Barry Fry haunted by Kidderminster Harriers memories as Peterborough prepare for FA Cup clash
Peterborough have been put on red alert for tomorrow's Aggborough FA Cup mission – by a man who still shivers at the mention of Kidderminster Harriers.
The third-round tie comes four days short of the 20th anniversary of Harriers' legendary 2-1 FA Cup win at St Andrew's against a Birmingham City team managed by Barry Fry.
The colourful Fry is now Posh's director of football but the memory of those Neil Cartwright and Jon Purdie goals is burned into his memory and provides tomorrow's visitors with a timely warning.
"It was a horrible game," said Fry. "I'd only just taken over at Birmingham and we were seven points adrift at the bottom of the table.
"Kidderminster in contrast were flying and they were a far more confident team than we were. Birmingham had better players, but confidence is a massive thing in football.
"They also had the breaks on the day. A winger who hadn't scored in about four years beat four players and slammed one in the top corner, while we had a penalty towards the end that hit the stanchion in the high street. That's the sort of thing that can happen in the FA Cup. Sometimes it's just not your day, but if we play to our best we should get the result we want.
"Kidderminster's ground is compact, but the pitch is usually good and they don't get massive crowds so it shouldn't be that harrowing as long as we play well.
"I took my Barnet team to play there on many occasions.
"There are some lovely people at Kidderminster, but I want to beat them badly and knock them out of the cup."
Harriers are expecting their biggest gate of the season – around 1,500 Posh fans are making the trip – and are meeting the League One team at a worrying moment for manager Darren Ferguson, the subject of a vote of confidence this week after three successive defeats.
Harriers fans will be eager to see new signing Jack Dyer, a one-time Villa youngster, who has been recruited by manager Steve Burr from Burton and is eligible.
Of the tie, Burr says anything is possible.
"It's a great day for the club and the town – that's the important thing," he says.
"But we have put together some pretty formidable home form in recent seasons and we want to maintain that and see what it brings."
