Eight players out in Harriers list
Eight first-team players are to leave Kidderminster in a summer cull as the 'retained' list is released at Aggborough.
Heading the list are the two big shockers, highly-rated goalkeeper Adam Bartlett and 20-goal striker Justin Richards will not be offered new deals.
Keith Lowe, Chris McPhee, Michael Carr, Martin Brittain, Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong are also out.
Four players have been offered new deals, including 21-goal top scorer Matthew Barnes-Homer and defender Martin Riley.
Winger Brian Smikle and youngster Sam Foley make up the quartet.
Manager Mark Yates has had to make some big decisions with his budget for the new campaign and, it appears, some star names have had to be sacrificed.
In the wake of a global recession that is now likely to take optimum effect in football, it's unlikely he will be alone this summer.
He said: "In the best of scenarios there are a few others we would've liked to have been able to keep hold of.
"But we are realistic about what we can afford and we know we have a squad to build.
"I would like to thank all of the players for their efforts throughout the season. They are a fantastic bunch who gave everything, we wish them all well for their future careers."
Harriers already had skipper Mark Creighton, England C international midfielder Russell Penn, left-back Lee Baker and attacker Darryl Knights on contract for next season.
Midfielder Andy Ferrell also has another year, after the triggering of an appearance clause during the season that automatically extended his deal.
Yates is still in talks with the remaining band of players at Aggborough with decisions yet to be made on second-choice goalkeeper Dean Coleman, striker Stefan Moore, experienced midfielder Dean Bennett and winger David McDermott.
All could well be needed with the players that are going, former Premier League striker Moore is now the only other out-and-out forward in the squad after Barnes-Homer.
Coleman's departure would leave Harriers without a senior goalkeeper on the books, while two central midfielders and a winger are to be released.
Yates has given no indication of when he plans to add to the squad, but insists no decisions will be taken lightly.
He said: "We aren't a position to be able to offer some of those boys new deals, but all of the decisions we will take are in the best interests of the club."
