Harriers No 2 on pre-season strategy

Assistant manager Gary Whild believes the mixture of big and small clubs in Kidderminster Harriers' pre-season schedule is vital to forging links in the game.

Harriers take on the likes of Wolves and Albion, as well as League One club Bristol Rovers, in friendlies next month, a chance for the team to pit their wits against higher league opponents.

That will work in reverse in the rest of Harriers' pre-season schedule, which takes in Bishops Cleeve, Stratford, Leamington, Stourport Swifts, Northwich, Hinckley and Rugby Town.

It's the big boys that will whet the appetite of the fans at Aggborough but Whild believes every game will serve a purpose.

He said: "We have got the two games up at Aggborough against West Brom and Wolves and both of those will be good for the club and the players.

"Bristol Rovers, too, will provide stiff opposition and it's also key to go out to some of the more local sides and get some fans in there watching matches, whilst we get some game time into the boys."

The pre-season schedule also provides Whild and boss Steve Burr with the chance to scout potential signings on the opposite side, with the management team's growing reputation at bringing players through from all levels.

While Albion, Wolves and Bristol Rovers might look to break their starlets in through first-team football at Aggborough, Harriers could look to the lower league clubs they play to do the same for them.

Whild said: "That networking, if you like, is vitally important.

"We saw that last year with Stratford, for instance. Robert Thompson-Brown went over there last season and made a big impression. It was a big part of his development but he played a big part in their season, too.

"We're going out to Stourport, too, who are obviously very local to us and it is important to have that relationship with clubs around you.

"It benefits them as well as us."