Briggs hails Harriers boss (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Briggs hails Harriers boss

8:00am Thursday 11th October 2012 in News

CAPTAIN Keith Briggs has heaped praise on inspirational boss Steve Burr after he turned Kidderminster Harriers’ season around.

The Aggborough outfit have recovered from their disastrous five-game losing streak at the start Blue Square Bet Premier campaign to carve out a nine-match unbeaten run.

They have also rediscovered the winning habit after a run of five consecutive draws, winning three out of the last four.

While the Reds remain fifth from bottom, the results illustrate confidence is steadily returning.

Burr and his management team acted quickly to get Harriers back on track with the sale of want away skipper Exodus Geohaghon to Mansfield and the addition of Josh Gowling, who has been a hit since joining as a free agent.

“It was very frustrating,” Briggs said. “The gaffer was tearing what hair was left on his head out and looking around at what to do but he worked it out. He’s so positive and he drives that into the lads.

“Even though we were rock bottom after five games the atmosphere around the club was second to none.

“That’s a massive thing that the gaffer can be proud of.

“I’ve seen other teams fold after that kind of start, so he deserves a lot of credit for how he kept the lads together.

“He’s a top manager and it was only a matter of time before we turned a corner and changed losses into draws and draws into wins.”

Harriers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at Briggs’ former club Stockport County on Saturday in a game which kicks-off at 3.30pm because of National Non-League Day.

Briggs took over the captain’s role from Geohaghon and he’s happy to continue as long as the manager and his team-mates are happy for him to do so.

He added: “The gaffer asked me to go in and do a job and I was happy to do it.

“I love captaining Harriers and I just want to keep going, as long as the gaffer and the lads are happy with me I will do the job.”

Harriers have been handed a very tough test in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup against Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Grimsby Town on Saturday, October 20 (3pm ko).

The Mariners are pushing for the play-offs and have lost just twice all season.

Meanwhile, striker Jamille Matt has been given a boost in his efforts to obtain British citizenship after being backed by Labour’s Valerie Vaz, who is MP for Walsall South.

The striker, who is still contracted to Harriers, has been ineligible to play for eight months.

Elsewhere, Worcester City are still in negotiations with the club over playing at Aggborough next season. It is hoped an announcement will be made in the next few weeks.