Kidderminster Harriers confirm new manager appointment

Kidderminster Harriers have announced the appointment of former Torquay boss Paul Wotton as their new manager.

The 48-year-old replaces Adam Murray after the latter left for Barrow just days after leading Harriers to promotion back to the National League Premier earlier this month.

Wotton, who previously spent five years in charge at Truro City, has been out of work since being sacked by Torquay in March after they let slip top spot in National League South.

A former midfielder who made more than 400 appearances for Plymouth, Wotton also spent time as assistant to Derek Adams with Argyle after hanging up his boots.

Harriers director of football, Dean Holdsworth, said: “From our first conversation with myself and the chairman, Paul stood out as exactly the type of leader we wanted for this football club.

“He has the experience, qualifications, standards and mentality to drive us forward, and his ambition matches our own.

“He knows what it takes to build successful, competitive teams and we’re confident he is the right man to lead us into the next challenge, we are looking forward to an exciting new season.”

Wotton’s initial remit will be on keeping Harriers at the higher level after they suffered an immediate relegation following their previous promotion in 2023.

The search will also be on for a new goalkeeper after Christian Dibble announced his departure from the club on social media, shortly before Wotton’s appointment was confirmed.

Speaking after Murray’s exit earlier in the month, chairman Richard Lane said: “We want to be a mid-table team and we just need the right ingredients with the right budget and the right leader.

"We know where we made our mistakes last time and it is about getting better players in using the loan system, maybe out of the EFL.

"But the focus for us is just to survive. I'm excited that we can hold our own in the National League."

Elsewhere in non-league, Stourbridge have agreed deals for next season with Tom Edge and supporters’ player of the season Jai Verma, while Brad Bood has moved to Bromsgrove Sporting.

Halesowen Town have sealed the signing of right-back Dan Meredith, who joins from Leamington.