THE new multi-million pound Sky Sports television deal is set to net Kidderminster Harriers a whopping six-figure cash bonanza over the next year.

It is believed Harriers will make just short of £200,000 in a series of instalments before the start of season 2003-04.

The windfall will aid the short-term future of the struggling Division Three club who have been forced into staff cuts to stay afloat.

Sky's £95 million deal is over the next four years but payments to clubs over the final three seasons are likely to be scaled down.

Harriers, who had been due to receive around £280,000 over two years before the ITV Digital deal collapse, will earn more money for any live television appearances.

Although the club had budgeted for a small financial boost from television, the extra windfall will be a major plus for their crucial stand plans on the Bill Greaves Terrace.

It will allow Harriers, whose players started pre-season training on Monday, to focus on events on-the-pitch.

Boss Ian Britton admitted: "I was pleasantly surprised with the fitness levels the players have come back at.

"We were conscious not to push them too hard in training, we're on a five-week programme so we can't get them fit in four days."

Britton has hired national athletics coach Bob Andrews to put the players through their paces on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

He said: "It's something different for the players and breaks up the monotony of training."

Keepers Stuart Brock and John Danby, currently on a training course, will have specialist coaching from ex-Harriers man Tim Clarke on a part-time basis.

The Harriers boss also had a meeting with the players to discuss discipline and his expectations.

Britton stressed it was not a case of laying down the law but it is known he wants individual improvements on last season from various players.

He explained: "There are certain things I want. My exact words to them were that it's a matter of respect.

"If they give me respect, I will give them respect. We are a team in the dressing room. We stick together and work together."

Recent signing Sean Parrish and youth-team defender Inderpaul Khela have been the only new faces in training with young full-back Scott Lower due to join them.

But the lack of a full-time youth system has cost the club talented 16-year-olds Andrew Yarnold and Russell Penn who have signed for Aston Villa and Scunthorpe.

Harriers begin their pre-season programme on Saturday at Stratford Town (3pm) and then visit Evesham United on Monday (7.30pm).

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