This From HUST:
Last night saw the inaugural game in the Steve Millington Cup between
Kidderminster Harriers and Hereford FC. Whilst the score was 4 – 1 to
Harriers, the result was far less important to members of both
Kidderminster Harriers Independent Supporters Trust (KHIST) and for
Hereford United Supporters Trust (HUST). This was in remembrance of a
KHIST founder member and Chairman Steve Millington, as well as a chance
for HUST to thank Kidderminster Harriers and KHIST for the support they
gave HUST and the fans of Hereford United. In some of our darkest days,
Harriers and KHIST graciously allowed a group of 200 plus Hereford fans
to protest at the way our club was being so poorly run, during a
televised game between Harriers and Welling. It is only when you are at
your lowest do you really find out who your true friends are, and we are
lucky to count Kidderminster Harriers and KHIST in this group.
Unfortunately since our protest Harriers themselves have fallen victim to the pressures of football finance which ultimately saw them relegated from the Conference Premier into Conference North last season. However, thanks to the intervention of people who care about the club and KHIST the future seems much rosier and HUST and all football fans can only wish them luck in trying to get Harriers back into the Conference Premier and in a sustainable and more secure financial footing. A club at the centre of its community and the people proud to support it – sounds familiar!
I think the last few years for both clubs shows that the local community are behind them, whether they go to games or not, but we all must make efforts to engage with them as it is imperative they understand that to continue to have clubs within their community they need to support it in whichever way they can. Support doesn’t have to mean going to games, but becoming Trust members, buying lottery tickets, merchandise, even sponsorship no matter how little they can contribute it can all add up to creating the community club they can be proud of.
I must thank Geoff Coles KHIST Chairman & KHFC Board Representative, Dave Williams KHIST 2020 Lottery Co-ordinator & KHFC Board Representative and Kidderminster Harriers FC Board for their hospitality at the game. Hopefully HUST and HFC will be able to repay this next season at Edgar Street.