Simon Weaver on ‘terrific challenge’ of debut FA Cup third round tie

Harrogate Town travel to Luton Town on Sunday to play in their first-ever FA Cup third round tie.

While the draw did not reward Town with a glamour tie against a Premier League club, manager Simon Weaver said the squad is still looking forward to the challenge of facing Luton who are still a dangerous Championship outfit.

Weaver, who this week took charge of his 600th game in charge of the Sulphurites, said the occasion is a “great experience” for the players to look forward to.

He said:

“We know Sunday is going to be a terrific challenge for us. We had never played and beaten League One opposition before the last round. We managed to do that and we’ve never played against Championship opposition, so it’s a great experience to look forward to.

“It’s what we want to keep doing, breaking new ground and enjoying big moments. We go to Luton who have been on an amazing trajectory over the last few years and it’s testament to their manager and group of players.”

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200 Harrogate fans will make the trip to Luton for the game, which kicks off at 12.30pm.

Weaver said the trip will be “brilliant” for the supporters after three games were postponed due to covid over the festive period.

He added:

“I saw Chief Brody’s video of the jubilant scenes after the game (Portsmouth) and you can’t kid it, can you? It’s a natural act of joy and it was just brilliant. That’s what the FA Cup does as a domestic competition and we’re glad to still be in it and hopefully, we can enjoy Sunday.”

Harrogate Town fans dreaming of Mo Salah and Ronaldo in FA Cup draw

A fan poll has revealed Harrogate Town fans’ hopes of seeing their team line up against the likes of Mo Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo or Harry Kane in the FA Cup.

The third round is when Premier League clubs enter the historic competition ⁠— and smaller clubs like Harrogate Town can look forward to a potentially glamorous and lucrative tie.

We asked a Harrogate Town fan group on Facebook which team they hope will be picked out of the hat to face Simon Weaver’s men. The draw takes place from 7pm tonight and will be broadcast live on ITV4.

Around 50 fans responded.

Many are hoping for a draw against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United as some fans will have some split allegiances. The two neighbours used to regularly play pre-season friendlies against each other but have never faced off in a competitive fixture.

Michael Ellison said:

“Leeds away would attract many Harrogate residents who ‘support’ both or either club, especially those who are unable to obtain tickets for league games at Elland Road.”

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Several supporters said they were hoping for an away day at Tottenham Hotspur’s £1bn new stadium in London.

Paul Keys said:

“Spurs away, be great to visit that stadium and watch Connor Hall have Kane in his pocket!”

Callum Hurle was hoping Town would be rewarded with a tie against Jurgen Klopp’s star-laden Liverpool side.

“It would be a great experience going to Anfield and cheering the Town on and it would be a great reward for getting to the third round for the first time! Brilliant to see how far we have come in the last few years, we should all be proud of Harrogate.”

Darrell Gardner said:

“I’ve supported Everton since childhood so I’d love for Town to play them at Goodison. It would be a difficult game to watch, my allegiances would be torn but I’d shouting from the stands for a Town win.”

Ball numbers to look out for

64 – Harrogate Town

2 – Arsenal

21 – Leeds United

23 – Liverpool

25 – Manchester United

26 – Manchester City

40 – Tottenham Hotspur

Last gasp winner puts Harrogate Town into FA Cup Third Round

Harrogate Town beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup Second Round this afternoon thanks to a goal from Jack Diamond in the fifth minute of injury time.

It means the Sulphurites will play in the Third Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, and could look forward to a mouthwatering tie against the likes of Leeds United, Liverpool or Manchester City.

122 Town fans made the long trip to the south coast today to watch Town take on Pompey, who are two-time FA Cup winners and were big favourites to advance.

Luke Armstrong’s goal was cancelled out by Portsmouth’s Ellis Harrison in the first half and it looked like the game was heading for a replay at the EnviroVent Stadium.

But it was on-loan winger Jack Diamond who once again wrote his name into Town’s history books when he tucked away the winner to send the travelling Town fans into raptures.

The Third Round draw will take place at 7pm on Monday on ITV4.

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Harrogate Town bid for FA Cup glory tomorrow

Harrogate Town are one win away from a potential FA Cup match against a Premier League team.

Town travel to Portsmouth tomorrow to play in the second round of the cup.

The Sulphurites have never reached the third round of the FA Cup, which is when the Premier League and Championship sides enter the competition.

So if Simon Weaver’s men pull off an upset at Fratton Park they can start dreaming of a cup game against the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Leeds United.

They face a monumental task: Portsmouth are two-time winners of the cup, having lifted it in 1939 and then again in 2008 under manager Harry Redknapp. They have home advantage and are in good form on the fringes of the play-offs in Division One, which is one division higher than Harrogate.

The match is a reversal of the first round tie from the 2019, when Pompey won 2-1 after Mark Beck had given Town an early lead.

Weaver said:

“It’s a great challenge that’s for sure. Portsmouth are a massive club, as we know from the away support when they played against us last time in the FA Cup, but we go to Fratton Park, which is a great ground to visit, and they have a fantastic partisan support behind them.

“I’ve heard we’re taking a good number away from home, which is superb for us as a club and superb for the players, but it’s a big test again and one that we’re going to relish.”

Kick-off is at 3pm and the draw for the third round takes place on Monday.

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Rumours Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds could attend Harrogate Town game

Superstar actor Ryan Reynolds could swap Hollywood for the EnviroVent Stadium in Harrogate on Saturday afternoon.

The Deadpool star is one of the most famous actors in the world but in an unexpected plot twist he and fellow actor Rob McElhenney recently bought Wrexham AFC.

Wrexham have been drawn to play Harrogate Town in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend, in a match that could see some stardust sprinkled around Wetherby Road.

Reynolds, who has 39 million Instagram followers, and McElhenney both attended their first Wrexham game against Torquay on Saturday.

Rumours are now swirling that they may stick around in the UK to see their new club take on Simon Weaver’s gladiators, who will be hoping to put on an Oscar-worthy performance and book a front-row ticket to the second round.

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Harrogate Town FA Cup tie to be broadcast on BT Sport

Harrogate Town’s FA Cup first round tie against non-league Skelmersdale United will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

The fixture against Skelmersdale, who play in the North West Counties League Premier Division, is expected to earn Town £32,500 as part of the Football Association’s live broadcast fee.

The winner of the tie will also receive £16,972 from the FA prize fund, with the losing side receiving £5,657.

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Town will host the tie at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road on Friday November 6, at 7.45pm.

Skelmersdale United reached the first round for the first time since 1971 last weekend after defeating Stafford Rangers 4-1.

The Lancashire club is also the lowest ranked side left in this year’s FA Cup.