PENN IS THE NEW KIDD TO COME IN AS NO.1
PROUD Russ Penn has been appointed permanent manager at Kidderminster Harriers – and he hopes the club can now build on the stability.
Penn, who began his professional career at Kiddy before going on to play in the Football League with Cheltenham and York City, had been in caretaker charge before the season was halted.
He started the season as assistant to John Pemberton, who left in November, and was then alongside Jimmy Shan before the former West Brom coach took the job at Solihull Moors.
Penn says he owes a lot to the National League North club and he’s proud to be at the helm.
“Kiddy were the first club I signed for professionally back in 2005,” Penn told The NLP.
“I had some really good times there that set me up in my career for going into the Football League, playing at Wembley and ten times for England C. The club has always stuck by me. They saw me return to the latter part of my career and here we are today.
“The last few years it’s always been about: how do we get there as quick as we can? Well, like everyone, we all want that.
“But actually by having a clear structure and realistic achievements and objectives we can get there.”
Penn and his team have been keeping in regular contact through the hiatus and now can really ramp up preparations for the new campaign whenever football is allowed to reutrn.
“We waited until the season was finalised clearly, which it did on Wednesday,” Penn, who will be assisted by Jimmy O’Connor, said.
“It’s vital for the people of Kidderminster that, after having six weeks of no news, there is some positive news and we can start looking forward to next season.
“Next season will happen at some stage or another. The timing we don’t know but football will be back.”