SPORTS EDITOR'S MAILBAG

WHEN I first began to support Kidderminster Harriers several years ago, I had the attitude winning was all that mattered.

I loved the Harriers when they won but put them and their manager down when the club lost.

I did not see why I should spend my money on a losing team and thought they should earn my support by winning or, in my eyes, by trying harder.

Being American, I could not understand the "typically British" attitude people told me was normal.

The British love sports figures on the way up but then knock them down once they reach the top.

Once they are at the top, I feel that is when we should show our love and support to keep them there.

After being a season-ticket holder for several years, my attitude towards Harriers has changed but I hadn't realised how much until the 6-1 loss at Hull.

I realised how even more people would turn away and how much true support is now really needed.

Until that point, both home and away, I had cheered and clapped until the Harriers fell behind.

I then lost a bit of interest and found it difficult to cheer because I thought: "Oh no, not again".

But with all the lack of support and negative publicity, I will be even more enthusiastic in my support.

I will continue to express my positive feelings about how things are going to turn around for us, and to defend Brit and his players.

No-one makes decisions they think will be the wrong ones and games are not lost intentionally.

I think the players, for the most part, give their best and I think that is all we can ask of anyone.

Thanks to Brit for all his efforts to put together a winning team on a shoestring budget and to the players for trying so hard even though it does not always show in the final score.

Also thanks to Colin Youngjohns for publicly supporting Brit at a time when it is desperately needed.

These days are difficult ones for us fans but must be so much more so for the manager and his team.

It is easy to criticise as everyone's job looks easier than our own. Each critical fan knows exactly what needs to be done to put together a winning team.

But how many people who "know" what Brit needs to do have been professional coaches or managers?

I wonder if those people who find it so easy to criticise the players have ever played professionally?

Just when we should all be pulling together, more people are jumping on the negative bandwagon and that obviously has not had the desired effect.

Let's see if we can try to be more supportive and positive during these difficult times. It might help and if it doesn't, at least we have done all we can.

GLORIA WAGSTAFF

Salisbury Drive

Kidderminster