Penn had future doubt this summer
Kidderminster midfielder Russell Penn admits a troubled summer at Aggborough made him think about his own future at the club.
The England C international is regarded as the 'jewel in the crown' of the Harriers team, evidenced by the two years he still has left to run on the contract he signed last December.
Long wanting to get back into the big time after failing to make the grade at Scunthorpe as a youngster, the 23-year-old has become a key player over four years in the Blue Square Premier.
He has long hoped to lead the team back into the Football League and 2008/09 was the closest shave yet, missing out on a play-off place on the final day.
But, now 10 players have been let go, bettering that feat next season is looking somewhat harder.
Penn insists he is not looking to leave, but admits the lure of the league - from whom Walsall were thought to be interested last summer - would be tough to resist.
He said: "It did make me consider my future, the same as it made the manager consider his future and everyone else at the club consider their future. There's has been a lot of upheaval and it's going to be tough now.
"The club have always said they wouldn't stand in my way if a Football League club came in for me, but whether it would be different if it came down to it is another thing."
Penn is currently one of only three players contracted to play for Harriers next season, along with full-back Lee Baker and attacker Darryl Knights.
The squad are due to return for pre-season training on July 1, giving manager Mark Yates around two-and-a-half weeks to significantly add to his staff.
But their current midfield star has warned things need to start happening.
He said: "It's disappointing as a player if you go back to the club and there's three signed players on the books. What are we going to have, 20 trialists? I keep waiting for things to happen, but day-after-day nothing seems to.
"We have made certain offers to players I know, but how good will they be with nobody to play with? A lot of the boys are not coming back and we are going to have to start again.
"That said, there's still a long way to go - and I am sure the gaffer has got a few things up his sleeve."
