KIDDERMINSTER Harriers’ main shareholders have thrown their weight behind the cash-strapped club to ensure its future.

Barry Norgrove, Neil Savery and Jane Murrant have pledged to meet the struggling Aggborough outfit’s financial obligations for the rest of the season.

This will allow the board of directors, lead by newly-appointed chairman Rod Brown, to use the funds generated by sales of the early bird season tickets for the 2016-16 campaign in the Vanarama National League.

This is the latest development in a tumultuous week for the Reds, which saw the major shareholders, who own over half the club’s shares, oust chairman Ken Rae from the board, as well as force out directors John Davies and Gino Ruffinato.

“We felt we had to do something because the club was not being run properly,” said former chairman Norgrove.

“There were a number of issues, including staff not being paid and we were worried that fans would not buy season tickets.

“We are all dyed-in-the-wool Harriers fans and only want what's best for the club.

“We’d also like to thank Kath and Ernie Lane for all their help and the money they have put in, which must be over £150,000 over this season.”

Norgrove admits they are only just beginning to learn how much money the club owes, as they go through the accounts.

Brown was named chairman on Monday after impressing the main shareholders, who have started the process of looking for new directors.

New board members will be required to put in £10,000 each season, but also take on a specific role. The majority owners have also pledged to meet each month to scrutinise the club’s finances.

Norgrove also confirmed Harriers will remain full-time, although manager Gary Whild is set to be handed a much smaller budget, depending on the sale of early bird season tickets – which are £10 cheaper than last year.

“At this stage we are still going through the club’s finances so we're still finding out the full extent,” added Norgrove.

“It will all become clearer in the next few weeks, but it was important to start working hard to get the club back on track and put a smile on fans’ faces.”

Davies, who owns club sponsors Hire It, insists he had already quit the board before Friday's events, after a proposed meeting between the Lanes and the players last Thursday fell through.

The well-known Kidderminster fans released a statement saying claiming the benefactors had not delivered on financial promises.

He said: “I agreed to set up a meeting between chairman Ken Rae, Dave Williams and Ernie and Kath Lane to discuss a matter I was not able to answer.

“Unfortunately, I was at a funeral in Bristol and could not attend but was informed that for reasons which were not fully explained it fell through.

“I had already sent a text to Rod Brown informing him of my decision to quit the board of directors if the meeting did not happen.

“I will always support the club and have already agreed to sponsor them again next season.

“I urge all the fans to get behind Gary Whild and the players and I will make a further statement in due course.”