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New Kidderminster Harriers chairman Dave Reynolds says that they are in a "dire financial position" in an urgent new club appeal for fresh investment.

After taking a majority shareholding at Aggborough on Saturday, Reynolds is already warning that Harriers are just days away from being in real hot water.

"The club has outstanding debts of over £250,000, 50% of which is due within the next few days," said Reynolds.

"We are in a dire financial position. I would be thrilled to hear from anyone."

Harriers were put up for sale last month by then chairman Barry Norgrove, who, along with fellow director Neil Savery, resigned when the Kidderminster board accepted Reynolds' offer.

But Reynolds has already made it clear that his appointment was only a short-term solution, while the Blue Square Bet Premier club seek the major investment needed to keep them afloat in the long term.

"It is my intention to remain as chairman in the short term only until someone more suitable becomes available," said Reynolds.

"We are seeking community support in resolving the issues so that we can return to having a vibrant, financially secure football club at the heart of our town.

"The board are working hard to identify areas to improve efficiency and to reduce costs but without a large cash injection, the long-term future of the club is not viable."

Kidderminster Harriers avoid winding-up order

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/9151781.stm

Kidderminster Harriers have been saved from a potential winding-up order - thanks to two anonymous donations.

The Blue Square Bet Premier club, who have overall debts of £250,000, were as little as a day away from being wound up over a £90,000 Inland Revenue bill.

"They weren't even going to accept another 24 hours. That was how close it got," chairman Dave Reynolds told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"But there have been many calls coming in from dedicated and loyal people."

Reynolds, who was chairman of Harriers for 18 years before stepping down to concentrate on his business interests in 1999, returned to take control of the club last week.

He has already made it clear that he sees his return only as a short-term solution, with a view to attracting long-term investment.

But he has at least managed to keep the wolf from the door by attracting the anonymous donations that settled the club's tax bill.

"It was more than serious," he said. "I am sure there would have been a time limit somewhere along the line.

"It would have meant that myself and other directors would have been kept away and an administrator brought in."

Outgoing Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove had submitted a proposal which would have seen an unnamed investor putting around £500,000 into the club.

And Norgrove has been critical of his former fellow board members for voting in favour of Reynolds' plans for the club.

But Reynolds says that, when it came to the board meeting, there was nothing concrete for them to look at and that time was not on their side.

"I wish there had been," he said, "as it would have made my life easier instead of lightening my wallet.

"It is fair enough what Barry is saying as he might well be with another club but there was nothing there.

"He is not due back from an overseas trip until 14 November. So there was nothing on the table.

"If Barry had come back to the board with a letter of intent, and if Barry had been prepared to take the shortfall on the wages the next morning, then I think the board would have backed him."

Instead, Reynolds is now looking to the future - and, at a time when average league attendances at Aggborough this season have fallen to just over 1,300, he is looking for the missing fans to return.

"I want fans to turn up, bring a friend and make it happen," Reynolds told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
 
"I don't expect our supporters to put their hands in their pockets for much.

"The very least they can do is turn up, and let's get the gates back up to 1,600.

"We all have a duty of care here. This is our club. A football club is one of the focal points of a town of the size of Kidderminster.

"The staff here have been superb since I came back. They have backed me to the hilt. We are on the move. The snowball is rolling and we aim to get this club into a good financial position by the end of the season.

"I am not in this to prolong Barry's problem. Barry is best to leave us alone and let us get on with it. Negativity is no good in this situation. We have to be positive."