Danny Lewis signs new Harriers deal

Kidderminster Harriers boss Steve Burr had to be assured about the club's ambition before committing his future - as goalkeeper Danny Lewis signed a new two-year deal.

Burr ended speculation about his future yesterday by signing a new three-year contract, along with his assistant Gary Whild.

But the manager first wanted to make sure that Harriers' ambitions matched his own and that the club were over the worst of the financial problems that saw them come within hours of administration last month.

A positive step in that direction has been taken today with fresh terms given to No 1 Lewis, one of the cornerstones of the team's charge to the play-off places, who would have been out of contract in the summer.

Burr now heads off on an England C scouting trip to Sicily, where Italy host Portugal tomorrow in the International Challenge Trophy semi-final, with England or Belgium to meet the winners in the final.

And the Harriers boss took his flight this afternoon happy that the future is bright at Aggborough.

He said: "Obviously I needed some sort of assurance that the club, longer-term, was going to be fine because we had just come through a really difficult period over the last few months.

"There is still a lot of hard work to be done but it is looking a lot better than it did some time ago."

A key factor in Burr signing a new contract was the club's vow that Harriers would do everything in their power to hold on to their star players, of which Lewis is high in the manager's thoughts.

The 28-year-old has grabbed his second chance with both hands after returning to Aggbrough last summer and the Harriers boss believes his goalkeeper could go one to become one of the club's greats between the sticks.

Burr said: "I'm really pleased to have been able to sort this out. I could see Danny being here for many years and breaking all sorts of records, he works so hard.

"For a goalkeeper he is still at a young age and, I have to say, that I think he is someone who has a really bright future ahead."