New Management Team at Kidderminster Harriers
Interim Chief Executive Neil Male has today confirmed the permanent appointment of Russ Penn as the Kidderminster Harriers Manager and Jimmy O’Connor as Assistant Manager.
Via the Club Website the National League North side have announced:
Given the lack of continuity the club and its fans have endured in recent seasons and the general uncertainty surrounding the game in general at present, the Board feels it is vital to offer everyone some stability with an eye for the future.
As such, Russ and Jimmy have been appointed to their roles for the next two seasons, during which time it is expected that the club and the team to succeed and thrive under stable leadership on and off the field.
As players, Russ and Jimmy have more than 1,000 matches under their belt combined, accumulating vast experience of not only the EFL but, most crucially, non-league football as well.
In a short space of time, the two also demonstrated their managerial capabilities, working together for the latter part of the 2019/20 season to get results, and bring back some of the club’s feelgood factor. The Board are wholly confident they are the right people to continue to do this in the future.
Interim Chief Executive Neil Male said:
“Both Richard Lane and I want stability for the club. Having had more than five managers in 18 months, there’s a need to put in foundations and build something powerful for the future – Jimmy and Russ have our full backing to do that.
“I’ve personally seen Russ develop and grow in stature during his spell as Interim Manager and, with the support of a vital figure in Jimmy, I know they are the people who can bring success back to Kidderminster Harriers with their extensive experience and contacts at this level.”
Manager Russ Penn said today:
“I’m so proud to be named Manager of Kidderminster Harriers. Everyone knows this is my club – I’m a local lad who played over 200 games here, and I know what it means to the people of the town.
“To be given this opportunity at my age shows the faith and confidence Richard and Neil have in me. They know what this club means to me, as do the fans. I’ll be doing everything in my power to succeed here, and I know the fans will be right behind me.”
Assistant Manager Jimmy O’Connor said today:
“Russ and I have built up an excellent working relationship over the last 18 months in some difficult circumstances, and I’m excited to be working with him going forward. I know that we share the same vision, passion, and ambition to help drive this fantastic club forward.
“We want to reward the faith Richard and Neil have shown in us, and the best way to do that is by bringing success back to Kidderminster Harriers.”
Neil also confirmed that Jimmy and Russ will be meeting the current Harriers squad remotely in the coming days and weeks to discuss plans for the future.
The club is currently awaiting further, formal guidance from the National League in regards to how the 2019/20 season is to be finalised after the league announced this week that clubs had voted to cancel the remaining games of the term. They understand that supporters will have many questions about the situation, and once this guidance has been received and digested, they will communicate with their fans as to how they plan to move forward and build towards the new season.
For more from Kidderminster Harriers please visit their website here