Kidderminster Harriers appoint Paul Wotton to lead National League return

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Kidderminster Harriers have appointed former Torquay United boss Paul Wotton as the successor to Adam Murray at Aggborough and to lead their return to the National League.

Murray departed for Barrow just days after Harriers secured promotion with victory over South Shields in the National League North Promotion Final.

The two managers will now face each other next season following the Bluebirds’ relegation from the Football League, with Wotton handed the task of building on the strong platform Murray leaves behind at Kidderminster.

The former Plymouth Argyle captain made more than 500 appearances for his hometown club across two spells at Home Park and also represented Southampton, Oxford United and Yeovil Town during his playing career before moving into coaching with the Pilgrims following his retirement.

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Next chapter

His first managerial role came with Truro City in 2019 and he guided the Tinners to promotion from the Southern League Premier Division South through the play-offs in 2023, returning the club to National League South level after four years away.

Wotton then joined Torquay, and in his first season in Devon, he led the Gulls to a second-place finish in National League South, ending level on points with champions, and his former side, Truro before losing in the play-offs to Boreham Wood.

Torquay sat fourth and 10 points behind leaders Dorking Wanderers when Wotton left the club in March following a heavy defeat to Chelmsford City.

Harriers director of football Dean Holdsworth believes Wotton is the right man to guide the club into their next chapter.

Leader

“From our first conversation with myself and the chairman, Paul stood out as exactly the type of leader we wanted for this football club,” Holdsworth said.

“He has the experience, qualifications, standards and mentality to drive us forward, and his ambition matches our own.”

“He knows what it takes to build successful, competitive teams and we’re confident he is the right man to lead us into the next challenge, we are looking forward to an exciting new season.”

The club said Wotton’s first interview as the new manager will follow later this week.

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