PAUL Wotton insists Kidderminster Harriers must look up the National League table next season in his first interview as the club’s new manager.
Harriers appointed Wotton as Adam Murray’s successor earlier this week after the latter departed for Barrow just three days after guiding Kidderminster to promotion from the National League North.
Murray’s departure so soon after the club’s play-off final victory has meant Harriers have not yet revealed their retained and released list following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
Goalkeeper Christian Dibble has already confirmed his departure from the club via a social media post and Wotton confirmed the shot-stopper’s exit when speaking as Harriers boss for the first time.
Wotton also confirmed the club will announce their retained list next week and remains relaxed with regards to incomings with Harriers to target players with National League experience.
Wotton said: “I’m really excited to be here, it’s a tremendous club and I feel very privileged to be the manager.
“Adam [Murray] did a very good job. I’ve got experience of the National League South, I’ve been in football all my life since I left school, I’ve got plenty of experience.
“You could say we’re a little bit behind the curve recruitment wise but the hard work has already started.
“There’ll always be loads of players it’s just choosing the right ones that fit the DNA, personality and ethos of the football club.
“I’m very calm and relaxed about it. I believe [the retained list] is getting published on Monday.
“It’s important I bring in the players I want to bring in and players who don’t want to be here move on.
“National League experience is really important, it’s a big step up from the league below and from the Football League as well, we’re also going to need young legs.
“It’s critical [the loan system]. We need to get the loans right. We’re already making plans for that.”
Wotton missed out on the National League South title on goal difference in his first season in charge of former club Torquay United in 2024/25.
And Wotton hopes Harriers can upset a few teams next season as the club prepare to make the step up to the National League.
Wotton added: “We all want to play beautiful football. I’m a football purist, I like winning football.
“I like to be front-footed, I like my teams to be aggressive, strong, it’s a very physical league, we’re going to have to be ready for that.
“I like to play forward, plenty of entries into the box and out of possession I like to go after teams. My philosophy is to try and win.
“Absolutely [it’s a big step up], it’s pretty much a professional league, there’s a massive variation in budgets but we’re ready for the challenge.
“We’ve got to look up. We know it’s going to be a challenge but the togetherness and that little bit of underdog, we’ll go and try and upset a few people.”
