GARY Whild admit he feels let down by Josh Gowling's departure to Grimsby Town on-loan.

The 31-year-old is out of contract at Aggborough this summer and has joined their Conference Premier rivals until the end of the campaign.

The manager was disappointed that the defender had revealed his exit on Twitter before either club had been able to confirm it.

Kidderminster had been in talks with Gowling over a new deal.

Chairman Ken Rae and the directors are in the process of working out a budget for the 2015-16 campaign and asked the defender for more time to make him a solid offer.

It was mooted that Gowling, who is also a first team coach, would have been offered a coaching role with the academy.

A statement released by the club said they had 'begrudingly obliged' the centre back to switch to Blundell Park.

The manager said: "It is disappointing to see Josh say he had no option because the club had worked hard to try and offer him something.

"The board had spent all week talking to him and trying to persuade him to stay.

"The directors are in the process of working out the budget for next season and said they would be able to offer him a deal next week, if he could show some some loyalty and stay until the end of the season.

"There's no point promising something we can't afford but we were determined to put something together.

"He is contracted to us until the end of may but and there was time because he's an important player."

Gowling joined Kidderminster during the 2012-13 season and was a revelation, forming an impressive partnership with Chey Dunkley as Harriers finished second and made the play-offs.

He was also key in the run to the FA Cup Fourth Round, where they beat Newport and Peterborough and played Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

However, with the club suffering cashflow issues and set to hand Whild a reduced budget for next season, it has created uncertainty at the club.

He said on Twitter: “Saddest day of my career today. You've inspired me pushed me to do better, made me apart of your family and I will miss you all, Kiddy fans!

“Didn't want to leave but didn't really have a choice. Love you all and I hope the door will be open for me to come back.”

Whild said the club are hoping to tie under Huddersfield defender Will Boyle and Birmingham City youngsters Nathaniel Kelly and James Fry.

Fry could be the man to slot into the gap left by Gowling and play along the fit again Jamie Grimes in Saturday's game against Braintree. Kelly had a previous spell at Harriers in January.

Meanwhile, Whild has revealed he had been offered the chance to speak with Redditch United centre back Clayton McDonald.

He said: "There was never really anything in Clayton, we were offered him by an agent.

"We were interest because he's played at a higher level but that was all."