CHAIRMAN Mark Serrell has promised the Aggborough pitch will be protected after Worcester City agreed a deal to play at Kidderminster Harriers.

Months of talks came to fruition yesterday when both clubs ratified the groundshare, which ensures City will play at Harriers’ Hoo Road home during the 2013-14 campaign.

The tie-up, which sees Kidderminster paid a set sum on a match-by-match basis for the hire and use of ground, also contains an option to extend the deal for a further season.

The agreement will come as a relief for City, who have to leave their St George’s Lane home and end more than a century of tradition this summer.

With the Aggborough pitch facing more games and less recovery time, Serrell is well aware there is a risk of wear and tear, but has promised any funds made from the partnership will be used to maintain the playing surface.

“Any money we receive will be put back into maintaining the pitch, none of it will be used to increase the transfer budget,” said the chairman.

“I know some people are worried about the impact on the playing surface but it has held up remarkably well over the last few months.

“The groundshare also means there will be a match on at Aggborough virtually every week but I am hoping the Harriers fan who don’t go to away matches will go and watch Worcester.

Meanwhile, Harriers’ hopes of bolstering the squad before tonight’s 11pm transfer window deadline could go down to the wire.

Manager Steve Burr is still keen to replace Jamille Matt with another centre forward.

Press reports from up north have said the club agreed a fee with York City for striker Jamie Reed at the start of the week in order to open talks with him.

The Reds have also been linked with Ashton United wideman Scott Hogan.

“Steve Burr and Gary Whild have plenty of irons in the fire and we’ll see what happens,” said Serrell.

“It’s a credit to both of them that they are so sensible when it comes to transfers.

“The money from the sale of Jamille has not helped because people have asked for unrealistic figures.

“It would be easy to over spend on a player, but neither of them have been drawn into that. It is to his credit that Steve is very respectful of the club’s money, he treats it with great care.”

Meanwhile, Harriers have bolstered their midfield options by signing Worcester-based midfielder Danny Jackman, 30, on an 18-month contract, after he was released by League Two outfit Gillingham on Monday.

Jackman made a promising debut in Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over AFC Telford.

Striker Nathan Blissett saw his deal at Harriers extended until the end of next season, while defender Ryan Austin had his contract cancelled last week after returning from a loan spell at Brackley.

  •  Harriers will be aiming to record their second Blue Square Bet Premier double when they take on title-chasers Newport County at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3.15pm ko).

They then turn their attentions to the Worcestershire Senior Cup at home to Redditch United next Tuesday (7.30pm ko).