A MYSTERY Kidderminster Harriers fan made a last-ditch bid to keep Jan Molby at the club after hearing speculation over his departure.

The supporter offered a £20,000 incentive to Molby for him to stay at Aggborough at least until the end of next season.

But the successful Dane quit Harriers last Thursday night and his assistant Gary Barnett resigned the next day.

Molby is now expected to become the new manager of Hull City by the weekend with Barnett tipped to join him at some point.

But Harriers fan Ernie Lane, who is independently raising money through businesses to help the cash-strapped club, revealed the offer made to Molby.

Blakedown-based businessman Lane said: "A supporter wanted to stop Jan Molby going.

"He offered him £10,000 now and £10,000 next January if he stopped this season and next.

"It was put to Jan through Terry Smith, the business development manager, and he was interested but in the end not interested.

"The supporter said he was grossly disappointed because he thought it would at least keep him at the Harriers."

After being appointed by then-chairman Lionel Newton in 1999, Molby and Barnett took Harriers to the Football League by winning the Conference in their first campaign.

They established Harriers in Division Three and took them close to the play-offs this season.

But many loyal supporters have been left feeling let down after the pair quit in a week of intense speculation over Molby taking the Hull job.

Fans have rallied around the club after Newton's departure from the board last month.

And about 300 attended the successful kick-off of a supporters' trust after Saturday's 2-0 win over Southend.

Caretaker-boss Ian Britton, who is being assisted by experienced player Ian Clarkson, added his praise for the Harriers faithful.

Britton declared: "Everybody keeps talking about the numbers of fans but those that have turned up for the last two games have been superb to the players and to me.

"The players have responded in those games and worked very hard in both."

Harriers' play-off hopes were ended as they finished with eight men in a controversial 2-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers on Monday.

But Britton wants them to collect maximum points from the final three games to challenge the teams above.

Harriers, who send a young side to Moor Green in tonight's Worcestershire Senior Cup final first leg (7.30pm), entertain Lincoln on Saturday.

Striker Colin Larkin will return along with keeper Stuart Brock who has been suspended.