Harrogate Town Archives - Page 12 of 28

Goalkeeper’s journey from Harrogate Railway to the Champions League

Beginning your career at Station View in Starbeck and ending up at grounds like the San Siro, Nou Camp and the Allianz Arena is an unlikely, even implausible, career path, but Jon McLaughlin was tipped for the top from the very start.

The 34-year-old Glasgow Rangers goalkeeper started last night during a 1-0 win over PSV that secured his club’s place in the Champions League group stages for the first time in over a decade.

Rangers were regulars in the competition in the 2000s when McLaughlin was starting out his career at Harrogate Railway.

Back then, he was a lanky 19-year-old student at Leeds Metropolitan University taking his first steps into part-time, non-league football.

‘The Battle of Harrogate’

McLaughlin made his debut for Railway in the Unibond League Cup away at Gateshead in 2006, due to an injury to the first-choice keeper.

He soon cemented his place in the side and stood out during Railway’s second fairytale FA Cup run of that decade. They were eventually knocked out by Mansfield Town in the 2nd round, live in front of the BBC cameras.

Earlier in the competition, fans of both Railway and Harrogate Town fondly remember his performance in a 2-1 qualifying win over a pre-Irving Weaver Harrogate Town.

The two clubs were at a much more even level than today.

It was a blustery October afternoon game that was watched by 1,300 at Station View. In a match report, non-league blogger Paul Kirkwood described the atmosphere, which contrasts wildly to the cauldron of Ibrox that the goalkeeper plays in today.

“The local paper tried to bull up the match as ‘The Battle of Harrogate’ but it was more like a cordial meeting of two old friends at the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms down the road.”

The Scot’s talent was evident, and it was clear Railway had found a gem.

Following Railway’s FA Cup heroics, he was signed by Town in early 2008. At the time, then-Railway boss Vince Brockie predicted the 20-year-old would play for Scotland one day, and he eventually did in 2018.

‘Massive for the club’

Railway’s secretary Dave Shepherd said he was proud to see one of the club’s former players make it to the top of the game

“To have an ex-footballer make it at the very top level is massive for the club.

“He was quiet really, even back then, but he was very dependable. He always turned up for training and games and was never a problem.

“I can remember back then we had a group of lads who came and sang to him, Scotland’s number one, tongue in cheek.”

Harrogate Railway’s vice chairman Lee Holmes said Railway has been a good starting point for many players over the years.

“He was really, really good. I was there for the match against Town and he did well. He was a brilliant player.”

Katherine Swinn, of Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Group, also remembers McLaughlin as a “great keeper, too good for non-league and very highly thought of”.

Up the ladder

After leaving Town after half a season, McLaughlin moved to professional, full-time football with Bradford City. They were then managed by Harrogate resident and fellow Scot Stuart McCall.

His career has included a League Cup final at Wembley and he will be hoping to make the Scotland squad for the Qatar World Cup later this year, but he still credits his time in Harrogate as laying the foundations for his success.

He told the Daily Record in 2020

“I follow all my former teams. Harrogate Town just got  promoted and it’s great to see them starting to build.

“When I was at Harrogate Railway before that, the pitches were open to anyone who wanted to walk in but nobody wanted to walk in unfortunately!

“There were a couple of men and a dog watching games so it’s the polar opposite to now.

“It’s great to be where I am now and hopefully it means I’ll never take it for granted.

“I have an appreciation for what I have now. I know first hand the difference between lifestyles from then and now – and the hours you have to dedicate to it.

“I don’t think any of the  Harrogate lads are playing pro football now. We’re talking about quite a few levels below the National League in England so it was part-time boys.

“We try to stay in contact but I don’t get down too often. I don’t get the chance to get involved in the reunions but it would be great to go back.”

Harrogate Town new scoreboard plan approved

A new scoreboard at Harrogate Town has been approved as part of the club’s stadium redevelopment.

The digital screen will sit in the south west corner of the EnviroVent Stadium.

Besides displaying the score, it will show substitutions made during a game and other match information, such as transport or safety news.

Harrogate Borough Council has now given approval for the plan.

The EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road is due to undergo a £3.5 million upgrade, funded by chairman Irving Weaver.

A statement submitted to the council said:

“The new scoreboard will complement the stadium and improve the spectator experience.”

The club has said it is the board’s ambition to create a “sustainable and thriving club, for future generations to enjoy”.

The club also has to abide by English Football League criteria for its ground following Town’s promotion to League Two in 2020.

The proposals include a new seated stand, match day bar and improved ticketing facilities.

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.

Simon Weaver: Harrogate Town have been through a ‘cycle of change’

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has said the club has been through a “cycle of change” as they head into the second week of the new season.

Town got off to a winning start last weekend against Swindon Town, picking up three points after a 3-0 win at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Weaver told the Stray Ferret that the squad had undergone wholesale changes ahead of the campaign, which needed to be made alongside a fresh style of play.

