Kidderminster Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers
Weaver makes Scarborough switch Scarborough boss Nicky Henry has made former Kidderminster defender Simon Weaver his fourth summer signing. Weaver, 27, has agreed a 12-month contract at the McCain Stadium after leaving the relegated Harriers. "There was a clutch of clubs after him so it's a great move for us. He will give a commanding presence at the back," chairman Malcolm Reynolds said. Weaver has played in the Conference before for Nuneaton, as well as almost 100 League Two appearances for Lincoln.

Conference LDV entrants confirmed
The Football League has confirmed the 12 Conference teams that will take part in this season's LDV Vans Trophy. Relegated pair Kidderminster and Cambridge are joined by the teams who finished 12th or higher in last season's Conference National table. The other invited sides are Accrington, Aldershot, Crawley, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter, Halifax, Hereford, Morecambe, Stevenage and Woking. The first round will take place in the week commencing 17 October.

Conference fixtures are announced
Cambridge United's first Conference game, following their relegation from the Football League, will be away at Forest Green Rovers on 13 August. Meanwhile, Kidderminster Harriers start life outside the League with a home game against Woking. Conference newcomers Altrincham, Grays and Southport have all been handed ties away from home on the opening day. Grays visit Burton Albion, Southport travel to Dagenham & Redbridge while Altrincham go to Stevenage Borough. As is customary, Boxing Day features a number of "derbies" - such as York v Scarborough - with the return fixtures on 2 January.

Imps sign Mayo and midfield pair
Lincoln City have re-signed defender Paul Mayo from Watford, and snapped up midfielders Steve Robinson, 29, and Dean Keates, 27, on free transfers. Versatile left-sided player Mayo, 23, left Sincil Bank to join Watford in March 2004, but has returned to his hometown club on a two-year deal. Robinson joins from Swindon, while Keates arrives from Kidderminster. The Imps have also handed a one-year deal to striker Omari Coleman, 24, who was recently released by Watford. Mayo had earlier turned down the chance to join Swindon in order to rejoin the Imps. Robins manager Andy King told Radio Swindon: "Incredibly to me, he agreed to sign for Lincoln instead. Sometimes it is not a football choice." But the player told Lincoln's website: "I still have a lot of friends and family in the area - I felt it was the right choice." Meanwhile, Robinson was not offered a new contract at the County Ground this summer, after making 141 League appearances in four years since jonining from Birmingham. He has penned a one-year deal at Sincil Bank, as has former Hull and Walsall man Keates.

Foster makes Forest Green switch
Forest Green Rovers have bolstered their strikeforce with the signing of Kidderminster forward Ian Foster. The 27-year-old has agreed a two-year deal at The Lawn following his departure from the relegated Harriers. He has twice won the Conference - with Kidderminster in 2000, and with Chester last year before he returned to Aggborough for a second spell. He becomes manager Gary Owers's first new signing since Rovers were spared relegation from the Conference.

Watkiss snaps up three new faces
Kidderminster manager Stuart Watkiss has completed his first three new signings as the Harriers prepare for life back in the Conference. Defenders Daryl Burgess, 34, and Wayne Evans, 33, have both agreed 12-month deals after being released by Rochdale. Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Laurie Wilson, 20, has also signed a 12-month contract after leaving Burton. Kidderminster have also been boosted by the news that defender Mark Jackson has agreed to stay with the club.

Harriers target Exeter's Sheldon
Exeter winger Gareth Sheldon is wanted by Conference rivals Kidderminster. Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss has comfirmed that he has held talks with the 25-year-old about a possible move to the Aggborough Stadium. Watkiss is re-building his side after relegation and is keen to add the former Scunthorpe man, who has spent three years at Exeter, to his squad. Sheldon missed two months of last term with a toe injury but was back in action towards the end of the season.

