KIDDERMINSTER Harriers chairman Ken Rae believes the club had no choice but to cash in on winger Marvin Johnson.

The 24-year-old wideman ended his three-year spell at the Aggborough outfit after joining Scottish Premier League side Motherwell before the January transfer window slammed shut on Monday night.

Harriers agreed a five-figure sum which was below the club’s valuation of Johnson, who had scored ten goals this season. The deal included a sell on fee.

Rae revealed the board felt they had little option but to sell the former Romulus man, who was out of contract in May, after he turned down a lucrative new contract in November.

He said: “We wanted Marvin to stay but we had a situation where we could have lost him for nothing at the end of the season.

“We had offered him a new deal in November with much-improved wages, which wasn’t something we could easily afford.

“We were prepared to make sacrifices but he’s moved on and we wish him the best of luck.”

Johnson joined in January 2012 and proved to be cult hit with the fans. However, his time at the club seemed over last season when he requested a loan move to Hednesford. But he returned with renewed verve and a more mature attitude which made him one of Kidderminster’s key men.

Johnson’s departure has been part of a major squad reshuffle at Aggborough. Nathan Blissett (Bristol Rovers) and Chey Dunkley (Oxford) have also been sold, while Michael Gash and Kyle Storer saw their deals ended by mutual consent. Reece Hales, Tyrone Williams (Stourbridge) and Reece Styche (Tamworth) were also loaned out for the rest of the season.

But manager Gary Whild has also been able to strengthen and pulled off a major coup by bringing Lee Hughes back to the club where he started his career.

Burton forward Dominic Knowles has signed on loan to join new addition Danny Wright as another forward option, while winger Keyon Reffell moved from Port Talbot to Hoo Road.

Rookies Jamie Spencer, Akwasi Asante and Jordan Tunnicliffe were also drafted in, while Aaron Wildig has temporarily joined from Shrewsbury.

The movement has reduced the wage bill, although they still need the backing of benefactors Kath and Ernie Lane.

Johnson’s departure also means only Danny Lewis, Josh Gowling, Callum Gittings and Jack Byrne remain from the 2012-13 runners-up squad.