Kidderminster Harriers: Next season can be positive - Whild

Gary Whild has admitted that he considered quitting during the club's financially-troubled 2014-15 season

Kidderminster Harriers can still be optimistic about their future next season despite their money worries, according to manager Gary Whild.

Financial problems have undermined the Conference club's promotion hopes, leading to player sales and staff going without their full wages.

Despite that, Whild is confident that things can get better in 2015-16.

"Hopefully we can draw a line under this season and make a good fist of next season," he said.

Harriers finished last weekend with a 2-1 defeat at Eastleigh to end the campaign in 16th place.

It was their third loss in their last four games to cap a difficult second half of the season, in which they have won only three times in 21 games since Christmas.

The run contrasted sharply with their form before the turn of the year when Harriers were outside the play-off places on goal difference only, following a third win in a row at Forest Green on Boxing Day.

Having already lost Nathan Blissett to Bristol Rovers and Chey Dunkley to Oxford United, financial pressure forced Harriers to trim their wage bill further when Michael Gash joined Barnet, winger Marvin Johnson moved to Scottish side Motherwell and Josh Gowling signed for Grimsby.

Although Whild was able to use the loan market to bring recruits in, along with former striker Lee Hughes, results failed to pick up and Harriers continued to fall away from top-five contention.

Earlier this month, chairman Ken Rae was among three directors to resign from the board.

However, an agreement was struck with the supporters' trust (KHIST) to cover bills for the rest of the season and the club will remain full-time next term, albeit with a significantly reduced budget.

"It's been difficult for everyone this season, so it's nice to get it out of the way," Whild told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"It's going to be tough next season but we're confident - there are plenty of players about who want to be full-time footballers."