WATCH: Harrogate public give their predictions for today’s Euros final

We asked the Harrogate public for their predictions on today’s Euros final.

This is the first time in over 50 years England has made it to the Euros final and their success so far means excitement is building in Harrogate.

Shoppers in Harrogate this week predicted different outcomes; with some seeing victory for England whilst others thought Italy would take home the trophy.

Keep an eye on the Stray Ferret throughout the day for regular football coverage.

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Who do you think will come home with the trophy?

Harrogate Town manager looks up to ‘principled and honest’ Gareth Southgate

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?”

‘Gareth Southgate’s dog licked my bald head’

Everyone in Harrogate seems to have a story about meeting one of the town’s most famous residents, Gareth Southgate. Some are more bizarre than others.

As anticipation continued to build for England taking on Italy in the Euros 2020 final, the Stray Ferret asked readers if they had ever met the England manager.

He lives at Swinsty Reservoir and often makes his way into town, so lots of people commented with their anecdotes.

Darren Townend told the Stray Ferret about the time he met one of the manager’s pet dogs. Southgate has a cockapoo and a Labrador.

Mr Townend said:

“I was running around Swinsty Reservoir early one Sunday morning. It must have been around 2018.

“Partway through the run I stopped to tie up my shoelace and felt something lick my bald head.

“So I looked up and saw that it was Gareth Southgate with his dog. Gareth was apologising. I tried a nonchalant, non-fanboy ‘no problem’ and carried on.”

Jody Meadus also shared her story:

“I had broken three toes at work and hobbled across a petrol station on Ripon Road.

“Gareth Southgate stopped and held the door open for me. He is a true gentleman.”

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Sophie Issa will never live down the time she stopped her husband meeting Gareth Southgate. She said:

“We saw him and his family eating at Betty’s Harlow Carr before he was the England manager.

“I wouldn’t let my husband go up and ask for a photo. I didn’t want to intrude on him when he was with his family. A couple of weeks after he was announced as England’s manager.

“My husband has never let me forget I didn’t let him have a photo with the future England manager.”

Adam Cuthbert commented:

“I saw him walking down the steps of the footbridge at York station towards Platform 3 for London after getting off the Knaresborough train about six years ago.

“It was when he was doing a bit of punditry for ITV for the Champions League, just after he’d left the U23’s job.

“He casually walked past me and my family. I called out ‘Gareth’ but he pretended he hadn’t heard me. He must have been in a hurry for his train.

“Still a good memory. I bet he wouldn’t be able to walk so freely on his own in public now. Top bloke!”

Mark Madeley said:

“Gareth Southgate was at Crimple Squash Club with his kids at a Karate grading. He was a very easy-going and approachable guy.”

And Tommy Deux recalled:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Garath Southgate at a charity do once. He was surprisingly down to earth, and very funny.”