KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' promotion to the Football League came at a cost of record losses of over £400,000.

The club has revealed a deficit of £416,457 for the financial year ending May 31, 2000, when Harriers lifted the Nationwide Conference title.

Club chairman Lionel Newton admitted: "I'm afraid this has been the price of success. Kidderminster wanted League football but there's been a price to pay."

The deficit follows a loss the previous year of £277,328, and was caused mainly by a higher wage bill and the settling of contracts for players who could not step up to the League.

Revenue increased late in the season when success on the pitch meant that attendances improved and hospitality packages sold out.

Mr Newton said he expects a smaller loss this season, but has made a fresh appeal for more support, with attendances not having matched expectations so far.

"We are addressing it. All the advertising boards and every executive box has been sold for this season and we have sold 98 per cent of the restaurant packages, so our revenue stream off the field has gone up by 300 per cent.

"We have set a budget based on gates between 3,000-3,500, and if we can get to that we can break even. The figures aren't a surprise to me overall, and I'm happy with the way the club is going.

"But if people want a Football League club in this town they have to support it. If they don't, it will be the town's and community's responsibility. We cannot run this club in the Football League with Conference attendances."

The loss will be discussed by Harriers' shareholders at the annual meeting on February 15.

Transfer-listed centre-half Steve Pope is being tracked by League of Wales club Aberystwyth, who want to take him on a month's loan.

Harriers beat Worcester City 5-1 in the Central Conference last night with goals from Thomas Skovbjerg, Michael Fowler, Dean Bennett, Frederic Bonniface and Tony Bird. Lee Goodman replied for City.