Harriers trio play but England lose

All of Kidderminster Harriers' representatives played a part for the England C - but couldn't stop the national side losing the International Challenge Trophy final.

Lee Vaughan, Matthew Blair and Jack Byrne were involved but the Three Lions missed out on the chance of silverware last night, as Portugal's under-23 side took the trophy after the only goal of the game, a tap in from Yohan Tavares after the break.

Vaughan started at Northampton's Sixfields Stadium, with Blair and then Byrne entering the fray as second-half substitutes.

Harriers manager Steve Burr was in the dugout as assistant to national boss Paul Fairclough and Vaughan has become a regular since moving to Aggborough last summer but, despite defeat, it was a night to remember for Blair.

The winger made his international debut after being called up for the first time, while Byrne picked up his second cap after his bow against Belgium in the semi-finals.

All three were part-players before getting their big break at Harriers and the club continue to look to the grass roots for their future.

Their partnership with Stourbridge College will see a flood of youth team players head into Aggborough this summer with Burr - who has a growing reputation in working with young talent - firmly behind the project.

And chairman Mark Serrell hopes that will produce the next batch of stars for the club.

He said: "This partnership gives us a chance to recruit raw talent and mould players into individuals that Steve Burr can work with. He is vital to this whole process and has a big influence.

"Maybe we can be looking at the next Jack Byrne or Callum Gittings which means that Steve won't have to go out and search for them.

"Players can progress here and feel part of the club."