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Aug 2024
Harrogate Town set to kick-off fifth season in English Football League
Harrogate Town are set to kick off their fifth season in the English Football League today.
Town welcome newly promoted Bromley to the Exercise Stadium to open the 2024/25 campaign.
Harrogate go into the fixture after a tough pre-season against higher league opposition such as Leeds United, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough.
Meanwhile, Bromley enter EFL League Two for the first time in the club’s history after a historic promotion last season.
Simon Weaver, Town manager, said he was expecting a tough opening match against the newly promoted side.
He said:
We have to stifle them and what they are about, which will not be easy. We have watched quite a lot of their coverage and they are a forceful team. They are a well managed team and play at a good tempo and press aggressively.
We have to show good composure and play when we can, but take into account what they are about too.
Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town manager. Picture: Harrogate Town.
Going into the game, Harrogate will be bolstered by new signings Ellis Taylor and Stephen Duke-McKenna. But fellow new recruit, Zico Asare, faces a late fitness test.
Weaver said he told the squad on Thursday the starting 11 for the match and that the players had been told to “enjoy the moment”.
He said:
Everybody is excited. They have got to go and enjoy the moment. Nothing is won or lost in the first few weeks of the season.
Sky Sports
Town’s opening game at Wetherby Road will be featured live on television as part of a new service launched by Sky.
The broadcaster will launch Sky Sports+ this weekend, which will see each of the 72 EFL clubs televised at least 24 times this season.
Harrogate’s game against Bromley will be broadcast on the service today. The club’s matches against Morecambe and Tranmere Rovers have also been picked for television.
Weaver said he welcomed the new broadcasting arrangement and added that he hoped it would raise the profile of Harrogate and other League Two sides.
He said:
It builds the anticipation for the league and the profile of League Two. There will be a realisation of a lot of supporters who watch TV that the level is very good now, the pitches are good and the grounds are great. The level of performance has gone through the roof in recent times.
Town follow up today's opening fixture with two away matches. They travel to Lincoln City on Tuesday for a League Cup match and then play Accrington Stanley in the league next weekend.
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