IAN Britton is more than happy for Kidderminster Harr-iers to be written off again as Division Three's unlikely lads.

Harriers upset more than a few of the competition's so-called bigger teams last season and Britton is keen for that to happen again.

The Bristolian was in the right place at the right time to take over as manager of Worcestershire's only Football League club when Jan Molby left.

But he grabbed the opportunity with both hands in his first full season in charge, surprising many people in Wyre Forest, never mind outside the district.

The club just lacked the strength in depth to sustain what had looked a promising play-off challenge and that may be the deciding factor once again.

But straight-talking Britton continues to shrug off the doubters and he insisted: "People wrote us off last season and they have done it again.

"I haven't a problem with that. We have to try to get into the play-offs and I believe we certainly have got the talent to do that."

The Harriers boss has been more than happy with the pre-season preparations and was especially pleased with the trialists he invited to train with the club.

They made such an impression that five, Adam Willis, John Williams, Kenny Coleman, Graham Ward and Nick Heath, have earned contracts to bring Britton's summer signing tally up to seven.

He admitted: "I had no intention of signing Adam Willis or John Williams when I first took them on trial but like all of them, they have made it very hard not to be signed.

"Adam is a good organiser at the back and that's what we've needed. John is bigger and more physical than our other forwards and is still quite quick.

"Kenny has shown me he has more hunger, coming back fitter and leaner, Graham is another young promising lad and Nick has deserved his chance. He's come out of the youth team and done well for me since he was 16."

Britton's side mis-fired in their last pre-season test, a 2-1 defeat at former Conference rivals Hereford United on Saturday.

But he said: "It was a bad one. But it was going to happen sooner or later and I'm glad it was in pre-season. Hopefully, it will be out of our system now."

The goals will need to be spread more around the team but he is backing last season's top scorer Bo Henriksen to continue to lead the way.

And the sides that will be challenging for promotion from Division Three?

Britton predicted: "I think Hull, Northampton and Bristol Rovers will be up there."

While Kidderminster continue to be under-estimated, there is a greater chance they could emerge as the surprise package of the division.