Higgins may takeover Harriers

Ron Higgins, of Farnborough fame, is leading a consortium to take over Hereford United's Conference neighbours Kidderminster Harriers but current Harries chairman, Colin Youngjohns, is pledging to fight the 'Abramoviches of the Conference' in the battle for control of the club according to the Express & Star.

The background to the story appears to be that Lionel Newton, the current majority shareholder in Harriers, wants to sell. There are expected to be two offers for Newton to consider, one from Youngjohns and one from Higgins.

Youngjohns has offered aroung £400,000 which is beleived to be about what Newton is looking for, but Higgins' offer has not been made public.

Higgins is well known to Hereford United supporters. The independent forum has carried a Higgins out banner for many months after he took over at Farnborough. Reports say he is still in control at the Hampshire club despite fans favourite, Tony Theo, being reinstated to the board. Last night at Farnborough Higgins said he was leaving their club but supporters await conformation.

Should Higgins gain control at Harriers then the future of current manager Stuart Watkiss may be in doubt. Watkiss is understood to be moving back to his hometown, Wolverhampton, and has another year to run on his contract. Higgins is said have former Farnborough management team Neil Sillett and Garry Thompson in his consortium, which could spell the end for Watkiss at Kidderminster.

Neil Sillett is the son of former Hereford United manager John Sillett and was in charge at Farnborough when Hereford put six goals past them on Good Friday.

Youngjohns is said to have the backing of former Harries chief Dave Reynolds. However Newton and Reynolds are said to have bad blood between them.

Newton told the Worcester News: "As long as he (Reynolds) is involved there's no way I'll sell to them."

The uncertainy over who is to own the club is also having an effect on Watkiss's plans to bring in new players to the club.

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