THE news that Steve Burr committed himself to Kidderminster Harriers was the perfect way to end a difficult period.

Burr has done a brilliant job turning the Aggborough outfit into title chasers in the Skrill Premier over the last four years.

It’s unsurprising that wealthy league rivals such as Forest Green Rovers were interested in capturing a man who is regarded as one of the best bosses in non-league.

It’s also flattering for Harriers, who know they have one of the most coveted managers around at the helm.

This isn’t the first time a club has tried to capture Burr, Grimsby tried it in 2011, but his commitment to the Carpetmen only reinforces his position at the club.

Harriers can now focus on Saturday’s FA Cup first round clash against Sutton and their push for promotion to the Football League without distraction.

Fans were also breathing a sigh of relief as the manager confirmed he was happy at the club.

He had spoken with the powers that be at Rovers but opted to stay with the team he has helped transform into a genuine force to be reckoned with.

The news he had been given permission to talk to Forest Green last Friday sparked wild speculation the club desperately needed the compensation which they would receive for the manager to help soothe an impending financial crisis.

But chairman Mark Serrell has stressed Harriers’ finances are in excellent shape, with attendances up by 10 per cent.

He and the board have worked hard to drag the club from the brink of the financial abyss in 2011 and they deserve credit for turning Kidderminster into a healthy going concern.

Burr’s decision to stay at Harriers despite the undoubted financial muscle at Forest Green, who reports suggest have a playing budget of £1.8 million, will have gone down well with the fans who love him.

Fans may wonder why the club gave permission to a manager who was contracted until 2016 but they would not have wanted to sour their relationship with someone they rated so highly.

Burr was perfectly in his right to hear what Rovers had to offer but in the end he made his decision based on football rather than money.

He was also asked not to attend the Barnet match by Harriers to prevent any distraction and watched Burton Albion's loss to Morecambe instead.

The whole affair seems like it was entirely avoidable and it has disrupted a season which had been going to plan.

This is the first time in four years Harriers have avoided the setbacks which have hit them in previous seasons.

There has been no financial crisis, no long term absence of key players (Jamille Matt, Danny Lewis, Jack Byrne), and no disastrous starts from which to recover.

Attendances are up and so was supporter morale. Everything in the Aggborough garden was rosy, which makes the last few days all the more perplexing.

Harriers were free to focus on the football and moved into a good position without really hitting their best form.

Instead a situation threatened to destabilise the entire season before common sense prevailed.

Hopefully, this unwelcome chapter can be quickly forgotten and Burr and the squad can get back to the job in hand, leading the club to the promised land of the Football League.