Town played a 3-4-2-1 formation last weekend and gave debuts to the likes of Matty Daly — one of 10 new additions to the squad.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Crewe Alexandra, Weaver said he hoped the changes would bring greater depth to the squad and prevent Town from dropping falling away again later in the season.

He said:

“We hope so. We’re excited about the start of the season. We’ve made so many new changes — new style of play, new training ground. We’ve had a whole cycle of change with the players.

“The last couple of years we just haven’t had the depth we needed. Injuries really hit us in the face. We’ve now got younger lads coming through and we can keep people fresh and have a good season throughout.”

Debutant Daly, who is on loan from Huddersfield Town, was on the scoresheet in the opening game, alongside Jack Muldoon and Alex Pattison.

The formation and style contributed to Town scoring three of their five shots on target.

When asked if he was happy with how the season has started, Weaver said the club had “a long way to go”.

He said:

“We are only 10 metres into a marathon so we have a long way to go.

“We have more pace now. Last season the counter attacks against us were quite potent. We didn’t have the right shape defensively. We can now be more patient with the ball.”

Town take on Crewe at Gresty Road at 3pm tomorrow.

The Railwaymen were relegated last season after finishing bottom of League One.

Town will be without Rory McArdle, Will Smith, Josh Falkingham and Max Wright who are injured for the clash.

Ticket information is available here.

Harrogate Town’s new women’s manager leaves suddenly

The manager of Harrogate Town‘s women’s team has left — five days after his appointment was announced.

The club issued a press release last week saying Liam Cope had taken over the reins and had already recruited several players. He was also due to help with player development.

But today a Town spokesman said “the agreement has since been ended and we are looking to recruit again”.

Cope, who has managed Ossett Town Ladies and been assistant manager at Leeds United Women, was due to arrive with a backroom team including a nutritionist and goalkeeping coach.

He said his ambition was to take the club to the next stage up the football pyramid by reaching the Women’s National League.

But the role is being advertised again. The closing date for applicants is Tuesday next week.

The Stray Ferret asked the club why Mr Cope had left suddenly and whether his backroom team would also not be joining the club.

A club spokesman said he understood “the club and Liam had mutually agreed that it would be best for him not to continue in the role”.

Harrogate Town Ladies currently play in the North East Regional Women’s Football League, which is one step below the Women’s National League Division One North.

They play home matches on the 3G pitch at Rossett Sports Centre, with their first fixture scheduled to be at home to South Shields on September 4.

Mr Cope said it was a fantastic club and he didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone at it.

But he added it was a club “in a state of transition” and “I’m not at a stage in my life where I can join a club in transition”. He added he “wasn’t aware of the size of the project” when he agreed to take on the role.

Harrogate Town to kick off third Football League season

Harrogate Town are set to kick off their third season in the Football League this afternoon.

Town will take on Swindon Town at the EnviroVent Stadium at 3pm.

Simon Weaver’s men will be hoping to consolidate their position in the EFL League Two and build upon last season’s 19th place finish.

Speaking ahead of the opening day, Weaver said pre-season had gone well for Town.

He said:

“It’s been a positive pre-season, as tough as we have ever given the lads to be honest both in the physical workloads and the games and the opposition they have had to face.

“When you take into consideration quite wholesale changes to the squad, it’s been quite challenging. But I think the last three performances have been positive and the results have suggested an upward curve as well.”

Wholesale changes

Town have made 10 new signings during the summer transfer window so far and seen 11 players leave the club.

Among the new arrivals is Tyler Frost, who signed a six-month deal this week and will be available for the Swindon clash.

Weaver said the squad needed to improve defensively on last season.

He said:

“We were reflecting on last season and there was no getting away from that defensively we weren’t good enough.

“We looked at how we could revamp it individually. First of all, we started with the shape and looked at the shape of our team and then looked at the players – round pegs for round holes – and then fitted the players for each of those positions we needed to sort out.

“There’s more youth about us as a squad, but also at the same time it has been more challenging bringing in more pedigree as well which is necessary. We looked at little bit raw for the level at times last year.

“But hopefully there is more flexibility within our squad now to be able to tweak and change when necessary, even within games. But overall we’re happy with the recruitment.”

Tough opening game

Town will take on last season’s play-off semi-finalists Swindon Town for their opening game.

Rory McArdle will miss the game with an injury sustained at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, skipper Josh Falkingham also misses the game through injury, but is closer to a return to action.

New signing Max Wright will also miss out with an ankle injury which will keep him out for four months.

Weaver described the clash against Swindon as a big game for the opening match.

He said:

“They don’t get much bigger do they? They reached the play off semi-final stage last season and they’re a strong outfit, aren’t they?

