Harriers sign Briggs but lose Smikle

Kidderminster Harriers have signed Stalybridge captain Keith Briggs on a two-year deal - after losing Brian Smikle to former boss Mark Yates at Cheltenham.

Harriers were left stunned yesterday afternoon after learning that the out-of-contract winger had rejoined Yates at Whaddon Road, putting pen to paper on a one-year deal after turning down terms to stay at Aggborough.

But better news was today forthcoming as Burr took his former captain from the club where he was manager until January, bringing the former Norwich, Stockport and Shrewsbury campaigner back into the full-time game with the security of a two-year contract.

Briggs decided to leave the Bower Fold after Stalybridge missed out on the Blue Square North play-offs, and had been negotiating with his ex-boss for a number of weeks. The 28-year-old's contract starts on July 5, the day the players report back for pre-season training.

Burr was today delighted with his third capture of the summer, following Redditch goalkeeper Danny Lewis and AFC Telford defender Lee Vaughan into Aggborough.

The manager said: "I spoke to Keith after the season finished and he made his intentions clear in saying that he would be leaving the club, so obviously I then discussed coming to Kidderminster and that was something that really interested him.

"He was a fantastic player for me at Stalybridge and a fantastic skipper, so he will be a big part of things for us in the new season.

"I am really looking forward to working with him once again."