KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have admitted that the "substantial funds" they trumpeted upon Mark Yates's arrival as manager do not exist.

Chairman Barry Norgrove pledged that there would be a lump sum of money set aside for team strengthening when the new boss was unveiled in January.

But Yates told 150 supporters in the sell-out fans' forum at the Aggborough Suite on Friday night that there is no such sum and he never expected to receive "subtantial funds".

"I haven't told the chairman this but in regard to the question about substantial funds, I wasn't promised any substantial funds when I took the job," he said. "I knew the limitations of the so-called budget we talked about.

"I was under no instructions to get rid of players and bringing others in was left totally to me.

"I just think the chairman saying `substantial funds' just got a little bit... not misquoted... we just got carried away if you like.

"I was under no illusions that substantial funds were being made available this season."

Despite the bombshell that there was never a pot of gold waiting for Yates to plough into his squad, Norgrove has predicted that the current board will soon out-invest former sugar daddy Lionel Newton.

"Lionel Newton was here for eight years," said the chairman. He put £1.3 million to £1.4 million into this club with other people.

"We've been here seven months and we've put a third of that money already into this club. At that rate we'll overtake him next year."

The Aggborough board have also revealed the personal family torment which is preventing overseas director Gordon Howard from investing in the club.

Bermuda-based Howard was hailed as a potential saviour of Harriers when his involvement allowed the current board's Aggborough Holdings takeover to go through last summer.

But Norgrove revealed that the multi-millionaire had been unable to devote any time or money to Kidderminster recently because his young daughter has beeen diagnosed with cancer.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that supporters will be able to join the board, providing they can stump up enough money.

Norgrove admitted that £50,000 was the going rate to become a Harriers' director and he insisted the current powers-that-be would welcome a fans representative.

The chairman has extended the offer of a place on the board to wealthy individuals or supporters groups including KHIST and the 250-group.

There was also talk about selling affordable £100 shares to supporters to make them feel part of the club.

He defended financial director John Baldwin, stressing that although the Cannock-based accountant had never invested a penny in the club, he justified his place on the board because of his financial acumen.

l Harriers special reports -

Pages 100-101.