Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Kidderminster Harriers
The Bluebirds will play our first pre-season fixture of the 2024/25 campaign on Wednesday, July 10th, taking on national league outfit Kidderminster harriers.
The fixture will take place at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, kicking off at 7.30pm.
Opposition focus | In the dugout
The man in charge of the Harriers is experienced manager Phil Brown.
Born in South Shields, Brown enjoyed an 18-year career as a professional footballer, making over 600 appearances, before going on to manage at an array of different levels of the Football pyramid.
This included a four year stint at Hull City, with whom he gained promotion to the Premier League, beating Bristol City in the 2008 Play-Off Final.
Since then, he has taken the reigns at clubs such as Preston North End, Southend United, and Swindon Town.
Brown has signed a two-year contract extension at Aggborough ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Opposition focus | Last Season
After winning promotion to the National League in the 2022/23 season, Kidderminster Harriers were relegated back to the sixth tier of English football along with Boreham Wood, Dorking Wanderers and Oxford City, after finishing 22nd in the most recent campaign.
The Harriers will take the positives from a tough year and aim to bounce right back to the National League this season.
Helping to record the fifth best defensive record in the 2023/24 campaign, players such as Christian Dibble will be crucial to ensure a promotion push in the forthcoming campaign.
Manager Brown entered the fray during the season following the departure of previous boss Russell Penn and while their form did change for the better, the fell short of safety by seven points.
Opposition focus | Summer Business
Preparing for the National League North season, Kidderminster have been bolstering their squad this summer.
The signing of midfielder Luke Summerfield from 2024 National League Play-Off side Halifax Town adds a large degree of experience to Brown's side. He also won the FA Trophy during his time with the Shaymen. Summerfield has signed a one-year deal with the Harriers and boasts over 600 appearances, including stints at Championship and League One level.
Kidderminster have also acquired the services of young Swansea City winger Maliq Cogan on loan until January. Cogan was awarded a professional contract at Crystal Palace, with whom he spent six years, before moving to the Swans last year.
Opposition focus | One to watch
Kidderminster's top scorer last season was striker Ashley Hemmings. Having been at the club since October 2019, Hemmings has reached the milestone of 50 goals for the side in all competitions, scoring nine league goals last season.
A product of the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy, Hemmings has represented the likes of Walsall, Dagenham and Redbridge and Mansfield Town. However, he has made the majority of his appearances for the Aggborough side. He will undoubtedly be an important figure for the Harriers' forthcoming campaign.