Football Season Guide

Kidderminster were the neutral's favourite team last year when they were ever so close to pulling off an amazing achievement and winning the title but at the end it was mostly a sense of disappointment and deflation for the Harriers. They managed to overcome a dreadful start of the season to emerge as the most credible title challengers by March but were pipped at the end by Mansfield for just a couple of points. They were then beaten by Wrexham in the play-offs and Steve Burr and his players were denied the fairy tale ending they probably deserved after putting so much effort into the campaign. They played with enthusiasm, drive and unending energy and will be surely one of the teams considered as serious challenger for the upcoming campaign. However, the underlying feeling at the moment is that this was a one-off chance for Kidderminster and the more resourceful clubs in the league might not be so careless and wasteful this season to allow them among the title challengers. Kidderminster definitely have the momentum and kept the core of their squad while adding good midfielders like Lee Fowler and Jamie Tolley to the squad but it is tough to see them being so consistent for another season. Michael Gash and Anthony Malbon were the best attacking duo at the end of last season an will be expected to come up with the goals while the fact that the central defensive pair of Josh Gowling and Cheyenne Dunkley was kept intact is a major plus too. Thus, Burr will be only hoping that his team are not as slow off the races as they were last season and managed to get an early head of steam that keeps them in good steam. If this happens, a play-off place is definitely within reach.