Andy Thorn has full backing says new Kidderminsters Harriers' chariman Ken Rae
New Kidderminster Harriers chairman Ken Rae today confirmed manager Andy Thorn has the full backing of the board, as he called on supporters to get behind the club.
Rae also hit out at those fans who, it is claimed, abused former chairman Mark Serrell on social media sites and prompted his shock departure on Saturday night.
Serrell announced he was stepping down via a statement on the club's official website just hours after the 2-2 home draw with Braintree, Harriers sixth successive game without a win.
The chairman had come under increasing scrutiny for his decision to sack the popular Steve Burr and replace him with Thorn – himself the subject of abuse from sections of the crowd on Saturday - last month.
But despite the club's run of poor form, Rae insisted the board believe Thorn is still the man to take the club forward.
"Obviously results have not been great but Andy has the full backing of the board and we believe he is the man to turn things around," said Rae.
"Mark's resignation has not come about because of the sacking of Steve Burr or because of Andy's appointment. Both of those were decisions taken unanimously by the board and not his responsibility alone."
Rae, who has taken the reins until at least the end of the season, refused to go into details of the nature of abuse received by Serrell but said he himself had been shocked by the language in one message allegedly posted on Facebook. In Serrell's statement, he spoke of the need to put his family first and it is thought the former chairman's parent had viewed some of the messages.
Serrell had previously been forced denied claims he was looking to leave the club and Rae claimed his departute came as a complete shock to the rest of the board.
"We didn't see it coming," he said. "Mark has done an awful lot for the club but our supporters clearly wanted him out and now he has gone.
"Mark has put an awful lot of his own money into Kidderminster Harriers for very little reward and it's a great shame.
"Everyone now needs to get behind the team and the manager. We saw on Saturday the downturn which can happen when they get on their backs. The abuse isn't helping anyone."
