CHAIRMAN Mark Serrell has robustly refuted any suggestion Harriers gave Steve Burr permission to talk to money bags Forest Green Rovers because they are in financial difficulty.

The club has been stunned by the news that manager Burr requested to speak with Kidderminster's Skrill Premier rivals about the vacancy at the New Lawn.

With the Harriers boss contracted to the club until 2016, the Carpetmen can expect a hefty fee for losing Burr, who guided Harriers to second place last season.

Fans struggling with the idea the popular Burr would leave second-placed Harriers for one of their promotion rivals, have speculated the club's decision to allow him to enter talks about a possible exit were to help soothe some unknown money issue.

But Serrell strenuously challenged that notion, citing the increase of attendances and season tickets sales as signs of the club's health.

"This has come as a great shock to Kidderminster Harriers," commented the chairman.

"We were first approached through the proper channels by Forest Green Rovers on Monday.

"We explained the situation to Steve and had a very good meeting before the game against Bradford.

"We the had further discussions with Steve and his adviser and he requested the chance to talk to Forest Green and we have allowed that to happen."

Burr was not present at this afternoon's 1-0 loss in Barnet, with assistant Gary Whild taking the reins.

Since narrowly avoiding administration in 2011, the cub has gone from strength-to-strength under the stewardship of Burr and Whild.

The management duo's policy of handing up and coming young players a chance to shine in the Conference Premier has been a success on and off the pitch, with the sale of Jamille Matt to Fleetwood generating £300,000.

But a playing budget thought to be in the region of £1.8 million at Forest Green and an impressive squad to look after, makes it one of the most attractive jobs in non-league football.

Serrell said: "Steve is the best manager in the Football Conference and the events of the last two days has not changed my opinion.

"When the manager decided he would like the opportunity to speak to another club, we felt we had to give him it."

He added: "Several people have asked me if we allowed Steve to talk to Forest Green because the club needed the compensation, but that is not the case at all.

"We wanted to keep Steve Burr. It was the plan to win the league with him and Gary Whild in charge.

"We're 10 per cent up on season ticket sales, our gates are up, our income is up so we would be able to support any manager in January.

"Everyone would like this to come to a speedy conclusion for the players, fans and all of us but it is out of our hands."