Harriers prospects tipped to shine

Kidderminster Harriers duo Jack Byrne and Danny Lewis have been tipped to take the Blue Square Premier by storm next season.

Byrne has already earned rave reviews at the end of last season, breaking into the team to make 10 appearances and score his first goal for the club after signing from Redditch in March.

Goalkeeper Lewis followed him to Aggborough from the Blue Square North outfit this summer, although Harriers fans are familiar with the player through a two-year spell at the club from 2004.

The 27-year-old didn't pull up any trees then, so the jury is still out on him and Byrne, whose challenge will be to prove last season's form was not a flash in the pan.

But Harriers assistant boss Gary Whild, who was manager to both players at Redditch last season, believes they could prove to be diamonds in the rough next season and, in the case of Byrne, maybe even go on to bigger things.

Whild is another enjoying the challenge of making the step up to full-time employment in the game, after working as a general manager at Aston Villa Leisure Centre for six years while boss at the Valley Stadium.

He said: "I wouldn't be surprised at all if there's are clubs looking at Jack next season, if he performs anywhere near his potential. The lad doesn't lack for much, so it will be interesting to see how things pan out for him.

"I watched him play for Harriers twice before I came here in the summer and both times he looked the best player on the park."

Whild also believes Lewis will make a go of his second chance with Harriers, after reinventing himself in the league below.

He said: "Danny has been consistently one of the best goalkeepers in the Blue Square North and this is a great opportunity for him to further his career. He was sought after, players in his position are difficult to get hold of at this level.

"Ability wise, he's certainly capable of being a success."