Lower League Management - Finally Cracked?

Kidderminster have today officially announced the signing of journeyman centre-midfielder Stephen McPhail on an initial one year deal, with the option to extend for a further year if necessary.

McPhail joins from Shamrock Rovers who decided that they would not stand in the way of McPhail, and have been supportive of a move back to England for the midfielder. McPhail who many people will know for his time at Leeds United and Cardiff joins on a free transfer, after his contract at the club was coming to an end.

The Republic of Ireland international has had a relatively long career, playing a huge total of 417 games not surprisingly at top quality clubs, such as Leeds United in the Premiership and also Cardiff in the Championship being two of his most highest profile clubs.

McPhail has recently expressed his delight about joining the Harrier's and has had this to say:

"It's great to be playing back in England, especially for a club like Kidderminster. They're going places, they've had brilliant success under Andy Thorn and I can't wait to work under him myself. He knows what he's doing here and he sold me on the vision, I hope to be a success here in the future despite my advancing age!"

Manager Thorn has also made a few comments about his new signing:

"Stephen's a fantastic professional, I've been in talks with him for a while. I knew he wanted to come back and finish his career in England, so I offered him a way in. He can be crucial for any success we have next season, he can pass, tackle, shoot and really hit a set-piece. He's a magnificent capture for the club and I look forward to working with him."

McPhail will wear the #37 shirt next season for the Harrier's in the football league, buy your McPhail shirt now from the official website.

Apologies for the lack of updates today, and they'll probably be slow also due to it being my birthday I'll be bobbing in and out so won't have much time around the PC, I'll try get some updates written up to go live but can't promise anything at the moment.

Cheers,
Adam

Congrats on promoting! The cup runs you've had are really amazing. I'm really liking the story, keep it up!

Interesting signing! Experience can be key in the lower-leagues, and you've got one man to do it. Fantastic cup run, and congrats on the domestic double

WHERE ART THOU?

2014-06-06 06:03#178713 Pauker : WHERE ART THOU?

I'll admit, I've been slack and not caught up on this story. Of the glimpses I've seen it has the makings of a top quality one, too. Keep it up!

Pauker - He'll be key for me this season I hope, and don't worry I'm here buddy

Walter - Thanks for the comment Walter, means a lot coming from a cracking story writer like yourself

Where is the content?! D: Pls hurry back..

Don't worry Josh, I'm working on some! Been a bit slack ever since I turned 18, been enjoying the pubs and the clubs a bit too much D:

Kidderminster have stepped up their efforts for rebuilding in recent weeks and the clubs official site can now confirm that five new faces have come in at Aggborough:

Emilson Cribari - Formerly of Rangers, an old experienced Brazilian centre-half, known for his no nonsense tackling and defending. Joins for a free due to his contract running out.

Terry Hawkridge - Former Scunthorpe winger, has bags of talent and can operate easily on either flank, an absolute coup to say we managed to get him on a free!

Elliot Lee - The former West Ham youngster's contract ran out at the end of last term and the Hammers opted against offering him a new contract, but their loss is the Harrier's gain as they have tied the young forward down to a 2 year deal, another signing again on a free.

Michael Coulson - This is the first player manager Andy Thorn has had the owners open up the cheque book over. He spent last term on loan at Kidderminster and was a revelation! Coulson joins for a fee in the region of £10,000 as agreed in the loan deal.

The fifth and final signing of the summer is that of young centre-midfielder Alfie Kane. Formerly of Birmingham City, he was a youth candidate that the blues decided to not offer a contract to and as a result he was left without a contract and an uncertain future. But the gaffer and scouting team turned over ever stone in the UK to track the lad down and offer a contract too after seeing him perform admirably in the u18's & u21's squad last season.


Harrier's manager Andy Thorn had the following to say about his new signings:

"I'm delighted with the players we've managed to bring in, they all bring something unique to the group. I believe with what I already have here and what's come in we can have a real good go of things next season! It's great to see Michael back in a red and white shirt for this season too, and I'm sure everyone else will be delighted as well! He was outstanding last season. I can't wait to get the lads back in for pre-season and start life in the Football League."

Some good signings, but Cribari reminds me of Cribaby xD

Great signings! Looking forward to seeing how you do in League 2!

Pauker - Oh how right you are, should see the the boy moan! he's been a right sod this season

Josh - Thanks Josh, we'll have to just wait and see

It's fair to say that everyone involved with Kidderminster Harriers can be proud of the efforts of the team so far this season, performing on a bigger stage. They've done themselves proud and shown to other teams that they can be a force to be reckoned with.

The Harriers kicked off the campaign with a terrific run of results, three draws and four wins in their opening 7 fixtures, a terrific start by any teams standards, but then the boat seemed to have rocked and inconsistency started to play a part. Don't fault the lads though because they've done brilliantly. Wins against promotion hopefuls Burton & Fleetwood are sure to send the morale through the roof!

Unfortunately I haven't saved a table up until November (which is the next update) so apologies for that. But the team at this stage was lingering just outside of the playoffs in 8th position, a remarkable start for a newly promoted side!


Although the team have performed admirably so far this season, I did however manage to pick a player of the segment. It was tricky don't get me wrong because everyone has played fantastic! But I have to give the award to Michael Coulson.


The boys just picked up from where he left off last season, he's proving to his former club that he can in fact cut it at this level, he's been so important for us so far as well as instrumental last season too, he's scored five so far this season and also notched up four assists!

A fantastic start to life in League 2! Hope it continues

What a great start! Great job :-)