Jack Byrne hails the way at Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Jack Byrne has credited manager Steve Burr's brand of 'total football' for improving his game.

Byrne was Burr's first signing for the club when he came to Aggborough last year, as a relative unknown plying his trade under current Harriers assistant boss Gary Whild at Redditch.

But the 23-year-old has matured into a bona-fide Blue Square Premier performer and England C international after a seamless transition from part-time to full-time football, having worked as a roofer while turning out for Redditch.

A month on the sidelines, due to a four-game suspension for a red card at Darlington, doesn't appear to have put Byrne back and he is pushing hard for a start at Grimsby on Saturday, after impressing as a second-half substitute at Luton.

And the tough-tackling midfielder has hailed Burr's way of playing as in line with his own, after admitting he owes the Harriers boss for giving him his big break.

Byrne said: "The way he encourages us to play football as helped my game, on an individual basis, and I think that's the same with most of the lads.

"All credit to the gaffer because he encourages the lads to express themselves, his mentality has always been to get the ball down, pass and move and excite the crowd. That's the why I like to play.

"Under different managers you learn different types of how to play, he's used to playing football and I believe I am suited to that.

"I am grateful for every opportunity I get in football and I will always thanks the gaffer for giving me the chance to come to the club.

"I hope I can repay him by helping us to get into the play-offs."