ADAM Murray believes Kidderminster Harriers channeled the power of the club’s supporters en route to securing promotion from the National League North.
The Harriers boss successfully guided the club to promotion in his first season at the helm at Aggborough following victory against South Shields in the play-off final.
Goals from Kieren Donnelly and Charlie Cooper stunned hosts South Shields at the 1st Cloud Arena as Harriers claimed a 2-0 victory in front of 1,000 travelling supporters.
Harriers fans questioned Murray’s style of play earlier in the campaign with Kidderminster in and around the lower end of the play-off places up until December.
However, Murray’s side ended the season in stunning form as victory against South Shields sealed an eighth successive victory for Harriers.
And Murray hopes the club’s promotion has banished the memories of Kidderminster’s shock title collapse on the final day of the previous campaign.
Murray said: “It’s deep, it’s really deep, this is the deepest promotion I’ve had and I’ve been blessed to have lot of promotions.
“Over the last few years, I’ve been so blessed that I’ve won continuously and that’s because I’ve had great teams around me.
“But this is a deep one. This is touching some real, raw emotions for me because of how much has gone into it.
“There’s so much energy and effort from the players and the staff and I have to give a big mention to Dean Holdsworth [director of football].
“Me and the supporters at the start, we had some home truths and we clashed heads a little bit.
“I knew from both sides, it was always for the greater good. It was just because people cared and were so passionate.
“They’ve seen their team kick into gear as the season has gone on and we’ve seen over the last few months the power the fans have carried.
“I know how much they wanted it last season and it hurt bad and it cut deep but now they can enjoy it.”
Harriers return to the National League after two campaigns playing in the National League North.
And Murray highlighted the special team spirit his side have built over the course of the season as one of the reasons behind Kidderminster’s successful promotion bid.
Murray added: “It’s been a grind, there’s been some real challenges and some real high moments.
“That group of players is a special group of players and not just footballers. They’re unbelievable people.
“The togetherness and team spirit, when you know the man next to you is going to die for you if needs be, and those boys have got that.
“This team has been playing under pressure for a long time, they’ve had to win games for a long time.
“I’m just so proud of all the players and the staff. The staff have grinded so hard this season. Everyone deserves a lot of credit.
“I’m just so happy after the season the club had last season, to fail at the last hurdle, it was always going to be a massive challenge this season to go again.
“But everybody’s dug in and I’m just so pleased for everybody.”
