Tom Palmer
Very much part of the Aggborough furniture, Tom Palmer is an Academy graduate who has progressed to being a regular part of the first team.
A highly thought-of shot-stopper Palmer made his first-team debut in 2017 and went into the 2023-24 season with almost 50 senior Harriers appearances to his name.
Palmer was memorably part of two play-off campaigns in the same season in 2022. After a full season out on loan at Rushall Olympic ended in heartache, he was back at Aggborough in time to be part of the squad for our Eliminator defeat against Boston United.
He made 37 starts in 2023-23 as Harriers righted that wrong and sealed promotion via the end-of-season lottery.
Josh Bishop
Shot-stopper and Academy graduate Bishop continued his progress in 2022-23 by combining his studies and Academy football with regular first team action at Stourport Swifts.
He even featured against the Reds for Swifts in their successful Worcestershire Senior Cup winning campaign. He was their Young Player of the Season and kept an impressive 21 clean sheets.
Ethan Freemantle
Now in his fifth season as a professional with Harriers, Academy graduate Ethan Freemantle bagged his best goal return in 2022-23.
The bustling striker netted seven goals before Christmas to lead the line in the early part of the campaign – the player having made close to 100 appearances for the club since graduating from the Academy ranks.
Ethan is a former Walsall scholar whose time at Aggborough has seen him involved in two play-off campaigns (including last season’s promotion) and the run to the FA Cup Fourth Round in 2022.
Kai Lissimore
Academy graduate Kai Lissimore was thrust in to the deep end in 2022-23, with a start in the Boxing Day derby win at Hereford.
He performed solidly that day and ended 2022-23 with 22 appearances to his name, crucial first-team experience for the technically sound, robust midfield teenager.
Kai came through the Aggborough ranks and has also enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with Bromsgrove Sporting.
Samson Hewett
Hewett has been with the club since his early teens, featuring in FA Youth Cup campaigns as well as being named in four first-team squads in the 2022-23 season, as well as being Academy Player of the Season.
Samson gets forward well with a good energy, talents that saw him progress to the final stages of that season’s England Colleges FA action.
Kobe Hall
Harriers Academy forward Kobe Hall broke into the first team picture during his first season within Harriers' U19s programme during 2022/23.
Hall made his first team debut aged 16 years and 135 days in January 2023 against Leamington, making himself the youngest ever Harriers player to make a competitive first team appearance on record.
Prior to joining Harriers' Junior Academy, Hall previously played in Walsall and Birmingham City's youth setups.