O'Connor takes dual Harriers role
Kidderminster boss Stuart Watkiss has continued his team re-building with the capture of midfielder Martin O'Connor. O'Connor, 37, joins on a 12-month deal following his exit from Shrewsbury. The ex-Walsall and Birmingham City player, who helped the Shrews win the Conference play-offs in 2004, will also take on some coaching duties. He told Hereford and Worcester: "Stuart (Watkiss) is a friend of mine and he spoke to me this summer about his plans and what he wants to do."

Bees manager looking at trialists
Barnet boss Paul Fairclough is running the rule over strikers Zema Abbey and Mark Rawle and midfielder Ben Bowditch. Abbey, 28, played for four clubs last season after leaving Norwich - and ended the campaign at Torquay. Rawle, 26, has rejected a new contract at Kidderminster, while Bowditch, 21, was released by Colchester. Fairclough, who has named former Bees keeper and manager Gary Phillips as reserve team boss, is also looking at ex-Charlton youngster Adam Gross, 19.

Mansfield set to sign Beardsley
Mansfield Town are set to complete a deal to bring Kidderminster striker Chris Beardsley back to Field Mill. The two clubs have agreed a nominal fee for the 21-year-old, who started his career with Mansfield before spells with Doncaster and Kidderminster. "I'm delighted he's joining. He was on our list all along and it seems all parties are happy," boss Carlton Palmer told the Nottingham Evening Post. Meanwhile, Mansfield and Chester have not yet agreed a deal for David Artell.

Harriers complete Blackwood swoop
Former Lincoln City and Wrexham winger Michael Blackwood has become Kidderminster manager Stuart Watkiss's fifth new signing of the summer. The 25-year-old has agreed a 12-month deal following his release by Lincoln at the end of last season. "He had a difficult year so will be looking to improve himself again. Whenever I've seen him play I've liked the look of him," Watkiss said. Blackwood has previously played in the Conference for Stevenage and Telford.

Fleming signs up at Kidderminster
Former Grimsby Town midfielder Terry Fleming has joined the list of new faces at Kidderminster Harriers. The 32-year-old, who turned down a new deal at Blundell Park at the end of last season, has signed a 12-month contract with the Conference club. "He's a tough character and a winner - the type of player any teams that wants to be successful needs in their side," said boss Stuart Watkiss. Fleming has made over 400 league appearances in his career. He has had stints with Coventry, Northampton, Preston, Plymouth, Lincoln City and Cambridge United.

Exeter 1-0 Kidderminster
Substitute Craig Farrell earned Exeter a win against Kidderminster. Farrell settled the issue in the 69th minute, sending Lee Phillips' accurate cross into the bottom corner. Moments earlier Paul Buckle had fired over from point-blank range, while City midfielder Glenn Cronin also hit the woodwork. Taiwo Atieno could have equalised for Harriers 15 minutes from the end but he dragged his effort wide of the upright, while Phillips missed a chance late on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exeter: Paul Jones, Hiley, Gaia, Todd, Billy Jones, Taylor (Edwards 67), Cronin, Buckle, Challinor, Flack (Farrell 52), Phillips. Subs Not Used: Rice, Seaborne, Vinnicombe. Booked: Challinor. Goals: Farrell 69. Kidderminster: Danby, Evans, Jackson, Hatswell, Burgess, Blackwood, O'Connor (Wilson 60), Fleming, Russell (Atieno 55), Christie, Thompson (Sheldon 56). Subs Not Used: Burton, Lewis. Booked: Blackwood, Fleming, Sheldon. Att: 4,914. Ref: R East (Wiltshire).

Kidderminster boss rues absentees
Kidderminster boss Stuart Watkiss was hampered by injuries as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Scarborough. "We've put Iyseden Christie on a course of antibiotics for an infection in his foot," he told the club website. "Michael Blackwood is likely to be out for another couple of weeks with his hamstring injury which is another blow. "And Terry Fleming missed the game as his little boy is very ill in hospital, so we send our thoughts and best wishes to Terry and the young lad."

View Full Version: Kidderminster Harriers