New To The Division: Kidderminster Harriers

We continue our summer study of the clubs joining Moors in National League North for 2024/25 – and this instalment sees us reacquainted with some friends from Worcestershire.

How did they get here?
Kidderminster Harriers slipped back into National League North after one season at the higher level following their play-off promotion in 2022/23.

Harriers won nine games in a row to secure an astonishing elevation to the National League, but they struggled to maintain that momentum and tasted victory just once in their opening 13 games of 2024/24.

The Aggborough outfit stuck with boss Russ Penn until January, but he was sacked following a run of four straight defeats and experienced boss Phil Brown was brought in to try and inspire a reaction.

Four wins in succession at the end of the month raised hopes of survival, but a winless March plunged them back into trouble and their fate was sealed following a 1-0 loss at home to Eastleigh.

Where do they play?
Kidderminster Harriers have been playing their home games at Aggborough for over 130 years having been there when it first opening with a single 460-seat grandstand.

It’s undergone significant renovation since then and these days it’s widely regarded as one of the best stadiums at this level with a capacity of just under 6,500.

Who is in charge?
Phil Brown arrived in the Kidderminster hotseat in January and despite not being able to keep the club in the National League, he put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at the end of the season.

Born in South Shields, Brown made the first of over 600 senior appearances as a player with Hartlepool United where he spent seven years before moving on to spells with Halifax Town, Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool.

A former right-back, he stepped into coaching as assistant to Sam Allardyce at Blackpool and also served alongside Colin Todd as Bolton before Allardyce arrived to link-up with him there once more.

Having been Number 2 to Allardyce for six years, Brown stepped into his first managerial role at Derby County in 2005 before moving on to Hull City whom he guided to a glorious promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

Preston North End, Southend United, Swindon Town all utilised his services as boss before Brown spent two years managing Indian Super League outfit Hyderabad.

In 2021, he reemerged in England when he was reappointed as boss at Southend, and he then spent the closing months of 2021/22 in charge of Barrow where he helped them survive relegation from League Two.

Brown is assisted by former Newcastle United and Everton midfielder Neil McDonald who has a wealth of experience collected during a coaching career which spans over 25 years.

When did we last meet?
Kidderminster Harriers did the double over Moors back in 2022/23 when the sides were both in National League North and as the Worcestershire outfit went on to secure promotion.

Glen Taylor fired Moors in front at Aggborough with a trademark free-kick in September 2022 but the hosts roared back to enjoy a 4-1 triumph

They then backed that up with a 2-1 win at The Brewery Field last February when Amari Morgan-Smith set the in-form Harriers on their way with an incredible early goal.

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