Harriers and KHIST – an update

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Harriers Non Executive Director Monica Shafaq has released the following update having held discussions with representatives from the Kidderminster Harriers Independent Supporters Trust (KHIST):

“Since the current ownership took over at the club we have promised to be open, honest and transparent with everyone we deal with, from each other, to our supporters and all those connected to the Club.

“At the time, the Club’s relationship with KHIST was fractured to say the least. The events of the last few years are not our concern and aren’t something we should or will debate, but it was clear that there had been a breakdown in relations. As a Board we felt this benefitted nobody, as a Club and its Supporters Trust, Independent or not, should have a close relationship and work well together. That should involve not only trust, but a level of transparency at both ends. Over the last several months, I have met with and exchanged e-mails with representatives of KHIST to try and rebuild that crucial relationship. In many respects, we have made some progress, but there are some concerns remaining.

“For instance, while everyone at the club appreciates the gesture made by KHIST during the recent Crowdfunder promotion, there appears an unwillingness on KHIST’s part to assist the Club financially without Shares in return. I fully recognise that as an independent body, how KHIST operates is a matter for their own Board to dictate and control. However, given their entire Membership are also, first and foremost, fans of Kidderminster Harriers, we are somewhat uneasy that those people may not have a full understanding of how their membership fees are utilised.

“We are presently at a time where, despite the outright generosity of the Club’s supporters, commercial partners and others, the long-term future of Kidderminster Harriers has been jeopardised – as has the longevity of almost every club in the country. As a Board we believe that this is a time in which bodies such as KHIST should be seen to be seeking to offer financial assistance – even insisting on it – without any condition or caveat, regardless of its intentions or what has gone before.

“As a result, the Board has concluded that effective immediately, it shall no longer hold an expectation to KHIST to provide financial support of any kind and will make no such requests of them. I should make very clear that we remain keen to build and maintain an excellent relationship with all at KHIST. When restrictions permit, we will gladly welcome back their physical presence at the Stadium and I would be more than happy to attend meetings of the KHIST Board to keep that dialogue open and flowing, for the good of both parties and, most importantly, the fans of Kidderminster Harriers.”

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