5:27pm Thursday 26th November 2009
MATTHEW Barnes-Homer has joined Harriers' Blue Square Premier rivals Luton for a five figure fee.
The 23-year-old will move on a month's loan to the Hatters, before signing for them at the start of January.
He has been inconsistent this season for the Aggborough outfit but has still managed to score nine goals.
He agreed personal terms at Kenilworth Road today, with Ryan Charles coming the other way.
Harriers have also brought in experienced striker Damian Spencer from Kettering Town on loan.
The front man joined Harriers in the summer of 2007 and scored 37 goals in 117 appearances.
Chairman Barry Norgrove believes that the hitman's move down south is good business for Harriers.
"When one or two players were leaving us in the summer for League clubs, Matthew felt that he had done sufficiently well to also climb the ladder himself.
"He was under the Bosman ruling at that time and obviously we did not want to lose him.
"We put a contract on the table for him straight away which included a substantial increase in his wages because we felt he had done ever so well, and we wanted to keep him here.
"We fought off a lot of other clubs at that time, and it could have been possible that Matthew took the option to move elsewhere, leaving us and a club to battle it out in court for a fee.
"We managed to persuade Matthew that staying with us in the summer was the best thing for his career but we promised that we would not stand in his way should clubs come in for him with a certain level of interest, which they now have.
"He has done well for us and now he wants a chance to prove himself at another club. We did give our word to him that we wouldn't stand in his way - that was part of the deal - so long as the deal was also right for Kidderminster Harriers.
"I have been working very hard over the last few days with a number of clubs who have been interested. Once it became clear that Matthew was wishing to progress, our priority became making sure that a deal was right.
"It wasn't just down to money, it was getting the right club for Matthew, and we have thrashed this deal out and are quite happy with what we've arranged with Luton Town. I think for the interests of Kidderminster Harriers, this is a very, very good deal for a player in the Blue Square Premier.
"I, myself, am very disappointed. I have an excellent relationship with Matthew and didn't want him to leave us.
"But I can understand that he wants to move on. It isn't necessarily the case that we needed the money generated from this deal. Of course as any football club, we could use money, but we are in the black and are ticking over nicely.
"We didn't go out to sell him - clubs came to us, and Matthew came to us. We stuck out for a good deal once we knew he was to leave us - if it wasn't right for all parties then it would never have happened.
Hopefully Mark can now bring in players to ensure that, on the field, we don't miss Matthew."
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