ASSISTANT manager Gary Barnett believes Kidderminster Harriers reserves will reap rich rewards by playing in the Avon Insurance Second Division next season.

Explaining Harriers' decision to leave the Central Conference, he said: "We felt the club would benefit and progress by playing professional sides every week.

"It is important to have a reserve side that plays in a strong league as this helps improve the sharpness of our squad players and those coming back from injury.

"Some of our younger players like Lee Ayres and Peter Faulds will also progress far quicker playing against fitter and stronger sides."

Harriers reserve side will play all home fixtures at Aggborough with kick-off times expected to be 7pm. Away fixtures are expected to start at 2pm.

Harriers' newly formed U19 team will play in the Football League Alliance next season while the U18s will continue in the Midland Floodlit League.

Fixtures: Aug 15: Scarborough (H); Aug 29: Hull (A); Sep 5: Hartlepool (H); Sep 10: Carlisle (A); Oct 3: Wigan (H); Oct 10: Notts Co (A); Oct 17: Macclesfield (H); Oct 31: Halifax (A); Nov 7: Chesterfield (H); Nov 14: Rochdale (A); Nov 28: Mansfield (H); Dec 5: Halifax (H); Dec 12: Macclesfield (A); Jan 9: Scarborough (A); Jan 16: Hull (H); Jan 30: Wigan (A); Feb 13: Notts Co (H); Feb 20: Carlisle (H); Mar 13: Hartlepool (A); Mar 20: Chesterfield (A); Mar 27: Rochdale (H); Apr 10: Mansfield (A).

Meanwhile, Harriers boss Jan Molby has paid tribute to former Liverpool boss Joe Fagan who died earlier this week.

It was Fagan who brought the Dane to Liverpool in 1984 from Ajax.

Molby said: "Joe gave me my break in English football and he achieved so much in his time with Liverpool.

"I had so much respect for him as a manager and as a person as well. I'm sure he will be remembered at Anfield for a long, long time."