IN a bid to shake off the general malaise that has been lingering around Kidderminster Harriers in recent weeks, manager Mark Yates sent his squad on a team-building day out to the Cheltenham Festival.

And, the former Cheltenham Town man reckons he's on to a winner by using such off-field activities to help forge a bond between his players.

Yates has seen his side pick up just seven points from their last six games -- a sequence made more depressing by the fact that Harriers have only registered two goals.

Such a run of form can easily lead to a lack of confidence and low morale at any club, so Yates decided to sanction the team day out to the famous horse racing festival.

He said: "I didn't go to Cheltenham with the lads. I thought it would be good for them to have some time together away from the manager and the training pitch.

"I think they had a good day and anything that helps team bonding is a good idea in my book."

Goalkeepers John Danby and Daniel Lewis and midfielder Simon Russell are the only current contracted players who were at Aggborough before the start of this season.

And, with the majority of the Kidderminster players on short-term contracts, it is likely there will be more comings and goings this summer.

Yates added: "With so many players on short-term contracts it is difficult to get much stability, but I want to build a squad which has a bit of team spirit. They have to be willing to fight for each other and I think we are getting there.

"Spending time together away from football helps them to get to know each other off the pitch and I am all for that. The trip to Cheltenham seems to have been successful and we will be looking to organise similar activities in the future."