KIDDERMINSTER Harriers suffered a £265,375 loss during their first season in the Football League.

Shareholders will be officially told of the deficit when they stage their annual meeting in the executive suite at Aggborough on Thursday, May 2, starting at 7pm.

The loss is highlighted in the Nationwide League Division Three club's statement of accounts for the year ended May 31, 2001.

Harriers' turnover in the period covered by the accounts amounts to £1,661,368 compared with £898,351 for the previous 12 months. Administrative expenses rose from £1,299,518 to £1,915,394.

Confirmation of Kidderminster's latest financial loss comes in the wake of millionaire Lionel Newton's decision to quit as chairman. He blamed poor support and lack of support from local businesses.

Former boss Jan Molby also hit out at Kidderminster's lack of support before he left to become manager of Division Three rivals Hull City.

Meanwhile, Harriers are paying the price of their poor disciplinary record on the pitch with no fewer than four players being suspended for their last league match of the season on Saturday when they entertain Leyton Orient.

Missing out will be Drewe Broughton, Scott Stamps, Ian Foster and Abdou Sall.

Striker Broughton and left-back Stamps will be serving the second of two-match suspensions for picking up ten bookings each.

Front-runner Foster starts a three-game ban for his recent sending off at Bristol Rovers.

As well as Saturday's clash he will also miss the following Wednesday's Worcestershire Senior Cup final second leg against Moor Green at Aggborough.