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Kidderminster Harriers


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History

Kidderminster Harriers were formed in 1886 from an athletics and rugby union club that had existed for nine years. They were founder members of the Birmingham and District League in 1889, but did not win it until 1938. They moved to the Southern League the following year, but played just two games because of the onset of World War II.[1]

They rejoined the Southern League in 1948, but in 1960 dropped back down to the Birmingham League. They were back to the Southern League by 1970, and in 1983 were promoted to the Alliance Premier League (now the Conference) after finishing second to AP Leamington, who were refused entry. AP Leamington manager Graham Allner was appointed Manager, marking the start of a 16-year association with the club. Despite not playing in Wales, they were Welsh Cup finalists in 1986 and again in 1989.[2]

In 1989 Kidderminster Harriers formed their first YTS training scheme and this was a first as they were still playing non-league football in the Conference. The first crop of players included Ian Clarke, Ryan Rankin, Will Bache, Alan Knott, Richard Congrave, Russel Dodds, Craig Gillett and Justin Taylor.

In 1994, Harriers were Conference champions, but were controversially refused promotion due to the Football League's tightened fire safety regulations for stadiums after the Bradford City fire disaster. Aggborough's main stand was of wooden construction, and despite assurances a new cantilever stand would be ready for the new season (which was completed on time) and considerable West Midlands media support the Football League rejected Harriers' promotion. Ironically the ground hosted an 8,000 crowd without any problems for the visit of West Ham United in that year's 5th round FA Cup (also the last time a non-league side has reached the last 16).

They finished second to Macclesfield Town in 1997, but then finished in the bottom half in each of the next two seasons.

Harriers received the biggest sell-on fee for a former non-league side with the £700,000 the club picked up when Lee Hughes joined Coventry City in August 2001. Kidderminster had sold Hughes to West Bromwich Albion in 1998 and under the sell-on clause negotiated by manager Allner at the time got 15% of any further transfer fee. This was activated when Hughes moved to Coventry City for a reported £5 million.

Former Liverpool star Jan Mølby was appointed as manager for the 1999-2000 season, and led the club to the title at the first attempt, beating Rushden & Diamonds by nine points. Thereafter, low attendances (the town is close to several large Championship or Premiership sides) and lack of revenue following the ITV Digital collapse meant the club struggled to make a mark in the Football League, and after five seasons they were relegated back to the Conference National division.

A close-season boardroom takeover battle disrupted preparations for their first season back in the Conference; consequently the club struggled to maintain efforts towards a quick return to the Football League, ending up with a 15th-place finish in the Conference National. Ex-Harriers captain and former Doncaster Rovers, Cheltenham Town player and Burnley assistant coach Mark Yates took over as Manager from the sacked Stuart Watkiss during the season. He steered the club away from minor danger of relegation in the 2005-06 season and during his first full campaign, took the side to the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium for the first time in 12 years. They however lost 3-2 to Stevenage Borough in front of 53,262. Their league form however was less impressive, resulting in mid-table finishes for the past three seasons

As of 14 January 2009.

1 GK Adam Bartlett

2 DF Paul Bignot

3 DF Lee Baker

4 MF Andy Ferrell

5 DF Mark Creighton

6 DF Luke Jones

7 FW Stefan Moore

8 FW Darryl Knights

9 FW Matthew Barnes-Homer

10 MF Russell Penn

11 FW Justin Richards

12 GK Dean Coleman

14 MF Brian Smikle

16 MF Martin Brittain

17 FW David McDermott

18 DF Martin Riley

19 MF Sam Foley

20 MF Dean Bennett

21 DF Keith Lowe

23 DF Michael Bowler

24 MF Nathan Hayward

Honours

Conference Champions: 1994, 2000

Conference Runners-Up: 1997

FA Trophy Winners: 1987, Runners-up: 1991, 1995, 2007

Bob Lord Trophy Winners: 1997, Runners-up 1989

Welsh Cup finalists: 1986, 1989

Southern League Cup Winners: 1980

Worcestershire Senior Cup Winners: 19 times

Birmingham Senior Cup Winners: 7 times

Staffordshire Senior Cup Winners: 4 times

Birmingham & District League/West Midlands (Regional) League Champions: 6 times; Runners-up: 3 times

Southern League Premier Division Runners-up: 1 time

West Midland League Cup Winners: 7 times

Keys Cup Winners: 7 times

Border Counties Floodlit League Champions: 3 times

Camkin Floodlit Cup Winners: 3 times

Bass County Vase Winners: 1 times

Conference Fair Play Trophy: 3 times

Club Information

Background

Name: Kidderminster Harriers Football Club

Nickname: The Harriers

Founded: 1886

Fierce Rivals: Worcester,Hereford,Cheltenham

Other Rivals: Rushden,Shrewsbury

Legends: Bo Henriksen

Club Icons: Kim Casey, Paul Davies

Favoured Personnel: John Mullins,Jeff Kenna,Paul Jones,Mike Marsh,

Media Prediction: 11th

Team Captain: Mark Creighton

Vice Captain: Russell Penn

Manager: Mark Yates

Assistant Manager: Neil Howarth

Youth Coach: Nick Griffiths

Physio: Pete Dugmore

Stadium & Facilities

Ground: Aggbrough

Capacity: 6,250 Approx. (3200seated Approx.)

Average Season Ticket Price: £250

Average Ticket Price: £13

No. of Season Ticket Holders: 550

Training Facilities: Adequate

Youth Setup: Adaquate

Star Players

Mark Creighton Russ Penn

Strenth

Defence

Weakness

Midfield

Now lets get the harriers to the prem

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