HARRIERS’ decision to shake-up the coaching staff is a refreshingly decisive action by the board of directors but it’s unclear how much has actually changed at Aggborough.

After 18 months of malaise, there’s no doubt new chairman Rod Brown and the other directors are more prepared to tackle problems and challenges at the club head on compared to their predecessors.

That willingness is certainly pleasing for supporters, who have welcomed Brown’s straight talking, focus on fans and much-needed restructuring of the club’s commercial set-up.

With very little cash in the club’s coffers, Harriers are well aware that encouraging performances, if not wins, will keep the Reds faithful coming back to Aggborough each week.

After a bitterly disappointing 1-0 home loss to Braintree something has been done. Gary Whild’s 19 month tenure as manager has ended, shifted to a new title as director of football operations, with Tim Flowers promoted to head coach.

Former defender Mark Creighton is the only member of the back room staff to lose his job, apparently leaving by mutual consent so he can pursue his fledgling coaching career elsewhere. 

I must admit I was surprised by the swiftness of the action, assuming those in charge may have waited until after bottom of the table games against Halifax and Torquay. But in hindsight it’s clear this change was done in the hope that Kidderminster could kick start the season in two winnable games.

The facts about this season are stark. Harriers have played eight, lost five and drawn three. In the last 23 matches, they have earned just three points, a sobering run although there are mitigating circumstances.

Whild deserves much credit for being a steady constant during a time of instability. When he replaced the disastrous Andy Thorn in March 2014, he brought reassuring solidity as Harriers ended with just one defeat in 13 matches.

Even last season, a decent squad were pushing for promotion before the club’s financial problems took hold fully, damaged player morale and derailed a once promising campaign. He was also brave enough to reveal all to fans when the previous board seemed incapable, or unwilling, to do so.

With an eye for discovering raw talent, he was hopeful of rebuilding the squad on a small budget but the new-look group has taken longer than expected to acclimatise to the Vanarama National League, despite some encouraging signs. The grumbles from the fans had already started and the club listened.

But the restructuring illustrates Brown and Whild’s relationship remains strong, despite being tested.

The chairman, who had success with Whild at Stourport Swifts and Redditch United, has faith in his old friend and believes the club can still harness his experience, while taking him out of the limelight of the manager’s role.

Flowers gets a chance after brief spells at Stafford Rangers and Northampton Town and is a vastly experienced coach who has worked for Hull City and Nottingham Forest.

It will be interesting to see how the new set-up works. How will Whild's new role work? Can Flowers lift the troops, particularly after the disappointing news that winger Adam Dawson has gone on loan to Tranmere Rovers until December?

Brown has stressed finishing fifth from bottom this year would be job done and that situation has not changed.

The club are paying their bills but have no spare cash, so paying off a manager with nearly a full year left on his deal was unlikely. Kidderminster have done as much as they can within the very narrow space dictated by their financial constraints.

Hopefully it’s enough to spark a revival, otherwise even more difficult decisions will have to be made to prevent the worst.