Harrogate Town captain Josh Falkingham signs two-year contract extension

Harrogate Town captain Josh Falkingham has signed a two-year contract extension.

The 32-year-old, who joined from Darlington in 2017, has made more than 150 appearances for the club in three separate divisions.

The deal will see Falkingham lead Town until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Falkingham said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have extended my stay for another two years. I really want to play my part in pushing the club forward in that time and together hopefully we can keep improving and pushing up the table.

“For me, it has always been about working hard and constantly trying to improve. I always push myself to give everything for this club and I will continue to do that.” 

The 32-year-old has led Town to two promotions in his five-year stint.

Famously, Falkingham captained the side to a 3-1 play-off final victory over Notts County in 2020 which saw the club promoted to the English Football League for the first time in its history.

Town manager Simon Weaver said:

“Josh has played an instrumental part in the climb the club has been on in recent years. We are delighted that he has signed this extension.

“Players, teammates, staff and supporters can all see how much this club means to him and that passion and determination is a great attribute to have in any dressing room.”

Read more:

 

Harrogate Town to open Hall of Fame

Harrogate Town are to open a Hall of Fame recognising people who have made outstanding contributions to the club in its 108-year history.

The Hall of Fame will be located in multiple locations in Harrogate: the new supporters bar at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road, the club shop on Commercial Street, the Exercise.co.uk executive lounge at the ground and the Cedar Court Hotel.

A Hall of Fame committee, chaired by supporter Bernard Higgins and consisting of supporters and club officials, has been meeting monthly since June.

The first 11 inductees were selected from an extensive list compiled by club historian Phil Harrison.

Their names will be announced between  January 23 and February 2 and an official launch event attended by chairman Irving Weaver and manager Simon Weaver at the Cedar Court Hotel on February 9.

The launch event will be held at the Cedar Court Hotel.

Following the event, details will be revealed on how supporters can help to shape the Hall of Fame and select the 12th and final inductee of the 2022/23 season.

Inaugural Hall of Fame members, along with family of those who have died, will be invited back to the EnviroVent Stadium over the course of the 2022/23 season, where their contributions to the club will be celebrated.

Each season, two more individuals will be inducted to the Hall of Fame.

Read more:

 

Harrogate Town set for Christmas Yorkshire derby at Bradford

Harrogate Town are set for a Christmas Yorkshire derby as they travel to Bradford City tonight.

Simon Weaver’s men will take on the Bantams at Valley Parade for their third meeting of the season.

Town will be hoping for a repeat of November’s FA Cup first round tie, where they knocked City out after a 1-0 victory.

However, the Bantams will be expecting to build on their 2-1 win at the EnviroVent Stadium back in October.

The two teams are having contrasting seasons with Bradford pushing for a play-off place under Mark Hughes while Town have picked up form and are looking to pull further away from the relegation zone.

Weaver is hoping that Alex Pattison will be fit for the clash after returning to training this week after recovering from illness over Christmas.

Read more:

Max Wright will also be in contention after returning to the side as a substitute for the 3-2 Boxing Day win over Grimsby Town.

However, centre-back Kyle Ferguson looks set to miss the game after picking up a knee injury in training which saw him sit out of the Grimsby match.

Despite already winning at Valley Parade in the FA Cup this season, Weaver said Town have to remain focused for the league fixture this evening.

He said:

“It is a while ago now and we have played in a different style and a different way in recent weeks that has worked.

“But we will judge it in isolation. We know that they are a strong outfit. We just want to add to the points tally at the minute and focus on each game in isolation.

“We want to be really focused and be as determined as if we had lost the last few. We have to be right up for it.”

Kick off for Bradford City vs Harrogate Town will be 7.45pm tonight.

Harrogate Town set for first game in three weeks in Boxing Day clash

Harrogate Town are set to clash with Grimsby Town today in their first fixture in three weeks.

The Boxing Day match comes as Town have had two EFL League Two games postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Harrogate will welcome the Mariners to the EnviroVent Stadium in the hope of building on their 4-1 away win at Rochdale on December 3.

