Kidderminster Harriers have confirmed that Adam Murray is to leave his role as manager after a club currently in the EFL met the release clause in his contract shortly after the weekend's final. Murray has also made clear that he wants to pursue the vacancy at the EFL side.

The move comes only days after Harriers won promotion on Saturday, ending a season that had put the club on the edge of a new chapter. Murray had been a year into a two-year contract when the release clause was triggered.

Chairman Richard Lane said Murray had been “very open and honest” with him since the weekend, adding that the overall financial package on offer was an opportunity for the manager and his family he could not turn down. Lane said the timing was unfortunate after such a strong finish to the season, but that everyone at the club wished Murray well.

Harriers now turn quickly to the next decision, with Lane saying the club’s priority is its fans and that it will move fast to appoint a new manager. He said the aim is to lead the club into a new chapter after promotion, while making sure the achievement of this season stays fresh in the minds of supporters and sponsors who backed the side through the closing months.

The departure leaves Kidderminster facing a familiar challenge at an unfamiliar moment: replacing the manager who helped deliver promotion just as the celebration begins. For Murray, the chance to step into an EFL vacancy has arrived at the exact point when Harriers wanted to build on their success.