Fans chip in to help Harriers

Bignot, the brother of former Harriers favourite Marcus, has followed fellow former loanee Andy Ferrell back to Aggborough.

And manager Mark Yates today thanked members of the 'Red Army Fund' whose cash helped make the signing possible.

The fund was set up by a group of supporters who collect donations from fellow fans to help boost the Aggborough transfer coffers.

The 21-year-old arrives back at Aggborough hot on the heels of another former loanee, 23-year-old midfielder Ferrell. Bignot has signed for two years and Ferrell for one.

Manager Mark Yates said: "We're delighted to have Paul on board, he's an exceptional defender and I'm sure he'll be a great asset for us.

"He comes from a great footballing background at Crewe and we know what he's all about. He can and has played at a higher level and I'm sure he can only keep getting better.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Red Army Fund - we are trying to use this money in the right way and I think with this quality of player we're doing just that."

Bignot joined Harriers on loan last season but his stint with the club was cut short when he was sent off an hit with a three-match ban.

Meanwhile, Ferrell has set his sights on returning to the Football League after dropping down to the Conference from Hereford.

The former Newcastle trainee was released by the Bulls at the end of the season and has rejoined the club where he spent a brief loan spell this spring.

He played just one game before being forced to return to Edgar Street for treatment.

He told us: "I spoke to the physio at Hereford and said 'I'm injured'; and he just laughed at me and said that I never got injured.

"That's what's so frustrating. I'm used to getting knocks and niggles but I always just get on with it - I've never really had an injury like this since I was at Newcastle at the start of my career.

"So for it to come so soon after I joined Kidderminster was stupid.

"I had offers from three other Conference teams and very nearly signed for another club last week. I spoke to Mark himself when he was away on holiday and he said he still wanted to get something sorted.

"It was a very good offer I had from the other club but when I spoke to Mark when I left, I told him I owed him something so I'm glad to be back.

"I want to get promoted - there's no reason why a club like this shouldn't be playing in the league and fingers crossed we can do it.

"I'll settle in really quick but it's even easier seeing as though I know almost all of the lads here at the moment, I don't have to worry about settling in.

"I know it's a good club and a professional set-up and things are being done right.

"The stadium is as good as many in League Two and why shouldn't we be up there? We'll just push on next year and see what happens."