CHAIRMAN Colin Youngjohns has insisted Kidderminster Harriers must remain a full-time club to stand any chance of competing in the Conference.

But Harriers are stuck in a catch-22 situation as big budget cuts will be necessary in order to remain professional while coping with a reduced cash flow.

As well as predicted lower attendances, Harriers are to lose out on £200,000 through television rights and sponsorship, despite a relegation parachute payment of around £160,000.

So their player wage budget, believed to be around £600,000 a year, will be cut accordingly, possibly by as much as half, and the board hopes to set the figure next week.

Watkiss will have his hands tied to a certain extent with Wayne Hatswell, Iyseden Christie, Steve Burton, Simon Russell, John Danby, Chris McHale, Daniel Lewis and his own signing Mark Jackson contracted for next season.

Kidderminster were promoted from the Nationwide Conference in 2000 as a semi-professional club but times have changed.

The vast majority next season will be full-time and some are ex-Football League sides operating with more money.

Youngjohns admitted: "It's a much stronger league than when we won it the last two times. We've got to give staying full-time a go but have to make sure the figures add up.

"We will lose about £200,000 and we have to make that shortfall up but it will take some doing.

"We need an investor to come in though they must realise they will not be getting their money back. Lionel Newton is the major shareholder and if he doesn't put any more money in or someone else does, then we will be in trouble."

Boss Stuart Watkiss said: "I am 99.9 per cent sure we will be staying full-time. We have to be competitive.

"That is the way forward even though it's not going to be the biggest playing budget in the world.

"I think I'll be better off working with young players on a full-time basis rather than more experienced players part-time."

And lifelong fan Youngjohns, well known to be a reluctant chairman, is seriously considering stepping down following a stroke in January and Harriers' impending relegation.

He added: "The specialists have told me this isn't the best business to be in after having a stroke.

"I have given blood, sweat and tears to this club but does that mean I have to give more up to the point it kills me?"