Howarth wants to play part on pitch

Howarth, who came on as an injury time substitute in the LDV defeat at Carlisle on Tuesday, has arrived at Aggborough primarily to help Mark Yates control team affairs.

But the added bonus of having the former Macclesfield, Cheltenham and Telford defender on board is his undoubted on-field ability.

Howarth has not been involved on the playing side so far, but with speculation continuing to link skipper Mark Jackson with a move to York, Kidderminster could have a ready-made replacement in the dugout.

"I'm not going to knock the manager's door down if I'm not playing," said the 34-year-old.

"But I'd like to think I've still got a part to play on the pitch."

Before arriving at Aggborough, Howarth was a virtual ever-present in the AFC Telford team in the Unibond Premier Division, combining his playing duties with a full-time coaching and community role.

"I've only missed a handful of games over the last two or three seasons so I still feel quite fit," continued Howarth, who last played in the Conference during the 2003-04 campaign.

"Obviously I've been playing at a lower standard but that was through choice because I had a coaching job offered at Telford if I stayed there.

"I could have been playing at a higher level."

Howarth was surprised at the high standard of football in the Unibond after being the only player to survive the death of Telford United and re-birth of AFC Telford.

But he admits the Conference will be an altogether different proposition with the level rising considerably since he first played in non-league football's premier division with Macclesfield a decade ago.

"I've got to be honest when we dropped down to the Unibond I was expecting it to be a real poor standard but I was really surprised," he said.

"Because Telford have got a set-up and facilities as good as anything outside the Football League teams were coming and having their pictures taken at our stadium and raising their game.

"There were some good players at that level, but since coming to Kidderminster I've noticed what a good league the Conference is so there is a big step up.

"It's a different league to even a couple of seasons ago when I was there with Telford and compared to nine or 10 seasons ago when I got promoted with Macclesfield there's a massive difference.

"It's a lot more like the Third Division and because there's a lot of foreigners in the country a lot of quality players are getting pushed down into the Conference.

"The fact most of the clubs are full-time now also makes it much stronger."

Howarth insists his pre-conceived perception that Harriers was a well-run club has been confirmed during his first three weeks at Aggborough.

"I've lived in the area for six years so I've been following the fortunes of Kidderminster through that time and I probably knew a little bit more than the average person about them," he said.

"When the opportunity arose I thought, Yeah, I'd like to play a part in the sort of success they had a couple of years back.

"I've loved it here so far. I knew it was a good club from having played against Kidderminster because it was always a hard place to come on the pitch and a friendly well-run club off it.

"Since I've come here I've noticed that for a place that's supposed to be in a bit of turmoil and upheaval following relegation, the spirit here is still brilliant.

"Don't get me wrong, there's things we want to do and change but it's not by any stretch of the imagination a massive job to turn things around.

"There's a lot of good things going on."

Howarth also hopes the fact he and Yates live on the outskirts of town will be a plus point.

"I suppose it's handed when things are going well, but ask me again once we've had a couple of poor results," smiled Howarth, who has lived in Hartlebury for six years.

"I suppose there's no hiding place and you do bump into people who let you know their opinions, but I don't think that's a bad thing."