Harriers boss picks up the pieces

Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr was today picking up the pieces after the collapse of Chris Swan's takeover left the club facing an uncertain future.

The deal for Swan to buy the debt-ridden Blue Square Premier outfit, who need £150,000 just to survive until the end of the season, is dead in the water today with the Warwickshire-based businessman pulling the plug after being "unable to reconcile fundamental issues."

It leaves Harriers again facing the threat of administration and possible financial ruin today - 24 hours before a league game against Bath City at Aggborough.

The players go into the match still waiting to be paid for the month of January, in which they have lost just one out of eight games and - despite a five point deduction for financial irregularities - remain sixth, just outside of the play-off places.

Boss Burr, himself without a wage for this year, has led the 'business as usual' ethos but admits players and management are starting to feel "stuck in the middle."

He said: "If the takeover was meant to be then it would have gone through, but it hasn't so we have to move on.

"It's a difficult one because we are stuck in the middle. We'll try and keep these lads as positive as we can and keep them going - we have said all season long that the performances to get us where we are have been great.

"It's things that are out of our control that are a bit disappointing."

Bath City come to Aggborough looking to capitalise on the uncertainty off the field for Harriers, but Burr's men have recovered from some shaky home form in 2010 to record three straight wins as hosts since the turn of the year.

However, the visitors are comfortably placed in mid-table since promotion from the Blue Square South last season and the Harriers boss has noted their progress will make them no pushovers tomorrow.

He said: "We are confident enough of three points, but Bath have been on a good run themselves.

"They were one or two people's favourites to go straight back down, but they have shown people that they are a good side and a hard side to beat."