Welcome to the Society that came from a feeling that true fans needed an independent organisation.
Formed in 2003, KHIST is an Independent Supporters Trust run by Harriers fans and is affiliated to the Football Supporters Association (now incorporating Supporters Direct).
The Trust aims to establish a link between the club’s board and the Supporters and enable two-way communication, all stemming from a need to feel that we are doing something positive to support the Club. KHIST also aims to strengthen the bonds between the Club and the community it serves and to represent the views of the local community and supporters in the running of the club.
All Harriers supporters are encouraged to join KHIST as the bigger the membership, the louder the voice!
KHIST has run a number of fundraising initiatives over the years and the monies raised have reaped rewards for the football club and supporters alike.
When KHFC ran into serious financial difficulties in November 2010 the Trust was instrumental in leading the successful campaign to save the club from potential liquidation. It’s generally recognised that, without the Trust’s involvement, it’s most unlikely that the club would have survived.
Following that campaign, the Trust stepped up its fundraising efforts and launched the KHIST 2020 Lottery which raised over £2000 every month. and, before its enforced closure in 2018, a sum in excess of £250,000 had been raised for the football club.
KHIST has since had occasion to donate funds to the club to help avoid the most serious financial situations, including potential administrations.
In March 2011 KHIST achieved one of its major objectives when Karl Davies was appointed to the board of Kidderminster Harriers as the Trust’s first representative. Since then the Trust has been represented by John Davies, Geoff Coles and Dave Williams. Unfortunately, our board representation was terminated in early 2017 when a new major shareholder/Chairman excluded fans’ representation amongst other extensive changes to his team.
Additional activities over the years have included:
– The funding of advertising boards
– Features in KHFC match programmes and sponsoring of the centre page.
– The KHIST Player of the month award.
– Provision of volunteers to help the club with small projects
– Provision of away travel to selected matches.
– Arranging of fan-managed football matches against supporters of Harriers’ opponents.
– Harriers Trust FC was founded in 2003 and, playing Sunday football, quickly achieved back-to-back promotions into the Kidderminster & District Premier League! The club, by then operating independently of the Trust, folded at the end of the 2018/19 season, after 2 years of tremendous success including back-to-back K&D League titles and winning several knock-out cups.
From early 2017 until the Autumn of 2019, the poor relationship between the club’s major shareholder/Chairman and the Trust made it extremely difficult for KHIST to continue its activities without outside assistance .However, with the valued help of Kidderminster Harriers Social & Supporters Club (another independent organisation), which provided us with a base and facilities (including the use of a very large function room), we have been able to survive and prosper, The club’s ownership has now changed.
In the meantime, we’ve introduced the KHIST Members’ Draw offering cash prizes each month whilst enabling our members to help us raise vital funds. Early signs are that this is a successful initiative with growing support and all Trust members are invited to participate.
