KIDDERMINSTER Harriers could miss out on vital FA Cup cash after being caught up in a Blackpool fans' protest.

A disgruntled section of home support is boycotting this Saturday's first round clash at Bloomfield Road due to their on-going opposition of how the Tangerines are being run.

It means Harriers will be hit in the pocked to the tune of £20,000-£25,000, according to club officials. FA Cup competition rules give the visiting side 45 per cent of any gate receipts.

However, conscious of how the protest will hit Harriers, members of Blackpool Supporters' Trust (BST) are set to launch a fundraising initiative to help make up the shortfall.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The supporters’ trust is not proposing that fans should abandon the ethical boycott for this FA Cup game, but we are putting forward a different, creative solution.

"We are suggesting that any fan boycotting the FA Cup match could make a donation via the BST website ‘donate’ button. If each supporter were to donate between £6 and £13, the Trust will gift the sum of all the £6 donations to Kidderminster Harriers to compensate them for the boycott."

Harriers chairman Colin Gordon says he understands the situation and is grateful of the fundraising gesture.

He said: "I think the attitude of their fans has been fantastic.

"When you hear about the situation you get that sinking feeling because it will mean the club will be out of pocket. But the fans have recognised that and made an absolutely fantastic gesture.

"It is a difficult situation because you work your socks off to get into the first round and the revenue from that can set you up for the rest of the season.

"It's a bit of a shock that we could miss out on up to £25,000 but hopefully the fundraising will help us recoup some of that.

"We didn't budget to get this far after what happened last season against Stourbridge, so the further we go in the competition this year will be a bonus for the club."