Kidderminster Harriers chairman Mark Serrell has started the search for new directors after a boardroom exodus.

After a dramatic seven days only Serrell, his wife and company secretary Ruth and financial officer Joe Hancox remain on the board.

Vice-chairman Wayne Allen and long-standing supporter Keith Chandler, who each own a one-fifth share in Harriers’ parent company Aggborough Holdings, will no longer be involved in the board’s decision-making process, after being given associate director roles, while Andrew Maidstone has resigned.

The chairman is hoping an open letter to fans this week will help attract new board members who have the time and financial resources to devote to Harriers.

Serrell admitted he needed extra support to ensure the club stays on an even keel, as he splits his time between Harriers and business Plumbing World.

“The board, and that includes Wayne [Allen], Keith [Chandler] and Andrew [Maidstone], felt there needed to be more impetus, more ideas to come into the club and more time,” commented Serrell.

“I cannot continue to give the amount of time I am giving to the club, nor can Ruth. It will have an impact on my own business and ultimately Kidderminster Harriers.

“The discussions which have taken place between us have been amicable.

“Wayne will still be at the club on a day-to-day basis and can undertake other roles in the club if needed, the same can be said about Keith.”

The chairman also revealed he wants to have an expanded board made of up to eight to 10 directors, which would spread the workload and investment.

Meanwhile, the Harriers’ chief has secured financial support from a mystery local businessman.

The club and fans trust KHIST have also agreed on a representative from the supporters group to sit on Harriers’ board.

However, Serrell refused to be drawn on whether local businessmen John Davies, who owns Hire It, and Gino Ruffinato, who runs MG Sportswear, will join the board, despite the duo being heavily rumoured over the weekend to be taking up roles.

He also refuted the notion former owner Lionel Newton was set to return to the club in any capacity.

He said: “The person referred to in the open letter is not Gino Ruffinato but another businessman.

“We’re hoping over the next few days and weeks to announce further appointments to the board.

“People are putting one and one together with Lionel [Newton] coming to the Jan Molby dinner.

“We got on extremely well but the sole focus of our conversation was his time at the club.

“It was very informative but that’s as far as it has gone.”

Harriers hope to entice more local business people on board by lowering the minimum financial requirement needed to join.

The previous regime had placed a minimum tariff on the new directors of £50,000 but Serrell confirmed that fee would now be considerably less.

He said: “The club needs people with ideas, vision and time and it also needs people prepared to invest.

“Before my time people have always assumed you have to put in £50,000.

“There is no restriction in terms of joining the board at present.

“The decision to join is either because someone is prepared to invest a sum of money and also take on some role of responsibility to help the club, or maybe somebody who pledges to raise a lot of money.

“I want people who are genuinely interested in taking the club forward.

“I must make it quite clear, it’s not a pre-requisite that Ruth or I have to be involved, I only want the best for the club.”

n Meanwhile, former Worcester City stalwart Graham Hill has joined Harriers as first team secretary.

Hill, who oversees the Football Conference’s Youth League, was recruited by Allen, who also sits on the governing body.