KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have swooped for two experienced additions as they look to get back to the National League at the first time of asking.
Boss Phil Brown has recruited former Wolves and Birmingham City midfielder David Davis on a one-year deal and York City winger Maziar Kouhyar on a season-long loan.
Davis, 33, is a veteran of almost 400 senior career appearances in the Premier League and Football League.
He played more than 60 games in six seasons for Wolves and then joined Blues in 2014 for the best part of 200 appearances.
Davis has since played for Shrewsbury Town and Forest Green Rovers before a successful trial with Harriers who started pre-season with a 1-0 win at Championship side Cardiff City and a similar victory at Hellenic League outfit Droitwich Spa.
Kouhyar, 26, has already tasted promotion from National League North with York in 2021-22 which Harriers will aim to replicate after their relegation.
He progressed to the first team at Walsall with more than 20 appearances.
After a spell out with injury Kouhyar joined Hereford in 2021 and performed impressively there before his form was rewarded with the switch to York.
The Afghanistan international has made over 70 appearances for the Minstermen, including 25 in last season’s National League.
Midfielder Zak Brown’s goal earned Harriers the 1-0 pre-season win at Droitwich.
The Reds again fielded two separate teams with Ashley Hemmings, summer signing Maliq Cadogan and Kobe Hall going close in the first half.
Seb Thompson, Jack Lambert and Caleb Richards threatened the goal in the second period before the winner arrived on 77 minutes.
Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain drove the ball across and the ball fell to Brown who smashed home.
Harriers previously picked up an eye-catching 1-0 win to open pre-season at Cardiff International Sports Campus.
Hemmings was denied twice before an effort near the end of the first half was saved by keeper Jak Alnwick only for the ball to divert in off Cardiff's Joel Colwill.
Harriers now visit Mickleover of the Northern Premier League Premier Division on Saturday (3pm) before going to promoted National League outfit Tamworth next Tuesday (7.45pm).
The National League North campaign kicks off on Saturday, August 10 at Darlington (3pm).
Meanwhile, Stourport Swifts have been drawn away to Worcester Raiders in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday, August 3 (3pm).
Swifts host Gornal Athletic in a friendly on Saturday (3pm).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here