Sharpe didn't doubt Harriers future

Kidderminster Harriers' longest-serving player Tom Sharpe insists he was always "fairly confident" of staying at Aggborough after signing a new one-year contract.

Sharpe penned terms for a third season yesterday, after a summer of uncertainty surrounding the 22-year-old defender.

The centre-half had been out injured since March with a dislocated knee cap, which ended his season on just 14 starts last season.

His defensive partner, Michael Briscoe, signed a new deal in April while boss Steve Burr brought in Aggborough old boy Luke Jones and utility man Tom Marshall this summer as further options at the back.

But another defender, Mark Albrighton, was released before there was any word on Sharpe who, although in some limbo, was not overly concerned about his future at Harriers.

He said: "I was fairly confident there was something here for me.

"The gaffer has been bringing in a few lads at the back so I was getting a bit anxious, but I spoke to him a few weeks back and he explained that he wanted to keep me.

"He suggested it would be easier to wait until we were back in for pre-season before we sat down and sorted something out, so it's not so much that we've been negotiating anything.

"I am glad to be staying here and hopefully, touch wood, I can keep myself injury free and get into the team."