Steve Burr leaves Kidderminster Harriers with immediate effect

The club announced this morning the 53-year-old had left his post with immediate effect, bringing to an end a four year stay at Aggborough.

It is understood Burr met with Harriers chairman Mark Serrell this morning, where it was agreed he and the club should part ways.

The timing of his departure comes as a shock. Harriers are currently seventh in the Skrill Conference and on Saturday celebrated holding League One Peterborough United to a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup third round.

Highly-rated Burr is already being linked with the vacant managerial role at League Two strugglers Northampton Town.

A Harriers statement read: "Kidderminster Harriers Football Club can today confirm that Steve Burr has left his post as Manager at Aggborough Stadium with immediate effect.

"Everybody at the Club would like to place on record its unreserved thanks to Steve for his efforts whilst in post.

"The Board of Directors would like to state explicitly again that its sole ambition for this season is to achieve promotion back to the Football League and that they are fully committed to taking whatever step necessary to reach that goal.

"No further comment will be made by the club at this stage."

Harriers striker Anthony Malbon reacted to the news by tweeting: "Wow. Didn't expect that news this morning. Absolutely gutted".

Assistant boss Gary Whild was set to meet with Serrell this afternoon and it is expected he will take at least temporary charge of first team duties.

After narrowly missing out on the play-offs in his first two full seasons in charge, Burr guided the Harriers to a second place finish last season, missing out on the title by just two points.

Hopes were high of another challenge leading into the current campaign but a run of four defeats in five games has left them 15 points behind leaders Luton Town, who hammered the Harriers 6-0 in Burr's final league fixture.

Relations were also strained in November when Burr was granted permission to talk to Forest Green Rovers about their vacant managerial post. He missed Harriers 1-0 defeat at Barnet before opting to stay at Aggborough.