HARRIERS chairman Ken Rae and two others directors have left after the intervention of the club's major shareholders.

Neil Savery, Barry Norgrove and Jane Murrant acted at Aggborough this afternoon after a meeting with benefactors Kath and Ernie Lane.

A statement from the club said: "The major shareholders of Kidderminster Harriers Football Club have met with the Chairman of the Football Club, Ken Rae, who has today tendered his resignation.

Also resigning are Gino Ruffinato and John Davies who have worked tirelessly for the club in recent years.

We thank them each for their valuable input and efforts on behalf of the club and in particular their services following the sudden resignation last year of the former Chairman and his wife.

There was a serious gap to be filled and they willingly rose to the challenge.

This new situation has afforded the shareholders and the Board of Directors an opportunity to restructure the administration of the club to enable it to meet the challenges currently being faced by many football clubs.

The aim is to attract further investment into the club and to provide a secure future for its administrative staff, coaching staff and players."

Davies, who is also club sponsor, released a brief statement, stating he resigned after becoming frustrated with benefactors Kath and Ernie Lane.

“I have, today, taken the decision to resign as a director from KHFC. As a lifelong fan it hurts me to leave the club like this but I cannot continue to operate in the climate we have been forced to work in, when benefactors who have openly committed to supporting the club fail to put in money they have promised, meaning we are unable to pay the people who work so hard.

I shall release further details in due course but wanted to true fans to hear from me first.” 

With the trio departing, it is unclear what will happen next. Rod Brown and KHIST represenative pair Geoff Coles and Dave Williams are the board's remaining members.

Kidderminster Harriers Independent Supporters Trust (KHIST) have said they are taking time to consider their position.

The fans group are major fund raisers for the Reds, with the 2020 Lottery generating £100,000 for the club since its inception in 2011.

A statement from KHIST said: “Members of the KHIST board have been made aware of today’s announcement by the club’s major shareholders, as communicated on the official website.

It is now our intention to take a short while to consider the implications of what have, indeed, been significant developments and, a statement will be issued, as soon as possible.

We would urge all Harriers’ supporters to have patience, whilst the shareholders, together with the remaining KHFC board of directors, take the necessary actions to move the club forward.

In the meantime, we are confident that, as always, Kidderminster Harriers’ fans will continue our brilliant support for Gary Whild and the lads, starting at Welling United, tomorrow."