Chairman hoping to find new shirt sponsor

1:00pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

HARRIERS chairman Barry Norgrove is confident that the club will find a new shirt sponsor soon after an influx of interest from businesses.

A host of local companies have enquired about having their name on Harriers' shirt, after Hire It! decided to end their involvement in the club.

Hire It! owner John Davies decided to end his four-year sponsorship after he was unable to secure a place on the board.

The long-time Harriers fan wanted more influence but was told that he must pay £50,000 in order to join.

Norgrove admitted that he has been impressed by the interest from local companies and defended the club's policy on new board members.

"We have ten or 12 interested parties contacting us about sponsorship and have been delighted with the response," said the chairman.

"I know there has been a lot of talk about John Davies leaving but we have rules about joining the board.

"John has been brilliant for Harriers. He has been there to help behind the scenes when games looked in danger of not going ahead and we can't thank him enough.

"To join the board someone must put in £50,000 and then be prepared to invest more of their own money. John has also got a lot of publicity out of sponsoring the club."

In a letter to the Shuttle/Times and News Davies admitted he felt his sponsorhip over four years, and his help behind the scenes had justified his place.

He has turned down approaches from several other local clubs, including Bromsgrove Rovers and Stourport Swifts, and did not rule out joining forces with Harriers again.

Davies said: "I am passionate about Harriers and even though I have been approached by several clubs in the area I am not interested in them.

"I am a Harriers fan through and through and will be always there to help the club, so the door isn't closed."

Harriers are still waiting for a response from Wembley and the FA for a face-to-face meeting, in order to sort out the 11-month wait for their cut of last May's FA Carlsberg Trophy Final cash.

Norgrove and Stevenage Borough chairman Phil Wallace requested a meeting in order to thrash out an agreement and end a drawn out saga with football's governing body, Both clubs have refused to pay what they feel is an exorbitant amount for hospitality expenses. Until all parties are happy Harriers will not touch the money, which is waiting in an high interest account.

Read reaction from Harriers fans to Hire It! ending involvement with the club.

Editors Choice