CHAIRMAN Mark Serrell believes Kidderminster Harriers have got over the initial disappointment of an unsatisfying Blue Square Bet Premier fixture list as they plan another tilt at the play-offs.

The Aggborough will kick-off the 2011-12 campaign at home to robust Gateshead on Saturday, August 13.

However, the club were disappointed to learn they will take on Gloucestershire side Forest Green Rovers over the important money-spinning Christmas fixtures, entertaining them on Boxing Day and going to the New Lawn on New Year’s Day.

The club had requested Conference South play-off winners and fierce rivals AFC Telford as their preference for the festive clashes.

However, the Bucks will play Wrexham instead.

Serrell said: “We filled in a form and put on it our preference for Christmas was Telford and we were theirs as well.

“But you can’t always get what you want and we’ll have to get on with it.

“It may sound like a cliche, but every game is a big game, especially when you’re going for promotion.

“If we are where we want to be at end of the season, then we’ll have some important clashes with Newport and Mansfield at the end.”

Harriers face a tough opening month, which features clashes against both sides relegated from the Football League. They go to Lincoln City on Tuesday, August 16 and entertain Stockport a week later.

They will mark their 125th anniversary with a home clash to newly-promoted Alfreton on Saturday, September 17, while Telford pay a visit on Tuesday, October 11.

Newport County will provide stiff Bank Holiday Monday opposition twice, as Harriers travel to South Wales on August 29 and entertain them on April 9.

The regular season ends with a home clash against Mansfield Town.

Meanwhile, Harriers’ preparations stepped up this week when defender Tom Sharpe re-signed for the club on a one-year deal.

The 22-year-old is now Harriers’ longest serving player after just two seasons.

Sharpe missed the end of last season with a foot injury but after successfully recovering, manager Steve Burr made him the 21st member of the squad.

He will be competing with Michael Briscoe, Luke Jones and Tom Marshall for a place in central defence.

Assistant manager Gary Whild said: “Tom’s a player we like a lot and we’re hoping he’ll be a bit luckier with injuries.

“He missed the last five or six weeks of last season because of injury and we could have done with someone like him playing.

“We had a small squad and ran out of steam a little bit, so we’ve tried to make sure we’ve got some depth and Tom will be competing for a place in central defence.”

Sharpe and the rest of the squad started pre-season training on Monday and step up their preparations for the new campaign with friendlies at Bishops Cleeve on Tuesday and Stratford on Thursday evenings.

These games will be a chance for the management to cast an eye on trialists, with Burr and Whild keeping some of their budget back for a late signing.

“We’ve told the trialists with travelling being so expensive it would better for them to come along and feature when we are putting out Harriers XIs,” added Whild.

“For the big friendlies, we obviously want to show off our new signings to the fans.”

Meanwhile, season tickets will be available to be picked up from the club today (Thursday).

Fans trust KHIST is holding a competition to find a fan who will be named Harriers’ 12th man throughout the season.

Supporters who renew membership or join before Thursday, July 28 will automatically be included in the draw, which will take place a day later.