HARRIERS have reached a crossroads which could define the club.

The January transfer window has slammed shut on a particularly busy month for manager Gary Whild and his coaching staff.

While Harriers can still use the loan market to get players in and out, it's fair to say that this is the squad which will push for the Vanarama Conference play-offs.

With the team eighth in the table, they are in a great position with 14 games left.

One thing is for certain, unless Harriers' financial situation changes, the next four months feel like a watershed moment in the club’s history.

While the Reds have partly reduced the steep wage bill, they still rely on the generosity of benefactors Kath and Ernie Lane to offset it most months.

It looks as though the Lanes will stay on until May, allowing the board of directors to back manager Gary Whild and allow him to bring in experienced players on a short term basis to strengthen his squad and build on their promising league position.

The club believes Danny Wright and Lee Hughes are short term investments which may work if they achieve promotion but are not a financial risk if they miss out.

Former skipper Kyle Storer departed because of an appearance-based clause in his current deal which the club would have struggled to honour next season, while Michael Gash, another big earner, also saw his contract terminated after a disappointing season.

Harriers also felt they had no choice but to sell Marvin Johnson for a five figure fee to Motherwell, rather than lose the player for nothing in the summer.

Unless the Lanes, who have ploughed tens of thousands of their own money into Kidderminster this season, continue their financial commitment, or the club finds a new owner with deep pockets or fresh investment, Whild will have a much smaller budget to play with next season as Harriers face the possibility of part-time football.

The board look at the success of part-time Halifax, who reached the play-offs last season, as proof that semi-professional sides can compete in the Conference.

But with many of the squad out of contract in the summer, there is a sense that Kidderminster’s current cycle has come to an end and that they are starting all over again.

There is also much to play for, with the club's situation making promotion to the SkyBet Football League even more tantalising.

It goes without saying that going up would be hugely positive for Kidderminster, allowing the club to maintain their full-time status, combined with the huge financial boost and excitement of playing in the Football League to boot.

It is certainly interesting times down at Aggborough.