IAN Britton is well aware he was not the most popular managerial appointment there has ever been at Aggborough.

But the former youth and reserve chief is determined to take advantage of the circumstances which have led to a first chance at Football League management.

Like other clubs this summer, a lack of cash has led to Harriers appointing from within after the departure of Jan Molby and Gary Barnett to Division Three rivals Hull.

Britton made a success of the reserves, who have been axed as a cost-cutting measure, and the youth teams.

But this season will be the biggest test of his football career, especially considering the popularity and success of Molby before he left.

Britton insisted: "Replacing Jan doesn't bother me. If you look over the last few months, you see how many teams are promoting from within.

"Graham Allner at Cheltenham has managed before but not in the Football League.

"Then there's been Stuart Watkiss who was youth team manager at Mansfield Town and Martin Hinshelwood at Brighton.

"I think it is to do with money but also continuity. We know what's going on with our clubs and they have stuck with people they know."

Britton will work with a smaller squad but most of the players who led Harriers to a 10th place finish last season are still there.

The new boss is cagey about making predictions for the coming season.

He shrugged: "I think we will be alright this season, especially with the two additions we have got.

"The experience of Sean Parrish and Sean Flynn will help the younger players.

"Anyone who was watching the Cheltenham game on Saturday will have seen what we are about. We wanted to show people in that game.

"The players have been great and there have been no problems. As a team, they have to be fit to do what I want.

"And they showed that against Cheltenham in the last 25 minutes when we really came into it. The fitness levels are very good."

But Britton insisted one thing is for sure - he has spent enough time at the club to know there is no point moaning about attendances.

Stay-away fans notoriously created frustration for previous chairman Lionel Newton and eventually Molby.

He explained: "People can go on about the support and our home crowds but Kidderminster will not change.

"I am grateful to the supporters who come every week. The crowd has never really changed that much in all the years I have been here.

"It won't change unless we get a very good cup run. Hopefully, we can pull a few more in to Aggborough but it isn't worth going on about."

Individually, some of Harriers' players have the ability to be among the best in the division.

Britton said: "Drewe Broughton and Bo Henriksen have scored five goals between them in our big friendlies.

"Drewe has done well and Bo has come back looking really sharp.

"There's a lot of potential at the club but actually having potential and taking it to the next stage are two different things."

And Britton gave an insight into how things may have changed from life with the Dane.

He added: "We have been working on more of the defensive sides of the game that Jan didn't.

"Because he was such a great player, he often just expected them to do things.

"But these are Third Division players and kids. Practise, practise, practise, that's how they are going to get better."