Locals provide rooms for players of non-league side as community comes together for nearby team

Residents near non-league side Kidderminster Harriers have come together to provide rooms for some of the team's players after the club made an appeal.

The rented accommodation provided by the community has been described as "magnificent" by the club's manager, Paul Wotton.

The Worcestershire club, which plays in the National League after being promoted from the sixth tier last season, sent out a message last week asking for those with a "comfortable bedroom with appropriate living facilities" to provide a room.

Wotton, who played nearly 450 times for Plymouth Argyle, praised the community's response and how it will benefit the team after being promoted.

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He said: "Signing a player isn't just about getting them on the pitch for 90 minutes; we've got a duty of care to the player, and we need to look after them.

"The club is fantastic at that; they really look after our boys. There's been a really good response too, which is excellent."

He hopes the rented rooms will be an ideal environment for his side to switch off from football and relax.

Wotton continued: "You don't want to be bombarded with football questions all the time.

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"Being a football player is quite intense, so it's important they have time off from that.

"When we asked for help, the response has been magnificent. It's a fantastic football club, and we've got lots of people wanting to help us out."

The club confirmed it will provide ongoing support for those who provide rented rooms, with a spokesman saying they will be needed on a "season-long basis".

Kidderminster will be playing in the fifth tier next season after being promoted via the play-offs in the National League North.

It will be a huge step-up for the Harriers, after being relegated from the division a couple of seasons ago on the final day with former Hull City boss Phil Brown in charge.

The club had a brilliant run in the FA Cup four years ago, reaching the fourth round of the competition while playing in the National League North.

During their run to the latter stage of the competition, they had beaten fellow National League opponents Grimsby and Halifax before finding a way past Championship side Reading.

The victory saw them face West Ham in the fourth round at home, with the Harriers taking the lead.

Alex Penny's first-half goal led Kidderminster fans to believe their destiny of reaching the fifth round would be fulfilled.

West Ham's captain for the match, Declan Rice, struck late on to send the game to extra time.

Jarrod Bowen, who has committed his future to the Irons, won the match in the dying stages of extra time, knocking the Harriers out of the competition.

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