The Big Interview with Steve Burr

New Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr today began life at Aggborough by pledging to stick to the principles on which the club is based.

The experienced non-league boss, who turned 50 on January 12, was confirmed yesterday as the new man in charge after leaving Stalybridge Celtic.

Chairman Barry Norgrove had moved heaven and earth to get him - Harriers are to pay a substantial compensation package to the Blue Square North outfit and have showed their commitment to Burr with a two-and-a-half year deal.

Norgrove has been accused by fans in the past of lacking ambition, but has put money where his mouth is to make sure Mark Yates' successor is what the Blue Square Premier club perceive to be the best they can get.

Budget constraints will still be in place for the new manager when the inevitable foray into the transfer market begins, but Burr - as has not always been the case - is pleased to have the piece of mind of working under a regime in 'the black.'

He said: "It's like the chairman has told everyone, why put the club into jeopardy financially by spending money you haven't got? Sometimes that doesn't appease the supporters, who want to see masses of signings, but above all we want Kidderminster Harriers to continue.

"Too many clubs these days, even at the highest level, are in such a mess financially. Look at Portsmouth, that is the sort of situation that doesn't help anybody. I have had it in the past, Northwich got themselves in a terrible state after I had gone and I could see that was going to happen.

"I am happy that I am coming to be a club where those in power will not gamble with our future."

Despite financial constraints, Harriers' fans are used to seeing team's that play football, right back from the mid-1990's when Graham Allner was leading them to Conference titles.

Jan Molby knew it, Stuart Watkiss knew it, Yates knew it - and Burr knows it to.

He said: "Since Graham was in charge, this is a club that have played good football. Hopefully I can continue that and bring a lot of excitement to the supporters. If I am excited in the dug out, then they will be excited in the stands.

"For anybody who has seen my teams wherever I have been down the years, I have always had attacking sides. I love to see players expressing themselves. I have always said to them, always strive to be the best you can."

Harriers came within one result of making the play-offs in non-league's top-flight last year and, after a hectic summer of comings and goings in player personnel, Yates was looking like he could steer the club to one better this time.

The core of that team remains and, while not making any promises, Burr is quietly confident that the encouraging signs can be built upon.

He said: "I have never been one to say we are going to do this, that and the other. All I will do is give 100 per cent commitment and effort, like everywhere else I have been, and hopefully that will bring the success that I have had elsewhere.

"You can't guarantee anything in football. I never set targets, I just try to finish as high up the table as I can. You have got to keep your ambitions and there's always a chance in football - and we have got a chance."

The new manager feels that Harriers is his chance at 'the big time,' while Yates is now a League Two boss after taking over at Cheltenham.

Chairman in the Football League, and even some of the bigger clubs in non-league, have not exactly fallen over themselves to give a chance to managers from a 'lower level' in recent times.

It's this sort of attitude that cuts deep with Burr, an England C assistant coach no less, who aims to use this chance to prove the doubters wrong.

He said: "You get a little bit disappointed sometimes, when you have had success and then get overlooked. I must admit, that has been a disappointment for me. Some think we are alien in the non-league, and that bugs me a little bit.

"Even managers at the highest level, they wouldn't walk into this dressing room and do any differently then where they are. You are what you are and football is football. I find it a bit strange when people say 'you haven't got this experience.'

"It's 11 against 11, the goals haven't changed size and the footballs are the same size!"