Football Season Guide

Kidderminster had a rather tumultuous last season that saw them lose a highly valued and respected coach like Steve Burr at a time when they look like genuine promotion contenders. Andy Thorn was appointed after that which proved a big mistake and his brief, six-week spell, basically ended the team’s hopes of making it into the top five. Gary Whild, the former Burr assistant, was put in charge to complete the season and he did galvanise the team but not enough to sneak into the play-offs. There was some disappointment at the missed opportunity but also renewed hope that Whild will continue the good work that Burr has done in the previous season. The manager will use the pre-season to prepare the team better and make it a more settled and cohesive outfit that will bother the top sides in the division. Kidderminster do have some financial issues and had to dispense with some of their best players over the summer though. Lee Vaughan, possibly the best full-back in the league, moved to Cheltenham over the summer while Amari Morgan-Smith secured a good move to the Football League as well having been the brightest attacking spark last season. Micky Demetriou is also a sizeable loss at the back and the signings so far have not been that encouraging. Jared Hodgkiss is a pretty decent replacement for Vaughan and the likes of Reece Styche and Craig Reid will offer movement and physical presence in attack. However, there is distinct lack of creativity and passing ability in midfield and one has to wonder how the strikers will get service in the season ahead. There is still some decent potential in Kidderminster’s squad and they should be able to command a place in the top half of the table. However, getting a play-off spot will require a lot more and the team just does not possess it at the moment.