Boss Liam McDonald departs as Stourbridge say stadium issues 'worsen'

McDonald, the former Hednesford Town, Solihull Moors and Rushall Olympic boss, had been in charge for 13 months and led the Glassboys to finish of ninth in the Southern Premier Central.

Stourbridge chiefs were confident that a best league performance since 2018/19 had the club back on track - despite the severe uncertainty the club finds itself in given the state of the troubled War Memorial Ground.

At the end of March it was confirmed Stourbridge would play their final fixture at their Amblecote home in its current guide given safety concerns around stands and floodlights, which would need removing. 

The following month, the Glassboys confirm that following talks with the Southern League and the Football Association they had been given special dispensation to continue at the War Memorial Ground next season to give time to work on the stadium.

But the club now say they could have half the stadium shut down. They have been 'desperately' bidding for support from the FA and local authority, but no definite decisions have led to McDonald's departure.

A club statement read: "Sadly we did not envisage that the issues at the ground would become worse and we are now faced with having half the ground shutdown.

"Since we have found ourselves in this position we have been trying desperately to get support from the FA and the council and whilst we are still in discussions with both respective parties, we don’t have any concrete answers that allows us to resolve our issues.

"We would like to wish Liam and all his team all the very best for the near and distant future and thank them all for their support and effort over the last thirteen months.

"They have all shown true professionalism, dedication and integrity during some extremely testing times."

Kidderminster Harriers, meanwhile, have continued their recruitment drive under new boss Adam Murray with the addition of creative midfielder Jack Clarke.

Clarke, 26, joins the National League North Harriers on a free transfer from Eastbourne Borough, where he played under Murray. The former Villa youngster previously helped Chesterfield to consecutive National League play-off campaigns.

Murray said: “After coming back from an early injury last season Jack had an amazing second part of the season which led to a lot of admiration from other clubs."

Relegated Rushall Olympic, who have appealed their placement in the Northern Premier after National North relegation, have bolstered their squad with two new faces.

New boss Ian Long has been reunited with goalkeeper Dan Jezeph, 27, who arrives from Kettering having worked with the manager at Alvechurch, and 20-year-old midfielder Jack Fletcher, who played for Long at Walsall Wood.