CHAIRMAN Mark Serrell believes Kidderminster Harriers are ready to the face the challenge of trying to improve on last season's remarkable campaign.

It's barely three months since the club missed out on the title in the Skrill Conference Premier when they finished second behind Mansfield and lost 5-2 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals to Wrexham.

During the summer there has been moves by the chairman and manager Steve Burr to ensure that success will not be a fluke in the 2013-14 campaign and they go into Saturday’s opening clash at home to Gateshead (3pm ko) in good health.

While the majority of players who excelled have been retained, the 22-strong squad has been bolstered by proven players such as Lee Fowler.

Season ticket sales look on course to surpass the 758 that were sold 12 months ago and with a wave of euphoria after Harriers' remarkable title challenge, hopes are high they can go one better and rise into the Football League, either automatically or through the play-offs.

"It is a very difficult challenge to top what we did last season," said the chairman.

"It's going to be hard because we're there to be shot at now.

"Fans will be expecting us to be there or thereabouts again but I have faith in Steve and Gary Whild who have been very shrewd with their business dealings in the summer."

The Carpetmen are tipped to provide a concerted challenge and online bookmakers Ladbrooke's has them 6/1 third favourite to win the league and 3/1 to earn promotion.

But they won't have it their own way with Luton, Forest Green Rovers, Wrexham, Cambridge and Chester all heavily fancied to pose a threat.

Harriers are also hoping average attendances continue to rise. Last season they averaged nearly 2,400 at fortress Aggborough, although that figure was bolstered by sell-out crowds against Stockport and Wrexham at the end of last season.

With the budget bolstered by bumper gate receipts from those games and still some money in the bank from the sale of Jamille Matt to Fleetwood for £300,000 the club’s finances are healthy.

Serrell said: "We've probably got a bigger playing budget than last season but we still haven't got one in the top five or six.

"I think we're in a group of five or six teams just behind the top five.

"We've spent money but we haven't gone bananas, Forest Green and Luton are probably way out in front, while Cambridge will be there or thereabouts."

Serrell also defended his decision to bring in former Macclesfield chief executive John Harris as general manager during the summer.

Harris, who also worked at Wrexham and Shrewsbury, will make sure of the smooth day-to-day running of the club while the chairman splits his time between Harriers, his Plumbing World business and his family in their home in Turkey.

"John is a decent guy who I believe can add benefit to the club," commented the chairman.

"It was always been my plan to spend some time away and it is non-negotiable as far as my family is concerned.

"If people think that is the wrong thing to do I am happy to step down at any point.

"But we felt John was a good person to bridge the gap.

“He talks to me on a regular basis and I work daily on issues for the club. The only difference is I am seven hours away not seven minutes."