Fans hopeful new Harrogate Town ticketing system will boost crowds

Harrogate Town fans are optimistic that a new deal with US ticketing giant Ticketmaster will solve some of last season’s problems at the turnstiles.

The club announced this week that Ticketmaster will become its official ticketing partner on a ‘long-term contract’ with immediate effect.

Last season, well-documented problems with the club’s ticketing system soured the matchday experience on occasions and left some fans unable to attend a home match against Stevenage in September.

Throughout the season, fans were unable to buy tickets at the ground after 11am on matchday and tickets were only available online until midnight the night before a game.

It meant the club’s shop on Commercial Street was the only place to pick up a ticket close to kick off.

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Jordan Ford, Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Group, called the previous system “not fit for purpose” and had put fans off going to games.

He said:

“An improvement in the ticketing system will be welcomed by all supporters. It was apparent that what was in place wasn’t fit for purpose, and no doubt impacted on the number of fans coming to the ground. It’s good to see the club recognising areas of improvement, and this is definitely a positive move for both the club and its fans.”

The club said details on ticket prices for next season will be announced soon.

The new ticketing system is part of a £3.5m investment by chairman Irving Weaver into the club’s EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road.

Hamilton Mattock, Harrogate Town ticket office manager, said:

“We are delighted to have come to an agreement with Ticketmaster Sport and are looking forward to improving our ticket purchasing journey for supporters. Given the problems faced over the 21/22 season, Ticketmaster will make the entire ticketing process much smoother for both staff and supporters with their support and range of solutions. The platform will continue to develop and meet the needs of our fans as we continue with our ambition of growing the crowd.”

Harrogate Town to spend £3.5m improving ground

Harrogate Town‘s EnviroVent Stadium is to undergo a £3.5m upgrade, which will include a new seated stand, match day bar and improved ticketing facilities.

Chairman Irving Weaver is footing the bill, which the club said in a statement will help the board’s ambition of creating a “sustainable and thriving club, for future generations to enjoy”.

The new stand will increase the ground’s capacity above the current limit of 5,000 fans. It will replace the Myrings Terrace and will be able to hold 2,000 fans.

A new bar will please fans, who have been unable to get a drink at games since they were promoted to the English Football League in 2020. This is because away fans are now segregated in the Myrings Terrace, which includes the 1919 bar.

Also planned is an extension of the corporate hospitality area, with more space for diners.

Home since 1920

The ground on Wetherby Road has been home to the Sulphurites since 1920, but in recent years it has struggled to keep pace with the club’s rapid rise up the divisions into the English Football League.

Fans were banned from a pre-season friendly against Sunderland last summer after North Yorkshire County Council found 17 “unacceptable risks” at the ground, which were related to fan safety.

Problems with the ticketing system also left some fans unable to attend a home match against Stevenage in September.

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Chief executive Sarah Barry said the club had listened to feedback from fans, which has helped to shape how the money will be spent.

She added that she hopes the investment, which will include an improved ticketing system, will improve the matchday experience.

Ms Barry said:

“This is a really exciting time for our club.  It’s now two years since we were promoted to the EFL for the first time in our history. As we come out of the pandemic and get back to regular fixtures and crowds, the time is right for us to invest in our future.

“Our proposals stem from listening to feedback from fans in a number of areas.  Easier ticketing, better flow through turnstiles and an improved refreshments offering are some of the suggestions that have been made and have been taken on board.

“We want to enhance the match day experience for our loyal and dedicated supporters who make this club.  We’ve seen bigger crowds, welcomed more young families and teenagers to the EnviroVent Stadium lately and we want to sustain and grow this, retaining and attracting our committed supporters of the future.”

St Aidan’s new 3G pitch set to be open until 8pm

St Aidan’s Church of England High School’s new floodlit artificial sports pitch is set to open from 6pm to 8pm for community clubs to use.

The school has launched a consultation on when the FIFA-approved pitch can be hired, as well as the type of floodlights that will be built.

Last January councillors gave the school permission to build the pitch, despite the council’s own report recommending refusal.

Some nearby residents had complained that the 15-metre high floodlights would cause light pollution to their homes and the Stray.

However, the application attracted a huge amount of support from Harrogate residents, with some hailing “people power” for helping to influence councillors’ decisions.

Hours of use

The consultation document proposes the pitch will be available from 6pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday.

On Saturdays, it would be available for hire from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 2pm.

During school holidays, the pitch would be available to be booked from 9am to 4pm.

It says prices will be similar to other council-run facilities in the Harrogate area.

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The school will employ its own staff to manage and operate the facility and a committee will review its hours of use every year.

There has been a lack of 3G pitches available in Harrogate since Harrogate Town were forced to remove theirs following promotion to the English Football League two years ago.

Harrogate Town’s longest-serving player to retire

Harrogate Town‘s longest-serving player, Lloyd Kerry, will retire at the end of the season and join the club’s staff.

The hard-working midfielder, 33, signed from Tamworth in 2014 and has been a key cog in the team’s rise up the divisions and into the English Football League for the first time.

He’s played over 220 times and helped the club win promotion from the National League North and the National League, starting in the memorable Wembley play-off final against Notts County in August 2020.

He lifted a trophy at Wembley again last year in the FA Trophy and manager Simon Weaver said in a statement he will go down as a “club legend” for his achievements and service.

Kerry’s last game will be on the final day of the season when Harrogate Town host Sutton United on May 7.

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He will take up a new role at the club as head of player recruitment, scouting players for the first team and the academy.

Kerry said:

“I look back to when I first joined this football club in 2014 to where it is now eight years on and it’s unbelievable how far we’ve come and the success we’ve had! I’m grateful to have been on that journey which has created so much history for this club, I can always look back with pride of what we achieved together.

“We’ve made memories that will last us a lifetime and to have played my part is something I’ll never forget.”

Chairman, Irving Weaver also paid tribute to the midfielder. He said:

“Together we have enjoyed some great moments, particularly promotions and winning the FA Trophy. Lloyd moves on to a new roll with the club, now responsible for scouting and recruiting new players and he’s already beginning to make his mark, just like he has in 220+ games for Town.”

Pannal Ash juniors take home the cup

Pannal Ash Whites U14’s won the Leeds and District Cup on Sunday.

The team won the trophy after a hard-fought 3-0 victory over Wortley at Whitkirk FC.

After a good start, the team survived an early scare when Wortley hit the crossbar.

Two goals from Henry Collings saw the Whites take a 2-0 lead at half-time.

The win was capped off with a long-range effort from Jamie Stokoe.

Head coach Dave Holdsworth said.

“We’re delighted that a great set of boys who support and work so well together have their reward. This trophy is hard-earned and reflects what can be achieved with effort, practice and respect for others in the game. Brilliant achievement! Well done to all the lads!”

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Next up for the U14’s is the County Cup final on 24th April against Yorkshire Amateurs.

Pannal Ash Whites U14 squad are: Toby Sharkey, Otis Baker, Sam Caine, Charlie Dunsmore, James Meehan, Aaron Brompton, Sam Grass, Charlie Moss, Oliver Holdsworth, Lewis Jalal, Kuba Balcerzak, Henry McQuade, Henry Collings, Jamie Stokoe

Whilst the under 14s picked up the trophy, the club’s under 11’s team lost 6-1 in their final Leeds and District Cup final against Hunslet Club, which was also played on Sunday.