire to kick-start his
Harriers career now that Jan Molby has left.
Speaking to reporters he said, "It feels as though a weight has been lifted off
my shoulders. No-one could say myself and the gaffer saw eye to eye and
we had a couple of run-ins. He took exception to something, I don't know
what, but he's gone for a fresh start and hopefully I can have the same. As
long as he was here, I was gone. I had no desire to stay.
"But, now he's gone and if someone comes in and fancies me, then I'd be more
than happy to stay now. I was out of the first team for four months, playing
in the reserves. But the first thing Brit said to me was 'you'll be playing up front'.
"I'm very disappointed Gary Barnett left. I thought he would have had a
go at managing us, but his loyalties lie with Jan."
- 3 April
Moor Green Preview
Harriers travel to Dr Martens League Moor Green tomorrow for the first leg of
the Worcestershire Senior Cup Final and a chance to pick up some silverware.
Moor Green are just emerging from an indifferent run of form and have lost
just twice in the last seven games having failed to win any of the previous
five. On Monday they were held 1-1 at home by Ilkeston Town with John Gayle
scoring their goal. There are Harriers connections in the Moor Green squad,
Kim Casey has made an appearance for them this season but has now left the club,
Stewart Brighton and Dennis Mulholland are still there and are key members of the squad.
Harriers will probably use the players on the fringes of the squad and some of
the youngsters in the game to avoid risking any unnecessary injuries before Saturday's
vital League game against Lincoln.
Last season Moor Green defeated Harriers at the semi-final stage of this competition,
their first win over the Harriers since 1962/63 ending a run of 10 straight Harriers
wins. For a full rundown on previous encounters, click here.
I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Danby, Davies, Joy, Doyle, Khela, Ayres,
Faulds, Corbett, Bird, Lewis, Shilton.
- 2 April
Brit Blames The Referee
Harriers manager Ian Britton held referee Fraser Stretton responsible for
yesterday's defeat at Bristol Rovers which put a major dent in the Reds' hopes of a
place in the play-offs.
Of the performance of the stand-in referee he said, "I can't say a lot or I'll
get in to trouble, suffice to say I thought he was a disgrace". The caretaker-manager
then went on to praise his weary players after they had battled against the odds to try
and save the game, "I'm very disappointed about this afternoon and I'm terribly
disappointed by some of the decisions. In the end we definitely deserved a draw - the
decisions went against us. What can you do? it wasn't a penalty, he was outside the
box. How can the ref give a penalty when he's 30 yards behind the play? The linesman
hasn't given it. The lads worked very very hard. They really believed
that they could get something out of the game".
Rovers boss Garry Thompson joined in the condemnation of the referee saying, "I
was lost for words at times with all the red cards being bandied about. I was
wondering if we were going to be able to finish the game. I've rarely been happy
with referees over the last few weeks, and I wasn't happy with some of his decisions
today. The first one at the time it happened I did think it was in the area,
but my view wasn't the best and I'll have to see it again. But, if the referee
decides that it was a foul, then he was the last man, and he had to go. The
second one I thought was harsh. The ball came back to him off Sergio and it hit
his hands more than anything deliberate. The third one I don't know because I
didn't hear what was said". He was, however, pleased to have won the game although
his players didn't achieve it in the manner in which he would have liked, "At the end
of the day we took the three points and that's the most important thing. There
were a lot of things I wasn't happy with today, and I've told them that. We
didn't move the ball around enough, we didn't use width, we didn't pass it, we didn't
move, we didn't exploit the space, we didn't make them work, but all that said, they
did stick at it and they did get the result in the end. They made it difficult
as any team would, maybe hoping to nick a goal on the break or from a set-piece. If
we had nine men, we would put players behind the ball as well. They sat back,
and every time it bounced, they kicked it clear, but we kept playing into their hands
by knocking it high. I was shouting at them to get it down, but we'll go away
and work on things having won the match".
- 1 April
Harriers Hijacked By Pirates
An amazing match at Bristol Rovers' Memorial Ground saw Harriers' play-off hopes
take another setback with a 2-1 defeat. Harriers had three players sent-off, Abdou
Sall was first back in the dressing room after just four minutes for a professional
foul, next was on loan goalkeeper Gary Montgomery on the stroke of half-time for a
controversial deliberate handball decision and finally Ian Foster two minutes from the
end for foul and abusive language after he protested about Rovers' winning goal when
John Danby was fouled.
|
