NEW skipper Sean Lloyd has warned cricket fans not to expect Kidderminster to bounce back at the first attempt after relegation last season.

Lloyd, also the groundsman at Chester Road North, believes Birmingham and District League Division One will be a tough test.

The 34-year-old former Old Hill player admitted Kidderminster must rely on some of the talented young players at their disposal.

But Lloyd has vowed to install more "professionalism" at the town club who were relegated from the Premier Division last season.

Previous captain Mark Mansell had been desperate to step down and concentrate on his game after five years leading Kidderminster.

And his replacement, a batsman with Worcestershire seconds' experience, said: "If we hold our own at this level, we will have done quite well because it will be difficult.

"We have dropped down a division but not really down a standard. A lot of clubs are paying a lot of money for players you would normally find in the Premier.

"I'm looking to bringing some professionalism and want more commitment because last year they weren't practising and were turning up when they felt like it.

"You have to take it more seriously because you're playing against quality cricketers all the time."

Kidderminster have made various changes, appointing Norman Broadfield as chairman and Rob Wood in a coaching role.

They will have Indian Mandeep Singh available again along with Worcestershire's Chris Liptrot, Gurdeep Kandola and highly-rated young wicket-keeper Steve Davies but county player James Pipe has left for Old Hill.

Lloyd, 34, continued: "They have let things go a little bit as we will probably be running on eight to 12 senior playing members.

"The strength we have is that we have probably a good dozen 16 to 18-year-olds.

"We are going to have to go with these kids and with our backing and coaching we hope they will do well.

"We want to get the youth coaching back on a steady footing and get the U-13s and U-11s back.

"There's a good committee together from the people I've met, including Norman who is very keen and has done a bit of fundraising.

"This is the biggest club around the Kidderminster area and it should draw the best players and young kids. That hasn't been happening for one reason or another."

Lloyd has been getting the wicket back on track after groundsman Denis Jones died last season.

He added: "It's been hard work with the ground as there were a few problems left from last season.

"On the playing side, my game has been pretty steady for the last few years but I've always played in the Premier League.

"I know a few of the players a little but we will need a few results to get us going in the right direction."