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Jul 2021

Last Updated: 10/07/2021

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Harrogate Town manager looks up to 'principled and honest' Gareth Southgate

by Thomas Barrett

| 10 Jul, 2021

Simon Weaver told the Stray Ferret he first met at the England manager, who lives locally, at a gym and they have built up a friendship. He said Harrogate should "cherish and be proud" of Southgate and added that he tries to run Harrogate Town with similar values.

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver has paid tribute to Gareth Southgate, who he said has paved the way for football managers to be "principled and honest".

Weaver told the Stray Ferret that he first met at the England manager, who lives locally, at a gym and they have built up a friendship over the years.

Ahead of the National League play-off final at Wembley last summer, Weaver invited Southgate to give the Town players a motivational team-talk before the biggest game in their history.

Weaver said:

"His emotional intelligence is second to none.

"He's obviously an outstanding communicator. His values show great honesty."

The Town boss said that during his own playing career, managers wouldn't always explain why he was left out of a game, which led to a loss of respect.

In a team full of superstars, he said it is a credit to Southgate's man-management skills that the players are all firmly behind him, no matter who is chosen for the final 11.

He said:

"There's no dissent in the squad. The buy-in from his players is second to none."

But he said it's a mistake to label Southgate as "just a nice guy".

"He's not controversial but has a steely edge."

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Weaver said Harrogate should "cherish and be proud" of Southgate, and said that he tries to run Harrogate Town with similar values.

Weaver added:

"He's the perfect fit for an England manager, no job is too small. I look up to him and I can't help but admire him.

"He's paved the way to be principled and not have a big front."

He also has an amusing anecdote. A couple of years ago, Weaver bumped into Southgate in a clothes shop in Harrogate and they had a long chat. Afterwards, the shop owner nudged the Town boss, not knowing who he was, and asked:

"Was that really Gareth Southgate?"

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Harrogate Town manager looks up to 'principled and honest' Gareth Southgate

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