The fixture will be the first of three over the Christmas period.

Ahead of today’s game, Town will be without Will Smith, Dior Angus, Stephen Dooley, Matty Daly and Lewis Richards who are out injured.

Read more:

However, Joe Mattock is set to be available after missing the victory at Rochdale.

Town will be hoping for a repeat of last season when they took six points from the Mariners in the league.

Manager Simon Weaver said it was important that the players kept their focus over the next three games.

He said:

“We have got to make sure we have got that focus and don’t it slip.

“Three back to back wins would be huge for us in our season. It would make the table look completely different from where we were three games ago.

“It’s a tough prospect is this game. I have been watching a lot of the coverage of Grimsby. They had a great FA Cup victory against Plymouth, they went to Wimbledon and were probably the better team on the day and they beat Tranmere last time out.

“We know Paul Hurst, he was the last manager I played under. I know the quality he looks for in players and he is a very good manager.”

Photo of the Week: Harrogate Ferris Wheel

This week’s photograph was taken by Nick Payne, capturing the lights and movement on the Ferris Wheel during this year’s Christmas Fraye.

 

Nick Payne

Photo of the Week celebrates the Harrogate district. It could be anything from family life to capturing the district’s beauty. We are interested in amateur and professional photographs, in a landscape format.

Send your photographs to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk for a chance to be featured next week, we reserve the right to adjust and crop images to fit into our format.

Harrogate Town set for FA Cup Yorkshire derby at Bradford

Harrogate Town are set for a crunch Yorkshire derby in the FA Cup first round today.

Town travel to Bradford City for a 12.30pm kick off as they look to get their cup campaign off to a good start.

More than 300 Harrogate fans are set to head to Valley Parade, and planned strike action on the railways this weekend has been called off.

Town manager Simon Weaver said his side have to remain focussed if they want to get through to the next round.

He said:

“We will just have to make sure we are focussed and concentrated throughout the game.

“We know that if you allow Bradford to play then they have got some good quality players and are organised by a very good manager.

“We can’t take our eye off the ball throughout the entirety of the game. We have got to make sure we are on it.”

Read more:

Town will be hoping for a repeat of last season when they managed to beat League One side Portsmouth to make it to the third round.

Harrogate beat Bradford last season on their visit to Valley Parade. But the Bantams took the bragging rights last month at the EnviroVent Stadium with a 2-1 win.

City boss Mark Hughes has said his side are also eyeing a cup run this campaign.

Hughes said:

“I am looking forward to it. A local derby is always a good watch, and we are hoping for a big turnout.

“We want to progress in the cups this season. There clearly is a financial edge to going far, but the reality is, if you get to the third round, there are some good ties we want to be involved in.

“We will try and get there. Our intention is to stay in the competition for as long as we can.

“There is a real understanding within the squad about the history of the competition. The FA Cup is not on the same level, in terms of the prestige and standing, compared to other competitions.

“We have to navigate the game at the weekend. We have beaten them away from home, so there is no reason why we should not be confident.”

Harrogate Town submits major new ground redevelopment plans

Harrogate Town has submitted major new plans to redevelop its Wetherby Road ground.

The club has until April 30, 2024 to provide a capacity of 5,000 fans with a minimum of 2,000 seats to comply with English Football League membership criteria.

It currently caters for 5,000 fans but only has 1,000 seats.

Planning documents published today by Harrogate Borough Council reveal the club has applied to convert the Black Sheep and Myrings standing terraces to seated areas, providing 603 seats.

It also intends to demolish the 1919 venue and construct a new 1919 terrace with seating, a spectator refreshment area and toilets.

The club also wants to install ball stop netting and has submitted a separate planning application for a temporary marquee containing a refreshment bar.

David Smith, associate director of planning consultants WSP, which is acting on behalf of the club, said in a letter to the council:

“The proposed works will provide additional seating and spectator facilities for existing fans.

