freyno Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 History Kidderminster Harriers were formed in 1886 from an athletics and rugby union club that had existed for nine years. They were founder members of the Birmingham and District League in 1889, but did not win it until 1938. They moved to the Southern League the following year, but played just two games because of the onset of World War II.[1] They rejoined the Southern League in 1948, but in 1960 dropped back down to the Birmingham League. They were back to the Southern League by 1970, and in 1983 were promoted to the Alliance Premier League (now the Conference) after finishing second to AP Leamington, who were refused entry. AP Leamington manager Graham Allner was appointed Manager, marking the start of a 16-year association with the club. Despite not playing in Wales, they were Welsh Cup finalists in 1986 and again in 1989.[2] In 1989 Kidderminster Harriers formed their first YTS training scheme and this was a first as they were still playing non-league football in the Conference. The first crop of players included Ian Clarke, Ryan Rankin, Will Bache, Alan Knott, Richard Congrave, Russel Dodds, Craig Gillett and Justin Taylor. In 1994, Harriers were Conference champions, but were controversially refused promotion due to the Football League's tightened fire safety regulations for stadiums after the Bradford City fire disaster. Aggborough's main stand was of wooden construction, and despite assurances a new cantilever stand would be ready for the new season (which was completed on time) and considerable West Midlands media support the Football League rejected Harriers' promotion. Ironically the ground hosted an 8,000 crowd without any problems for the visit of West Ham United in that year's 5th round FA Cup (also the last time a non-league side has reached the last 16). They finished second to Macclesfield Town in 1997, but then finished in the bottom half in each of the next two seasons. Harriers received the biggest sell-on fee for a former non-league side with the £700,000 the club picked up when Lee Hughes joined Coventry City in August 2001. Kidderminster had sold Hughes to West Bromwich Albion in 1998 and under the sell-on clause negotiated by manager Allner at the time got 15% of any further transfer fee. This was activated when Hughes moved to Coventry City for a reported £5 million. Former Liverpool star Jan Mølby was appointed as manager for the 1999-2000 season, and led the club to the title at the first attempt, beating Rushden & Diamonds by nine points. Thereafter, low attendances (the town is close to several large Championship or Premiership sides) and lack of revenue following the ITV Digital collapse meant the club struggled to make a mark in the Football League, and after five seasons they were relegated back to the Conference National division. A close-season boardroom takeover battle disrupted preparations for their first season back in the Conference; consequently the club struggled to maintain efforts towards a quick return to the Football League, ending up with a 15th-place finish in the Conference National. Ex-Harriers captain and former Doncaster Rovers, Cheltenham Town player and Burnley assistant coach Mark Yates took over as Manager from the sacked Stuart Watkiss during the season. He steered the club away from minor danger of relegation in the 2005-06 season and during his first full campaign, took the side to the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium for the first time in 12 years. They however lost 3-2 to Stevenage Borough in front of 53,262. Their league form however was less impressive, resulting in mid-table finishes for the past three seasons Honours Conference Champions: 1994, 2000 Conference Runners-Up: 1997 FA Trophy Winners: 1987, Runners-up: 1991, 1995, 2007 Bob Lord Trophy Winners: 1997, Runners-up 1989 Welsh Cup finalists: 1986, 1989 Southern League Cup Winners: 1980 Worcestershire Senior Cup Winners: 19 times Birmingham Senior Cup Winners: 7 times Staffordshire Senior Cup Winners: 4 times Birmingham & District League/West Midlands (Regional) League Champions: 6 times; Runners-up: 3 times Southern League Premier Division Runners-up: 1 time West Midland League Cup Winners: 7 times Keys Cup Winners: 7 times Border Counties Floodlit League Champions: 3 times Camkin Floodlit Cup Winners: 3 times Bass County Vase Winners: 1 times Conference Fair Play Trophy: 3 times Stadium & Facilities Ground: Aggborough Capacity: 6,250 Approx. (3200seated Approx.) Average Season Ticket Price: £250 Average Ticket Price: £13 No. of Season Ticket Holders: 550 Training Facilities: Adequate Youth Setup: Adaquate Can anyone suggest any good signings? PS more info and pics to come Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisandro Lopez Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Er try the thread you already made? http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=93387 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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