Fans react after newly promoted Kidderminster Harriers announce Paul Wotton as their new manager following Adam Murray’s departure.
Just days after winning promotion to the National League via the National League North playoffs, Murray left the club following an approach from another club, which was Barrow, who have been relegated from League Two.
In comes Paul Wotton, who was most recently in charge of Torquay United, sacked on March 1st after the Gulls had gone winless in five, and dropped from 1st with a 3 point lead, to 4th and 10 points behind the then leaders Dorking.
✍️Harriers are delighted to confirm the appointment of Paul Wotton as first team manager.
Paul arrives at Aggborough with more than a decade of coaching and managerial experience gained with Plymouth Argyle, Truro City and Torquay United.#Harriers 🦅 pic.twitter.com/ruC7YKd1gS
— Kidderminster Harriers (P) 🦅 (@khfcofficial) May 26, 2026
The club said via social media: Harriers are delighted to confirm the appointment of Paul Wotton as first team manager.
Paul arrives at Aggborough with more than a decade of coaching and managerial experience gained with Plymouth Argyle, Truro City and Torquay United.
Dean Holdsworth, Director of Football, said: “From our first conversation with myself and the Chairman, Paul stood out as exactly the type of leader we wanted for this football club. 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.”
An interview with our new manager will follow later this week.
Also departing is much loved keeper Christian Dibble. He said on Instagram: “I honestly don’t know where to start with this one, but after an amazing few years, the time has come for me to move on from @khfcofficial.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my footballing career, but I feel like it’s the right one for me and my family.
“I just want to thank everyone at the club — the players, staff and fans — for an unbelievable 3+ years. There’s been loads of ups and downs along the way, but I’ve loved every minute of it.
“To play over 150 games for this club and finish with another promotion, sending @khfcofficial back to where they belong in the National League, makes me incredibly proud.
“The memories and friendships I’ve made at the club stay with me forever.
“It’s been a blast ❤️”
Fans react after Kidderminster announce their new manager following Adam Murray’s departure…
@BellaMelia52062: Many people havent heard of him and being sacked from his last managerial position, but the owners see something in him so let’s all get behind him and push the harriers up! Let’s hope we keep some players since Dibbles leaving
@jamiemac198: Very interesting appointment, not seen his name mentioned anywhere. No national league experience is a slight concern, but need to give him a chance and not write him off too quickly like AM was by many, including myself
@MaxCochran11: Go smash it Paul🫡🫡
@paulvmtufc: Good appointment for you. A heart on sleeve manager who will work his ass off and get his players doing the same. You won’t lose easily under Paul. A proper football man. Best of luck to him.
@TheKauto: One of my childhood hero’s. Go well Wotz. Smash it like a free kick of yours
@ItsBen1988: Not going to lie, slightly underwhelmed. Never manged at the level and hardly set the NLS alight, but as others have said we’ve got to back him, his job will be tough as it is.
@YesPie_: Welcome Paul lots of work to do now
@Ben_KHFC_Perks: ANNOUNCE CAL MAC
@TomLong78: Welcome Paul – congratulations and good luck! 👏🏻🎉
@mattskhfc: Stinks of us being rejected by others but we need to get behind him as he’s a v tough job on his hands. Rather this than Cal Mac
@Syntaxjb: underwhelming signing, assume low budget option but do us proud Paul, keep us up and im a happy man
@Syntaxjb: interesting… #khfc @khfcofficial. dont know how to feel about everything coming out at once, wish nothing but the best to dibble but sad to see him go thought he could be in the sticks for another season at the least
@OffTheLineBlog: Delighted for Paul. Re-built a team from scratch with us, got us 2nd on GD in his first year and left us in the play-offs in his second. He will work his absolute nuts off for #KHFC. A man of class and integrity. A strong coach and good recruiter. Go well, Wotts! 👊
@john_nufc42: #TUFC Surprise appointment this but don’t expect attacking football #Harriers I’m sorry to say this think @TUFC1899 will back me on this one
@allthingskiddy: Well we had an update. But not the one we wanted
@dancartwright87: What an underwhelming appointment.
Peter Kitchen: Welcome to the club Paul and best of luck! Seems to know how to build a squad and hopefully we’ll be playing some decent football too. I remember him as the hard-working epitome of Plymouth Argyle sides in the late 90s and early 2000s, hopefully he’s similarly inspiring here. The hard work starts now!
Matty Williams: Never heard of him but got to give the guy a chance no good getting on his back already.. see what pre season brings
Luke Webster: Can’t say I’m overwhelmed but will give him a chance
Ian Thatcher: That’s slightly underwhelming to say the least. Sacked from a team with the biggest budget in national league south last season. And we’ve lost dibble on the same day. Awful
Gary Searl: Bit of a legend down here in Plymouth. Good appointment. COYR
Malcolm Howles: Welcome aboard hope u sign a nother great goal keeper to replace dibble up the kiddy
Bit of info on Paul Wottons style of play
At Torquay pre season he lined up in a 3-5-2 worked for a little bit and as soon as it stopped working looked at different options then played 4-2-3-1
See Dom Roman’s post on TorquayTalk for morehttps://t.co/L1jeCCSg99#khfc
— jtb (@Syntaxjb) May 26, 2026