“The new spectator facility will encourage away fans to get to the ground earlier on match days and ease congestion immediately before kick-off.

“As such, the proposals will not give rise to any significant traffic congestion and road safety problems.

The club needs to create another 1,000 more seats.

The club previously applied to build a new, bigger South Stand.

Mr Smith’s letter said:

“This further application proposes an alternative, less disruptive and more efficient means of achieving the EFL requirement.

“There will be less demolition of existing buildings and a quicker construction programme with this proposal.

“This proposal will also help improve the match day experience. The proposal will mark an important step in the on-going success of the club.”

Read more:

‘Aim to start in December’

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Town, which secured promotion from the National League to the EFL for the first time in the club’s history in 2020, how much the project will cost and when it hopes work will take place.

A club spokesman said:

“Cost – we don’t know as yet, we are still working through the preliminary work but needed to get the application through early to reach the target date for having 2,000 seats.

“We aim to start in December/January time subject to planning and be ready for the start of season 2023 though we may still have some internal works to finish.”

We also asked how the club will handle the disruption on match days and what happens if the club, which is currently 21st of 24 in division two of the English Football League, gets relegated.

The spokesman said:

“No plans to move any games, work can be done in between games and facilities may be affected on match days at the away end but suitable provisions will be made if that’s the case.

“The plans will progress as we are aiming to improve facilities and match day experience for our loyal supporters and we have more families visiting us now to cater for, plus we hope to attract more first generation fans as we grow.”

Temporary bar to open at Harrogate Town in fortnight

A temporary bar is due to open at Harrogate Town‘s stadium in about two weeks.

Club chief executive Sarah Barry revealed the news at a fans’ forum last night — and added she hoped the Wetherby Road ground would have a second bar for home supporters by Christmas.

Not being able to get a drink on match days has been frustrating fans for some time.

Ms Barry told the forum she had been working on a solution since she arrived as chief executive just over a year ago, adding:

“We got planning permission on 6 September – that’s how long it has been. By the time we got planning permission unfortunately for us we can’t get the building slot we hoped.

“I’m absolutely delighted to say we have just had permission to put up a temporary bar which we hope will be put up as soon as possible. We will also be turning another part of the ground into a home supporters bar too.

“We will certainly have a temporary bar coming imminently and we will have a second bar, I’d like to say by Christmas, but don’t hold me to that as we still have to go through some hoops.”

Read more:

About 100 fans attended last night’s event at the Cedar Court Hotel and although many questions focused on Town’s poor form there were no direct calls for manager Simon Weaver to go.

Irving Weaver said it was a “fair question” when someone asked about the direction of the club but added it was “a bit early” for a change.

Last night’s fan forum also revealed…

Simon Weaver has turned down two job offers at other clubs

Chairman Irving Weaver revealed his manager and son Simon Weaver had rejected two job offers from professional clubs. He said:

“I’ve never disclosed this and he doesn’t know I’m going to say this: Simon has had a couple of offers because of the success of the club.

“One was from a Championship club and six weeks ago a League Two club went direct to him without any protocol of going to the chairman.”

The Weavers are “scrappers” who plan to battle their way out of trouble

Simon Weaver has been under pressure lately following a poor run of form that has left Harrogate just above the relegation zone.

Irving Weaver said he and Simon had no plans to quit and would work together. Talking about their relationship, he said:

“I’ve always said it was a linkage that was strong and if it failed it failed together. We are scrappers. We are going to graft this.”

Luke Armstrong has the manager’s backing – but is not “undroppable”

Asked about the struggling striker, Simon Weaver said:

“Nobody is undroppable. I have a really good relationship with Luke. He’s my Harry Kane. He has droughts, takes a battering, but I know there’s goals in there and there’s a real player there. I’m backing him but don’t be kidded – no player signs a contract where they are guaranteed a spot but the lad needs backing.”

