St@tto's Kidderminster Harriers Diary
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** LATEST NEWS **
30 May Big Boys Set To Visit Aggborough Top Premiership players could grace the hallowed Aggborough turf after it was revealed that West Bromwich Albion are planning to play some of their Premier Reserve League games in Kidderminster next term. In recent seasons The Baggies Reserves have played the winter section of their campaign at Halesowen Town but now feel that it is time for a change to bigger and better facilities. Secretary John Evans told the official Albion website, "Halesowen have been marvellous hosts in recent seasons, they've gone to enormous lengths to give us the best possible hospitality. We appreciate their efforts and will make every attempt to continue co-operating with them. It was felt, however, by our coaching staff that Kidderminster's larger and better equipped stadium would provide a better background for developing young players, and for senior players involved in reserve team fixtures. We look forward to a mutually profitable and enjoyable relationship with our new partners at Aggborough. Halesowen were well aware we were holding discussions with Kidderminster and were informed of our decision before anyone else". Teams in the Northern section of the Premier Reserve league this season were: Aston Villa, Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Sunderland, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers. 30 May Skipper Signs On Again Sean Flynn has put pen to paper on the extension to his contract, keeping him at Aggborough for another twelve months. Manager Ian Britton told the club's Official Website, "We know he's coming to the twilight of his career but he is probably one of the fittest players at the club. Some of the other players could learn a lot from him. We have a lot of young players and we do need a bit of experience in the side as well. I've had a chat with him and discussed a few things. He knows I think he could have done better in certain areas and he's taken that on board. If anything I was probably guilty of playing him too much as 50 games is a lot of games to play in a season for anybody. He'd probably disagree but he looked a little tired towards the end of the season but I couldn't really rest him as our squad just wasn't big enough. Over the course of the season he did very well for us and I'm delighted he'll be here next year as well". Only the future of Danny Williams, who has been offered a two-year contract, is yet to be finalised. One player who has been linked with a move to Aggborough this week is veteran Walsall defender Tony Barras who is waiting to find out whether or not he will be offered a new deal at Bescot. The Express and Star quoted him as saying, "I had a letter from Walsall saying they would get in touch with me in the week beginning May 26. That is this week and I'm just waiting to hear something from them. I'm going away but they've got my mobile phone number so they can still get in touch with me. Kidderminster are the only real offer I've had so far. I've spoken to a couple of other clubs but I'd rather not discuss them because there are no definite offers. The Kidderminster manager has said he wants to sign me and obviously I've got to consider it because it's a firm offer". 22 May Three Players Agree To Stay Three of Harriers' out of contract players have agreed to the new deals offered to them. Goalkeeper John Danby and winger Sam Shilton will remain at Aggborough for another twelve months while defender Lee Ayres has agreed to the short-term deal offered. Skipper Sean Flynn and Danny Williams have yet to agree to their new contracts. Meanwhile, Kenny Coleman has been invited to join the club for pre-season training after impressing Ian Britton in his time on loan this season. After missing the final three months of the season through injury he will need to prove his fitness, however, before being offered a contract. Current speculation, rumour and innuendo suggest that if he is offered a contract it will be similar to the one offered to Lee Ayres and it could then be a fight between the two of them to see who gets a longer offer. 20 May First Signing Unveiled Central defender Matthew Gadsby has been unveiled as Ian Britton's first signing of the summer, joining on a free transfer from Mansfield Town. He has signed a contract that will keep him at Aggborough until the summer of 2004. Aged 23 he began his career at Walsall but never made himself a regular in the first team playing 47 games, 20 of which were as a substitute. He then moved on to Mansfield Town in November 2002 and during the latter part of this season just gone played 22 games, starting 15. When he was at Walsall he was part of their play-off winning side and he hopes that he can repeat the feat at Aggborough, "They just missed out on a place in the play-offs last season and I hope I can help them go one better next time". Boss Britton said, "He is a player I feel will do well in league football, but he has been unlucky at Mansfield and at Walsall". Meanwhile, no news has yet been made available on the futures of the four players who are considering new contracts or the latest developments in the saga of Danny Williams. 