AT a time when debts are crippling clubs at every level of football, Kidderminster Harriers chairman Barry Norgrove hopes their prudent approach this summer will mean they will be a safe port in the financial storm.

The region’s non-league scene has been hit hard by the country’s money problems, with Bromsgrove Rovers, Worcester City and Halesowen Town all suffering.

Cash has been tight at Aggborough as well, with manager Steve Burr revamping his playing staff on a smaller budget than many of their rivals in the Conference Premier.

But a sensible approach means the problems which have ravaged many of their neighbours have not occurred at Harriers.

Norgrove believes that could pay dividends this season.

He said: “Sometimes throwing money at things doesn't always work, we've gone the other way and Steve has brought in people, some of them from the lower leagues, and they're hungry and want to play football.

“People have got money and throw money at football, especially if they've not been involved before.

“They suddenly realise they’ve spent a fortune and suddenly pull the plug and things go pear-shaped.

“This is what’s happened in every division – at Portsmouth and all sorts of clubs, so it’s going to be a difficult one.

“Hopefully we can keep our feet on the ground, find these young players, and sell one or two occasionally and find more investments we’ll be up there.

“If I can get business people in over the next three or four weeks and we get some substantial funds coming in it may change altogether, we may not need to sell anybody.”

Lower than hoped season ticket sales this summer have also meant there was less money to spend, despite the club looking forward to Burr’s first full season at the helm.

Burr had a busy summer and Norgrove has been impressed, not only by his bulging contacts book, but by his overall approach.

“Steve’s a smashing chap. We took our time to select him when Mark Yates left,” commented the chairman.

“We knew we wanted him and did everything possible to get him and the price for Steve was fairly high.

“We chipped away at it for some months and in the end we got him, which is a big plus because he's a very likable person and a very honest person.

“Everything he tells us is the truth and it makes my job a lot easier if that happens because in football it's very difficult.

“Managers want that player and this one and you try to help them, so you need some trust in the manager and you get that with him.

“He’s got so many people and outlets, that it's a good thing for the club, a person with his experience and authority and England C connections, it all helps.

“We’ve been talking to players I’ve never dreamt of before and it’s only through Steve that this has happened.”

When a radically changed squad steps out on to the pitch at York on Saturday, they will have also have the job of raising expectations this season.

The supporters are watching keenly to see how the new group fares in the 2010-11 season but Norgrove has urged fans to keep the faith.

He added: “I was disappointed with the season tickets sales – we were hoping to get more than what we’ve got.

“Hopefully if we can get success on the pitch they'll come every week and make up the finances that way.

“Stick with us. We want Kidderminster Harriers to stay here as long as possible, we want the fans to back the new manager and keep it all going.

“We’re doing our best, we’ve got to be sensible about this and I think our fans are starting to realise it’s a tough game out there. If the supporters come along it will make a big difference to us.”