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Sept
Harrogate Town appoints new managing director as Sarah Barry departs
Karen Tyson has been appointed managing director of Harrogate Town following the departure of chief executive Sarah Barry.
The move comes amid takeover speculation after first team manager Simon Weaver set up a new company with former professional poker player Jonathan Blezard.
Ms Tyson spent 18 years at Rudding Park in Harrogate and was more recently chief commercial officer at York RLFC
Chairman Irving Weaver said: Ms Tyson “brings a wealth of experience” tp the club.
He added:
“Karen joins us at an exciting time for the football club and I know she will bring enormous energy and experience to the role.”
Ms Tyson said:
To be back in Harrogate and have the opportunity to play a part at the heart of the club is something I am very excited about and is absolutely the right next step for me.
Harrogate Town is a club with real ambition and potential, both on and off the pitch. There is a lot to build on, and I am really looking forward to getting started, meeting as many people as possible and working together to make the connection between the club, our supporters and the wider community even stronger.
Sarah Barry
Sarah Barry leaves
Today’s club statement announcing the news said Ms Barry’s departure ended “five successful years” that had seen “significant progress off the pitch”.
It added the club set a record average home attendance last season, exceeding 3,000 for the first time,.
Ms Barry said:
The last five years have been incredible. There is too much to list, but I’m immensely proud of how far we have come in that time.
I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude to Irving, Dorothy and Simon Weaver. Firstly, for giving me the opportunity and for their kindness and support to me personally.
And more importantly, for everything they have done and accomplished for this football club in the last 17 years. What Harrogate Town has achieved is simply extraordinary and it would not have been possible to get anywhere close without their time, ambition and relentless commitment year in, year out. They deserve so much recognition for their invaluable contribution.
Ms Barry remains a trustee of Harrogate Town Community Foundation.
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