Kidderminster Harriers’ budget will be cut by more than half next season

Harriers have been forced to take drastic action following a 2014-15 campaign that saw them fail to pay players on time and let some of their high earners leave the club.

The Aggborough club intend to put the emphasis on youth next term as well as unearthing some rough diamonds for the lower reaches of the non-league pyramid.

Brown said: “The budget will be less than half what it is now but we intend to use the progressive youth academy, which we will further develop with Colin Gordon’s appointment, to become a successful blueprint for the league.

“Gary Whild’s track record of finding talent from lower down non-league is excellent.

“It’s going to be tough, but if we can sustain National League (formerly the Conference) football and remain within our financial commitments that will be a successful season.”

Football agent Colin Gordon, who will be the club’s football development director, is one of two new appointments to the board, along with lifelong fan Mike Morris, who will be responsible for the ground and maintenance.

Gordon represents former England boss Steve McClaren, Arsenal forward Theo Walcott and Manchester United defender Phil Jones.

Kidderminster are also spending £40,000 on the Aggborough pitch, with Pershore-based Phil Day Sports Ltd due to start work on Monday, May 18.

Brown, who stepped up from vice-chairman following the resignation of Ken Rae, said: “I have only been involved a short space of time but there’s no doubt that a big part of the club’s DNA is the community and we want to re-engage with fans.

“The club had difficulties because of commercial decisions it had made previously, but we want to draw a line under them and move forward.”