AFTER supporting the club as a teenager, Steve Thomas has just landed his dream job - as Kidderminster Harriers' new media development manager.

The 25-year-old, who used to watch his Aggborough heroes from the terraces, will now be the man who deals with the press in Harriers' first season in Division Three.

Mr Thomas, who was born in Kidderminster, could not hide his delight at his new post.

"It came as a shock and it is a bit of a gamble because I had a very settled job but I think I would have regretted it if I had not taken it."

The self-confessed football addict has been the co-editor of Kidderminster's match-day programme - The Harrier - for three years. He originally became involved with the club after an appeal to supporters by commercial manager Mark Searl for ideas on how to improve the programme.

After writing in with his proposals for the club he was invited to a meeting at the ground to discuss his ideas.

Thirty minutes later, he'd not only landed the job of programme editor but would now have the chance to meet and work with the players who were his heroes.

He said: "I was basically questioned about my ideas for the programme and in the end Mark asked me if I thought I could do a better job.

"I said yes and the rest, as they say, is history."

Three years later, the programme has just won its second programme of the year award and is widely acknowledged as one of the best in the country.

"Winning the programme of the year award twice is something I am very proud of because it has never been done before."

Remembering back to the first time he met the players, he admits he was nervous.

"The likes of Paul Webb and Paul Davies were people I looked up to so the first time I met them was pretty unnerving."

The former Wolverley High School student has followed Kidderminster since 1988 when he and his mates latched on to an old scheme.

"At the time I started going to watch them, the club let under-14s in for free.

"So we used to go down there for nothing and enjoy the game.

"The following year when I was 15, we were still going in as 14-year-olds and I think I did that until I was 16! I am expecting a bill now from the Harriers for two years worth of admission fees!"

Winning the Conference title in 1994 only for Harriers to be denied promotion because of ground regulations was a blow for him but it was more than compensated for by the championship success in May.

"The night in the Harriers Arms after Kidderminster had won the title down at Woking was fantastic.

"It was like millennium night, birthdays and anniversary parties all rolled into one.

"It is something I will take to my grave."