Attendances are “not as bad as reported”

Sarah Barry was asked at the forum why ticket prices had been ‘hiked up’. She replied:

“I’d challenge that by saying prices have not been hiked up — we’ve aligned them. We were way, way, way behind average and had a price freeze for three or four years.”

She said there had only been a few home matches so far this season and there were mitigating circumstances behind some low attendances. She said “overall it’s not as bad as reported”.

Irving Weaver gave a more despondent answer when asked what the season’s highlights had been for him so far.

“There have not been too many highlights on the pitch. We’ve been down on crowds so that’s not an easy one to answer. It’s been a tough time all round. We need to be racking up the points.”

Business Breakfast: Aon renews Harrogate Town sponsorship

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Aon has renewed its sponsorship of Harrogate Town for the 2022/2023 Football League season, and also remains the women’s team’s main sponsor.

The investment from the professional services firm will support Town with kit provision, additional media equipment, as well as its business strategy and player development centre.

James Fell, head of office for Aon Leeds Tingley and Harrogate, said:

“We have a long relationship with Harrogate Town Football Club, which has grown year-on-year. Last season we became the main sponsor of the women’s team and it’s great that we are continuing our partnership with the whole club and help make a positive difference in the local community.

“Colleagues in Aon’s new Harrogate office are looking forward to watching the teams this season and collaborating closely with the club on a number of initiatives.”

Aon and Harrogate Town sponsorship

Pic: Gerard Binks

Joanne Towler, commercial director, Harrogate Town AFC said:

“Aon is a key partner for Harrogate Town Football Club. The partnership over the years has made a significant impact on the club, from the players’ performance on the pitch, to our football academy and most recently to our women’s team.

“Without sponsorship the club would not be where it is today, nor would we be able to support our local community and future players.”

Aon employs more than 115 insurance and risk management specialists across its Yorkshire offices, which include a branch at Harrogate’s Cardale Park.

Commercial litigation solicitor Alex Harrison joins McCormicks

Alex Harrison

Harrogate-based law firm McCormicks Solicitors has appointed commercial litigation solicitor Alex Harrison to its team.

Mr Harrison has brings experience in a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including disputes in contract, debt recovery, property, IP and construction. He also has experience in professional negligence claims, harassment, defamation and insolvency (individual and corporate) matters.

A keen mountaineer, cyclist, wild swimmer and rugby player, he said:

“I was looking to join a firm with good clients and varied work and the prospects of long-term career progression and McCormicks ticked all the boxes.”

Senior partner Peter McCormick said:

“Alex has made his presence felt already thanks to his positive ‘can do’ attitude and he will be an asset to the team.”

 

Top local football clubs ponder earlier kick-offs to save floodlight costs

Leading football clubs in Harrogate and Knaresborough are considering whether to kick-off earlier on Saturday afternoons over winter to save money on floodlights.

Rising energy bills mean the cost of lighting up matches is expected to soar this season, especially after the clocks go back on October 30.

Bringing forward the traditional 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off could save those clubs in the district with floodlights — Harrogate Town, Harrogate Railway Athletic and Knaresborough Town — thousands of pounds over the season.

For the district’s only professional club, Harrogate Town, any change seems unlikely. A club spokesman said:

“We have no plans to move our kick-offs at this stage.

“It was discussed at an English Football League meeting with all clubs last week and the overriding feeling was that it would be detrimental to attendances.”

Read more:

But the issue is less clearcut for semi-professional teams, which attract smaller attendances.

Michael Edwards, chairman of Harrogate Railway, who play in the Northern Counties East League Division One, said it was one of many teams in the league pursuing the idea. He said:

“It could save hundreds if not thousands of pounds over a season and every little bit counts.”

He said Harrogate Railway were looking to start some matches at 1.30pm or 2pm from November onwards — but any change has to be agreed by both teams three weeks in advance.

Clare Rudzinski, secretary of Knaresborough Town, who play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, one tier above Harrogate Railway, said the issue would be raised at a committee meeting next week.

Floodlights will continue to be used at midweek matches, when the evening kickoff times make floodlights essential.