Express & Star

No Harriers sentiment for Brian Smikle

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Kidderminster Harriers will always hold a place in Brian Smikle's heart but he's hoping to pour further misery on his former club on Saturday.

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More than five years after leaving Aggborough, the wide man is now a regular at Gary Hackett's Stourbridge.

That's ahead of a game being billed as both the tie of the round and one of the biggest non-league showdowns in the Midlands for years.

Playing against Harriers is nothing new for Smikle but, even he has to admit, this is special.

The 29-year-old said: "It's going to be massive for the fans, it's probably like a West Brom-Wolves to then, or at least the non-league equivalent,

"To be in the FA Cup it is going to be very intense, I would imagine, a very even game too. I'm thoroughly looking forward to it."

Tipton-born Smikle credits Harriers with helping transform his career after he joined in 2006, having been released by Albion.

Of his Hawthorns exit, he said: "When that happens as a kid, you are kind of down in the dumps. I was with a Premier League club and then had to start in the basement, if you will.

"Kiddy gave me the chance and I would like to think I repaid them with good performances and goals."

Few could argue Smikle didn't deliver that. A regular under then-boss Mark Yates, he racked up 144 appearances during four seasons at Aggborough.

He scored 21 goals – including 12 during his final campaign with the club. Smikle now wants to experience FA Cup glory with Stourbridge and continue an increasingly uncanny pattern.

Hackett's side have reached at least the first round proper every other season for the past six years, making history in 2009 when they reached the milestone for the first time, when they drew Walsall.

It was a feat surpassed in 2011 and 2013, when they reached the second round, memorably beating Plymouth along the way on the first occasion.

With a team transformed from the one which struggled so much last season – one of the most disappointing campaigns at Amblecote of Hackett's 12-year reign – hopes are high 2015 can be better.

Smikle added: "I think we have a much better team spirit than last year. There has been a bit more experience come in with Justin (Richards) and Karl (Hawley), who have played in the Football League.

"Stuart Pierpoint is a massive character as well and we have the communication we maybe lacked at points last season. The leadership qualities have helped us."