IAN Britton is telling his Kidderminster Harriers players to stick by the rules during the coming season which gets under way next Saturday with a Nationwide League Division Three clash against Lincoln City at Aggborough.

The determined Harriers boss has laid down certain guidelines for his troops who today stepped up their preparations for the new campaign by entertaining Division Two newcomers Cheltenham Town in a friendly.

He said: "I don't want to run the place like a regiment but I will come down on players if they abuse the rules."

Britton is heading for his first term in charge after being promoted from reserve and youth manager to take over from former Liverpool star Jan Molby, who is now chief at Hull City.

Among the rules he has laid down is a ban from drinking 48 hours before games which falls in line with most professional clubs.

He has also restored en route pick-ups for away matches for those campaigners

who live outside the area. Britton believes that his players 'should be treated like adults', but says he will clamp down on anyone who breaks the rules.

He said: "I've told them never think I'm naive. If they break the rules I will find out and they will lose privileges."

Full-back Scott Stamps should return from his ankle injury for the first game of the season.

Meanwhile, two Harriers old boys have completed transfers to Division Two newcomers Mansfield Town ahead of the new campaign.

They are striker Colin Larkin, who spent much of last season on loan at Aggborough from Wolves, and midfielder Neil MacKenzie, who left Harriers for Blackpool a year ago.

Finally Birmingham County FA youth team boss Martin Sweeney is to scout for Harriers with responsibility for players aged 16 to 19 and for assessing the club's Division Three opposition.