The 'Steve Burr factor' at Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers chairman Mark Serrell believes the 'Steve Burr factor' can be a big pull in attracting players to Aggborough this summer.

Before the start of June, Harriers' squad is taking shape with 13 players under contract for next season, including two new signings.

Both are Aggborough old-boys in Luke Jones and Marc Williams and, after the plans of the last out-of-contract members in his ranks are made known, Burr will look outside of the club for the finishing touches to his squad.

The manager heads off on his summer holiday today with a good bulk of his recruitment already done, after spending last week in his role as assistant boss to the England C team.

Burr has turned Lee Vaughan, Jack Byrne and Matthew Blair from semi-professionals into international players since joining Harriers last year and Serrell believes that could mean more than money to new signings.

He said: "I think that, whoever he signs, he will get the best out of them. From my point of view, that's the way I am looking at it.

"Players always want more but we can only give what we can give, we only pay what we can afford but there's only so many clubs players can go to.

"It's fair to say we had players that people thought wouldn't do particularly well last season and look what Steve has done with them, that needs to be taken into consideration.

"If he can improve you as a player, surely that has got to help your career."

The club have also formed a dual academy with Stourbridge College, which will see a flood of young players come into Aggborough this summer.

The starlets, too, could get the chance to work with Burr, if they make it all the way to the first-team.

Serrell added: "We see it as an opportunity to spot young talent and maybe that will allow us to get players on a more realistic level."

Harriers today released their pre-season friendly list and will take on Albion, Wolves and League One club Bristol Rovers in the month of July.

The Baggies bring a team to Aggborough on July 19 with Rovers following suit on July 26, before Wolves come to town three days later.

The pre-season schedule opens with a trip to Bishops Cleeve on July 12 and ends at Rugby Town on August 6.

Games against Stratford, Leamington, Stourport Swifts, Northwich and Hinckley complete the list.