Football / Non-League Notebook: Kidderminster stand tall: Addison in a more modest debut

WINNING the championship twice in a row will be a tall order, but if Kidderminster Harriers can become only the second club to defend their GM Vauxhall Conference title successfully there should be no argument this time about promotion to the Football League, writes Paul Newman.

Kidderminster were denied promotion in a summer row over the rebuilding of their main stand at Aggborough. Dave Reynolds, the Kidderminster chairman, always insisted it would be done promptly and his promise was fulfilled on Monday.

To mark the occasion, Kidderminster played Wolverhampton Wanderers and held the First Division leaders to a 2-2 draw.

Kidderminster's next Conference match is next Tuesday at home to Merthyr Tydfil, who have appointed Colin Addison as their new manager. For a man who has managed the likes of Atletico Madrid and Derby County, Addison's first match with Merthyr tomorrow should be a novel experience: they entertain Goytre United in the second round of the Welsh Cup.

The Conference is proving highly competitive this season, as was underlined this week when the competition's only unbeaten record ended when Northwich Victoria lost 4-0 at home to Gateshead.