KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are set to receive a cash windfall after the Premier Football League donated £1,000,000 to the Football Conference.

The lump sum will be split between all 68 clubs in the Blue Square, with the teams in the Premier Division getting more than the sides in the North and South Divisions.

The payment has been made to soften the financial blow which Conference clubs suffered after the collapse of the Setanta Sports.

The cash boost, estimated to be about £30,000 for Harriers, will be added to the £18,000 that the club will receive off the Conference from sponsors Blue Square over the course of the season.

Conference chairman Brian Lee, Chairman of the Conference said: “We are extremely grateful to the Premier League in demonstrating their support to our members at a time when our clubs are feeling the pinch not only at the loss of our TV contract but the decline of anticipated income due to the financial position generally.”

The payment is a result of talks between Conference chiefs and those in charge of the Premier League.

It also comes as a lift after American broadcaster ESPN decided not to buy the rights to televise Conference matches this week.

ESPN had taken over broadcasting Premier League games after the demise of Setanta Sports.

Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore: “The Premier League clubs discussed the current financial difficulties facing their counterparts in the Conference and were happy to be in the position to help them out with some financial support.

“The Football Conference is clearly an integral part of the football pyramid as well as being extremely important to local fans and communities – it was absolutely the right thing to do at this time.”

The Title sponsors of the Football Conference – Blue Square – welcomed the cash injection from the Premier League by supporting the clubs who play in the Blue Square Premier, Blue Square North and Blue Square South."