LIONEL Newton has today stunned Kidderminster Harriers by quitting as the club's chairman.

Newton, who has also stood down as a director at the Third Division club, said he believed he could not take the club any further.

Harriers, in their second season in the Football League and challenging strongly for a place in the Third Division play-offs, could now face an uncertain future following the loss of their main benefactor.

Newton, who has been on the board at Harriers for six years, has long been unhappy at the lack of support for the club -- both from the people of the town and from local businesses.

He issued a statement on the club's website today which said: "When I joined the board the club had huge financial debts which I personally cleared, and also in the last six years I have been the main benefactor.

"During this period we have sold all the board sponsorship in the entire stadium which has never been achieved before. We have also sold all the executive packages, restaurant packages, corporate hospitality and many social functions that we can during this period.

"I have improved the facilities in and around the stadium for the benefit of the fans, staff and the team. This has made Aggborough one of the nicest grounds in the Third Division.

"We have raised the profile of the club nationally by appointing Jan Molby who has achieved league status in the first year of his management.

"Jan has currently built a team of players who are playing the most attractive football this club has ever seen and are currently only a few points from the play-off position. This is the highest position this club has ever played at in its entire history.

"It has been a great disappointment to me personally, in view of the great success we have had on and off the field over the last three years, that we have not been supported by the largest companies in the town with any large sponsorships. This is a great shame as this is a local community football club mainly for the benefit of Kidderminster people.

"Also our fan base has decreased by over 16 per cent on last year's gate attendance. This has put extra financial burden on the club because of the budgets set of gates required of 3,500 paying fans to break even.

"I have reported through the press and media "many times" that I have spoken to the local MP (past and present), dignitaries, the District Council, the business community and the fans that unless they get behind the team I would have to reconsider my position.

"It is a great shame that it has come to this as we are the first and only league club in the County of Worcestershire.

"This club has a great management team and deserves much better support."