16 May Five Offered Contracts Ian Britton has offered new contracts to five players from this season's squad: skipper Sean Flynn, Sam Shilton, John Danby, Lee Ayres and Danny Williams. Flynn, Shilton, and Danby have all been offered 12 months more while Ayres has only been offered a short-term deal. The length of the contract offered to Williams is unclear but negotiations have yet to commence because the player has disappeared. Apparently back in Wrexham for family reasons Britton has been unable to contact him, "We have been trying to get in contact with Danny for over a week now but with no luck. I have submitted a written offer to Danny. Will he accept it? I don't know. I'd just like the opportunity to speak to him first!" If Williams does decide that his future lies elsewhere the club will be entitled to some compensation as he is not 24 until July and under "Bosman" rules players under 24 are not allowed to move for free. Ayres has only been offered a short-term deal because Britton feels that he needs to prove himself first before being given a longer one. The manager said, "I've had a long chat with Lee and the details of that conversation shall remain private. He needs to show progression is being made and he will have the start of next season to do that. The ball is now in his court if he wishes to stay." No details have yet emerged about the three players that Brit has lined up to add to the squad. 15 May More Friendlies Announced Harriers have today announced three more games for the pre-season programme, all at local non-league sides. As was expected Evesham United figure, the programme starting there on Saturday July 12. The following day is a visit to Stratford Town, followed by the games against Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Walsall, ending on August 2 with a trip to Edgar Street to face Hereford United. 13 May Brit Begins To Reshape The Squad Harriers boss Ian Britton has today begun to change the look of his squad for next season by announcing that two players will not be offered new contracts. Hugh McAuley and Dion Scott will both be seeking new clubs. McAuley joined the club on transfer deadline day and featured just four times as a substitute. He showed in his brief appearances glimpses of impressive talent and an ability to take free-kicks. Britton told the club's Official Website, "This season will be financially harder for the club and unfortunately I can't keep everybody. Hugh's attitude has been first class since he's been here but I have to look at the bigger picture". Dion Scott featured more prominently in the heart of the defence and plsyed nine times and scored once, Britton said, "He's obviously disappointed not to have been offered a new deal but, as with Hugh McAuley, the make up of the squad for next season will be heavily influenced by the lack of money I have available. Dion did very well for us and I'm sure he'll find another club very quickly. He leaves with our best wishes". 3 May Season Ends With A Draw The season ended all square for Harriers as they were held 1-1 at Aggborough by Bristol Rovers. JJ Melligan returned to the side for one last game in a red shirt and scored the goal that gave Harriers the lead after quarter of an hour. After the break Harriers searched for a second but were undone when they failed to clear a corner and Paul Tait headed in from close range. The end-of-season awards were presented before the game, Phil Smith won Clubman of The Year, JJ Melligan, and Bo Henriksen won the awards presented by Riverside Wines and the Junior Supporters Club and the all-important Supporters' Player of The Year award went to Danny Williams. 2 May Bristol Rovers Preview The curtain comes down on a rollercoaster season tomorrow when lowly Bristol Rovers are the visitors to Aggborough for the final game of the campaign. JJ Melligan returns to the squad for his last game in a Harriers shirt, Ian Foster likewise is leaving after the game as his contract will not be renewed. Adie Smith is the only major injury concern, his knee injury is likely to keep him on the sidelines. Pirates manager Ray Graydon has injuries dictating his team selection - Andy Ramell, who Ian Britton tried to sign just before the transfer deadline, has a hamstring injury that could keep him out. This would be a blow to his plans as the striker had scored four times in his sort time at the club to ensure that there would be League football at The Memorial Ground next season. Three consecutive victories - 3-1 against Cambridge United, 1-0 at Oxford and 2-1 against Darlington have lifted Rovers away from the foot of the table. Graham Hyde will miss out also, he has a hamstring injury as well and has been suffering from 'flu in the last few days. Earlier in the season Harriers triumphed in Bristol, goals from Melligan and Henriksen sandwiched Rovers' reply from Paul Tait in front of nearly 9500 spectators. For all previous results, click here. I expect Harriers to line up as follows: Brock, Bennett, Shilton, Hinton, Scott, Stamps, Melligan, Williams, Bishop, Henriksen, Flynn. Referee will Howard Webb from Yorkshire. This season he has taken charge of seven Division Three games and issued 27 yellow cards and no red. |
