HARRIERS manager Gary Whild is hoping captain Josh Gowling will stay at the club next season.

Chairman Ken Rae revealed at Monday’s AGM that the experienced centre back has been offered a new deal.

While the Kidderminster will have a reduced budget for the 2015-16 campaign, the offer includes a role at Harriers’ much heralded youth academy.

Whild could not comment on the offer but made it plain he wanted the likeable 31-year-old, who already has a coaching role with the first team, to remain.

He said: “Josh is an excellent player and one we don’t want to lose.

“He’s got experience and it was me who introduced him to coaching at the academy.”

Meanwhile, Whild was full of praise for his players for their efforts against Halifax on Saturday.

Kidderminster had the best of a 0-0 draw, with Lee Hughes and Danny Wright denied by keeper Matt Glennon.

But the players had refused to talk to the press after the game because staff had only been paid a third of their wages last week.

The Rae assured shareholders on Monday that benefactors Kath and Ernie Lane will remain on board to fund the club until the end of the season and that employees would be paid in full.

Whild said: “I cannot praise the players enough, they gave 150 per cent despite everything that is going on.

“They have been like that all season, despite the difficult circumstances.”

Harriers will also be looking to end their five-game winless streak in the Vanarama Conference with two games in the space of a week.

The Reds go to relegation battling Alfreton on Saturday (3pm ko) and then entertain play-off chasing Eastleigh at home on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko).

“We’ve not won in five but we’ve also lost just one in three, so it’s how you look at results,” added the manager.

l To keep up with the action for both Harriers games, follow The Shuttle's live match updates.