KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have appointed former Crystal Palace and Leeds United defender John Pemberton as their new manager.

The 54-year-old takes charge at Aggborough having agreed a two-year contract.

Midfielder Russ Penn has been appointed player-assistant manager at the National League North club.

Pemberton made over 300 appearances as a player for the likes of Crewe, Palace, Sheffield United and Leeds.

In coaching and management his career has already stretched the best part of two decades at academy and senior level.

After retiring as a player, Pemberton led Nottingham Forest's championship-winning under 18s side.

He took over as first team caretaker manager at the City Ground in 2008, steering Forest to an FA Cup win at Manchester City.

In academy football he has been at Sheffield United and most recently Chesterfield along with senior roles at Bristol City, Palace and Northampton Town as assistant and caretaker manager.

Oldham-born Pemberton was also caretaker boss at Chesterfield in the National League last season.

A Harriers statement said of Pemberton: "An astute and disciplined character, he is widely regarded in football circles.

"We look forward to moving onwards and upwards under John’s leadership."

Former Football League club Harriers endured a turbulent 2018-19 season with management spells for Neil MacFarlane and Mark Yates proving brief.

They had their worst finish in more than 40 years with 10th position in non-league's second tier.

Harriers have remained a full-time club under chairman Colin Gordon since their relegation from the National League in 2016.