Harrogate Town set for Yorkshire derby against Bradford City

Harrogate Town are set for a crunch Yorkshire derby today as they take on Bradford City.

The Bantams will travel to the EnviroVent Stadium for the 1pm kick-off off the back of three straight defeats.

Meanwhile, Town will be hoping to kick into form with eight games left as they sit six points off the play-off places .

Harrogate manager Simon Weaver said the club had sold “a lot of tickets” for the fixture and was expecting one of its record attendances.

He said:

“It’s an early kick-off and that is different in itself.

“We have always had good games between the two teams and we’re very much looking forward to this as much as the previous ones.”

He added:

“We need to get this last batch of games off to a positive start and there’s no better game to do that in than against Bradford.”

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The two sides are separated by a single point in the EFL League Two table.

However, Bradford go into the game off the back of three home defeats in a row after a six-game unbeaten run.

Graham Alexander, who took over from Mark Hughes as City manager in November, will be hoping to turn the club’s form around in time to mount a late play-off push.

Town will still be without Lewis Thomas, Sam Folarin and Liam Gibson for the fixture.

Harrogate Town take on Accrington Stanley in Boxing Day clash

Harrogate Town are set for a Boxing Day clash with Accrington Stanley.

Town go into the game hoping for three points in their pursuit to solidify their place in EFL League Two.

The game represents the first of a busy Christmas schedule for Harrogate, with Tranmere Rovers visiting the EnviroVent Stadium on Friday and a trip to Morecambe on New Year’s Day.

Harrogate will be hoping to make it three wins from three after beating Grimsby Town 2-1 at Blundell Park on Saturday.

Goals from Liam Gibson and Abraham Odoh sealed three points for Town which leaves them 14th in League Two.

Following the match, Simon Weaver, Town manager, said the win had given the team confidence going into the Boxing Day fixture.

He said:

“There’s a lot to look forward to.

“We’ve said lets make it three wins on the bounce. We’re back at home and it’s hard opposition again.

“But this has given us another level of confidence against a team that have been unbeaten in seven and we’ve won the game. It’s good for team spirit.”

Meanwhile, play-off chasing Accrington Stanley go into the game off the back of a 2-1 win at home to Walsall on Saturday.

Stanley sit eighth in the table, one point off the play-off places.

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Barbie and Spiderman to attend this weekend’s Harrogate Town match

Harrogate Town’s first home league match this weekend will be attended by Barbie, Spiderman and Mario.

The club is celebrating the launch of its junior membership scheme and the ongoing school holidays.

Under-12s can attend from £6, and under-fives are free with a paying adult.

As part of this, the likes of Barbie, Mario, Spiderman and Sonic will be meeting young fans shortly before Saturday’s kick-off against Forest Green Rovers,

The club said in a statement:

“Having just been granted silver award in the EFL family excellence scheme, this is the latest offering from the club looking to attract more families to the EnviroVent Stadium.”

Harrogate have made a good start to the season.

A Jack Muldoon penalty helped to seal a 1-0 away win over Doncaster Rovers in the opening league fixture last weekend.

Simon Weaver’s men then beat Carlisle United 1-0 in the Carabao Cup to earn a home fixture against Blackburn Rovers in the second round.

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Harrogate Town begin fourth football league campaign tomorrow

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.

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.”

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Harrogate Town freeze season ticket prices for upcoming campaign

Harrogate Town have frozen adult season tickets and cut prices for juniors for the 2023/24 season.

The club announced today adult tickets will remain at £349 for standing and £395 for seating.

Concessions will also be frozen at £285 for standing and £322 for seated.

Under-18s and under-12s tickets will be cut in price for the 2023/24 campaign.

Under-18 standing tickets will be priced at £132 for standing and £162 for seated, while under 12s will be priced at £99 for standing and £138 for seated.

The price represents a drop from £179 standing and £209 seated for under 18s and £129 standing and £159 seated for under 12s.

The club has also announced a family bundle option, whereby supporters can purchase multiple season tickets, such as one adult and one under-18, and save 10% off the combined cost.

Season ticket renewals for adults and concessions will remain frozen at last year’s prices. Renewals for under-18s and under-12s will be cut to the same price as new supporters.

Prices for new season tickets at Harrogate Town for 2023/24.

Prices for new season tickets at Harrogate Town for 2023/24.

The club have also confirmed that supporters will be able to pay the cost in instalments.

Current season ticket holders have until June 16 to renew before the ticket is released on general sale. New season tickets will go on sale to all supporters from Monday, May 22.

In a statement, Harrogate Town said its decision to cut junior prices was “part of our commitment to being a family club”.

It added:

“With further developments currently underway, the club remains committed to continuing to grow the crowds by increasing the number of seats to 2000, and will have more facilities to cater for a growing fan base as we prepare for our fourth season in the Football League.”

Harrogate Town secured their EFL status last month with a 3-2 win at Newport County.

It means Harrogate can prepare for a fourth campaign in EFL League Two since their historic promotion in 2020.

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