CAPTAIN Jared Hodgkiss has called on Kidderminster Harriers’ youthful new recruits to grasp the chance to play full-time football with both hands.

Despite only being at the Aggborough outfit, last season’s player of the year, 30, is considered to one of the club’s senior players.

The Reds have snapped up the likes of Jordan Jones and Calvin Dinsley from Southern League Premier side Redditch United, Tipton goal-getter Gurjit Singh, as well as handing academy prospects such as Luke Maxwell, Kennedy Diggie and Dan Sweeney a chance to prove themselves.

Hodgkiss, who plays a right-back, is sure the additions of Joe Clarke, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner and Kelvin Langmead, who have plenty of experience in the Vanarama National League between them, will be key to the club’s success.

He said: “With really established guys like Callum Gittings, Jack Byrne and Danny Lewis moving on it was the right time to bring in some younger players.

“I’ve been very impressed by the young lads, they have given the older guys a kick up the bum in training, even me.

“The squad spirit is very good and it’s going to need to be because the budget is smaller than before.

“It’s going to be important for all the experienced guys to lead by example on the pitch and also help them.

“Everybody wants to be a footballer, so these guys have been given a fantastic opportunity which I hope they take.

“We have no expectations about this season, we know it’s going to be tough because we’re in a very hard league but with the players the club signed I am also confident that we can surprise and people.”

Hodgkiss was also pleasantly surprised by the transformation in atmosphere at Harriers, with chairman Rod Brown and the board working hard during the close season to pick up the club after it had been destabilised by cashflow worries.

The defender added: “I was very lucky that I played 25 times last season and triggered an extension to my deal.

“I was able to have a relaxed summer in the comfort I knew where I would be playing last season.

“But I must admit the atmosphere around the ground is completely different from last season.

“The chairman (Rod Brown) has been a breath of fresh air and honesty about the situation.”