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Sept 2020

Last Updated: 23/09/2020

Harrogate

Harrogate Town prepare for another trip to Wembley

by Calvin Robinson

| 23 Sept, 2020

Harrogate Town have booked another trip to Wembley after defeating Notts County in the FA Trophy semi-final. A date for the final has yet to be confirmed.

Harrogate Town prepare for another trip to Wembley in the FA Trophy Final. Photo Credit: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town

Harrogate Town are preparing for a second trip to Wembley after reaching the FA Trophy Final.

Town clinched a place in the final after beating Notts County 1-0 at Meadow Lane last night.

Will Smith got the only goal of the game to defeat County as both sides met again just over a month since the National League Play-Off Final, which Harrogate also won.

Town will now play Concord Rangers at Wembley in the final, though a date is yet to be confirmed.

Harrogate Town’s ground renamed ‘EnviroVent Stadium’

Harrogate Town sign defender Dan Jones and keeper Melvin Minter

The victory followed an announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a phased return of fans in October would be paused.

https://twitter.com/HarrogateTown/status/1308524021529620480?s=20

The FA had planned to hold both the FA Trophy and FA Vase Finals with up to 1,000 fans in attendance on September 27, but postponed the games earlier this month amid a rise in coronavirus cases.

Town boss, Simon Weaver, said he hoped to see supporters back in stadiums when they play in the final.

“We have had some difficult games along the way, but it was so important tonight that we did it for the supporters.

“Hopefully when it is Wembley time they will be allowed back in the stadiums.

“We said in the team talk ‘do it for the supporters tonight’.”

Meanwhile, Irving Weaver, chairman of Harrogate Town, said yesterday that clubs would reach a “cliff edge scenario” if a return of fans is delayed further.

He said:

“From mid-March through a normal close season we were helped by furloughing our employees. Now back into full swing anticipating fans returning, the black hole is upon us. Around thirty percent of a club’s total income is derived through the turnstiles. Without a subsidy the pain will be severe.

“I know that the government are well aware of the situation. Let us hope that there is help on the way, not just for football but for spectator sport in general.”

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Harrogate Town prepare for another trip to Wembley

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