Harrogate Town fans are optimistic of their side’s chances of avoiding relegation as the club enters a fourth campaign in the English Football League.
Town take on Doncaster Rovers away from home tomorrow in a tantalising Yorkshire derby to open the season.
The club has bolstered its first team with the likes of striker Abraham Odoh from Rochdale and winger James Daly among the summer recruits.
Phil Deighton, a long time season ticket holder at Wetherby Road, said Harrogate should be in a position to avoid the drop again this season.
He added that the additions to the squad during the summer transfer window, in particular Odoh, had pleased him.
Mr Deighton said:
“I am a season ticket holder and have been watching Town for a a long time. Just watching league football is brilliant for me as most of my time watching it has been non-league.
“The preparations for the new season look good, it is nice to see a couple of players that were on loan re-sign permanently and I was pleased that Mr Weaver added in the striking department – I looking forward to seeing Abraham Odoh, he looks a skilful player.
“Overall, I think the pre-season has gone well, just a shame none of the game have been at home, and I think we will do slightly better in the league this season and not have the worry of relegation.”
‘Strongest squad in 14 years’
Town will head into the new season with an away trip to the Eco-Power Stadium to face Doncaster.
Manager Simon Weaver said the squad was the strongest he had in his time at the club.
He said:
“I think it is quite honestly the strongest squad I’ve had at the club in 14 years.
“I’m proud of the efforts of the players in pre-season. The new lads have settled in well, they have integrated into the changing room really easily which is great. The vibe is strong.”
Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town manager.
Weaver also has a fully fit squad going into the new season, with the exception of long term absentee Stephen Dooley who is on the sidelines with an injury.
Ahead of the clash with Doncaster, Weaver said there was massive appetite for the derby but warned that it was “no more important” than any other match.
He said:
“Everybody builds up the first game of the season and that’s because there is massive appetite for it.
“But it’s no more important or no less important than any other game in a 50 game season. We have to stick to what we’re good at and be organised, hard working and have loads of energy and be an exciting team to watch.
“But at the same time, not put too much pressure on because there’s so many games this season and so many points to play for.”
Read more:
Harrogate Town set for Christmas cracker against Bradford
Harrogate Town will travel to Bradford for a Christmas Yorkshire derby.
Today’s fixture list revealed that Town will start with a home match against Swindon Town on August 30.
They will also end the season with a home game, against Rochdale on May 6.
But most Harrogate fans will have looked first for the matches against Yorkshire rivals Bradford City, against whom Town did the double last season.
Valley Parade holds up to 25,000 fans.
Simon Weaver’s men will entertain the Bantams on October 1. The return fixture will take place at Valley Parade on December 29, when a bumper festive crowd is likely.
The two teams played twice in 16 days last season. After defeating Bradford 2-0 at the EnviroVent Stadium, Harrogate then came from behind to win 3-1 in a thrilling encounter in Bradford.
Former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes was named as Bradford’s new manager shortly after that game.
Read more:
- ‘Allez Allez Allez!’ Harrogate Town fans savour special Bradford trip
- Fans hopeful new Harrogate Town ticketing system will boost crowds
The only other Yorkshire team in League Two of the English Football League is relegated Doncaster Rovers.
Town will travel to the Eco-Power Stadium on December 17 then Doncaster will come to Harrogate on April 15.
The dates of fixtures are liable to change.
It’s goodbye Doncaster for Harrogate TownHarrogate Town have played their final ‘home’ fixture at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium.
Following promotion from the National League, Town were forced by the English Football League to remove its artificial 3G surface at Wetherby Road and replace it with grass.
This meant the team has been playing its home fixtures at Doncaster, 46 miles from Harrogate.
Harrogate Town chairman Irving Weaver’s housing company, Strata Homes, is also based in the South Yorkshire town.
The team signed off from the Keepmoat with an impressive 3-1 win against Leicester City’s under-23 side on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy.
Work on Town’s new pitch at the club’s EnviroVent Stadium is now nearly complete.
Playing at the Keepmoat seemed to be popular with Town’s players, with veteran striker Jon Stead tweeting yesterday:
“What a venue, unreal hospitality, and fantastic ground staff. Thank you Donny.”
Read more:
Town’s next fixture will be a hotly anticipated local derby against Bradford City at Valley Parade on Monday night. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Simon Weaver’s men will play at Wetherby Road for the first time since July on October 17 when they face last season’s National League champions Barrow.
Meanwhile, a petition has now been signed by over 180,000 people urging the government to allow fans to safely return to football stadiums, amid reports that several EFL clubs face a precarious financial situation.
Initially in the summer, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said fans would be able to return to grounds from October 1. But rising coronavirus infection rates put this plan on hold indefinitely.