BENEFACTORS Kath and Ernie Lane have called on Harriers’ supporters to stick with the club as it copes with its cash flow crisis.

The pair are currently keeping the club afloat by paying the wages each month and made an impassioned plea to fellow supporters to back the club during this testing period.

Supporters are unhappy with the board of directors over the club’s finances, which they blame on poor management.

Harriers’ predicament is despite last season’s run to the FA Cup Fourth Round and the sale of Joe Lolley to Huddersfield for £250,000.

The cup run generated £125,000 in prize money but the replay at Peterborough actually cost Kidderminster because of stewarding costs.

The Fourth Round clash at Sunderland, which was played in front of a 25,000 strong crowd at the Stadium of Light, yielded a less than predicted £60,000 because of hefty policing and stewarding bills.

Harriers have completed paying off former boss Steve Burr as well as Jamie Tolley, Lee Fowler and James Dance.

Ex-manager Andy Thorn is still being compensated, while the club are due the final £50,000 instalment for Lolley in January.

The backers also revealed Kidderminster lost the investment of former chairman Mark Serrell and wife Ruth when they departed in February.

The Lanes also resigned as directors this summer and only returned to back Harriers when the situation became dire, while financial director Jo Hancox also left.

“My husband and I are no longer board members but we do support the club financially,” confirmed Kath Lane.

“I can tell you five directors have stepped down. Last season, my husband and I and two others were financially supporting the club.

“We are now left with only five directors, of which only two are putting money into the club at all, which is a very small amount. We need the fans coming into the club because your support, along with my husband’s and mine, is keeping the club going.”

However, Serrell defended his time as chairman and running of the club.

He said: “I am more than happy for an investigation into the club’s finances.

“It should be remembered that minutes were taken at every board meeting when I was involved, so every decision was documented.”