“Historically, they’ve played at the top level and they’ve got some good quality players and it will be a test.

“This week, we’ve just tried to inform the lads of what to expect in terms of their style of play and how they like to keep the ball and get into key areas.”

Harrogate Town women’s team appoints new manager

Liam Cope has been appointed manager of Harrogate Town’s women’s team, the club announced today.

Cope has previously managed Ossett Town Ladies and been assistant manager at Leeds United Women.

He brings with him a backroom team including a nutritionist and goalkeeping coach, details of which will be confirmed later.

Cope has set his sights on taking Harrogate to the next stage up the football pyramid by reaching the Women’s National League. He said:

“The Women’s National League is somewhere I’d like to be again, I see no reason why Town can’t be playing in that league in the next year or two.

“The team has gone from strength to strength in the past few years and we’re going to give getting to the next level a real good go.”

Cope, who begins his role next week, has already set the ball rolling recruiting players for another season in the North East Regional Women’s Football League, which also includes the likes of Sheffield Wednesday Ladies and York City Ladies.

He said:

“I’m looking to build a squad of players that are comfortable on the ball, with a good range of passing, technical and tactical ability, but most importantly have the right mentality.

“I want players to be brave on the ball, if a player makes a mistake we move on, but the one thing I will not accept is lack of intensity or lack of effort.

“We are welcoming new players who want to play good football in a positive environment with a coaching team that will support you 100% no matter what.

“If you want to join an ambitious club then this is the place to be.”

Player development

Cope will also play a role in the club’s player development centre, helping nurture young footballers throughout the development stages. He said:

“I know we have a real good programme coming through the girls’ player development centre and that’s something I want to promote and grow.

“The impact of the Euros is going to be huge, to beat Sweden in the manner we did shows the standard of women’s football in this country, if that encourages local talent to get involved at any age then that is a massive positive.”

Cope can be contacted on 07798 841696, or via girls development officer Becky Wilson at Beckywilson@harrogatetownafc.com.

Business Breakfast: Black Sheep Brewery continues Harrogate Town sponsorship

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Black Sheep Brewery in Masham will continue its sponsorship of Harrogate Town AFC for next season.

The brewery became the club’s “official beer” last season and collaborated on an IPA called Yellow Black Army.

Black Sheep chief executive Charlene Lyons said:

“We’re delighted to once again be the official beer of local side Harrogate Town AFC.

“We partnered with the club last year and watched as Town fought hard each and every game to once again be proud members of the Football League, and we can’t wait to watch the lads go again when the season kicks off later this month.”

Sarah Barry, chief executive at Harrogate Town AFC, added:

“We’re delighted to be once again supported by our friends Black Sheep Brewery. Local businesses are a vital part of our club and the support of Black Sheep Brewery for another year is a terrific boost for us and our fans.

“We hope to offer Black Sheep beer to home and away fans in the 22/23 season to come which will provide another exciting progression for our club as we aim to offer the best fan experience.”

Raworths’ team top ranked in independent guide

The trust, wills and estates team at Harrogate law firm Raworths has been ranked high on the Chambers High Net Worth Guide.

The publication is one of the leading guides to the international private wealth market and base their rankings on extensive independent research.

Comments from the guide include:

“Raworths excels in proactively delivering the services its clients require” and “there is huge knowledge within the team and they always meet our needs”.

The trusts, wills and estates team is listed in the top tier for York, Hull and surrounding area and also for the National Leaders (outside London) category.

EnviroVent extends Harrogate Town sponsorship until 2024

EnviroVent has extended its stadium sponsorship of Harrogate Town for another two seasons.

The deal will see the company sponsor the Wetherby Road ground until 2023/24.

It will also see EnviroVent work with the Harrogate Town Community Foundation to teach children about climate change as part of the club’s environment programme.

Iain Service, head of foundation for Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation:

“We are absolutely thrilled that EnviroVent will be helping the community foundation to deliver our new environmental sustainability projects.

“Activities, workshops and campaigns will highlight the importance of climate change, recycling and other ways in which we can do our bit to safeguard our planet for future generations.”

The Harrogate-based company manufactures ventilations for house builders and employs more than 250 people at its manufacturing plant, training suite and head office on Hornbeam Park.

EnviroVent is due to move to a new state of the art headquarters on PennyPot Lane.

It has sponsored Harrogate Town for the last nine seasons.

Andy Makin EnviroVent MD, with past winners and runners up (from 2021/22) of the Enviro Way Awards, an internal award voted for by staff members.

Andy Makin, managing director at EnviroVent, said:

“As a local business with shared ideals, EnviroVent is delighted to announce a further two-year commitment in our partnership with Harrogate Town AFC.

“We were excited to become stadium sponsor when the club was promoted to the National League and now, two years on, we are very happy at the prospect of building further on our relationship. This will allow closer links with the club on the pitch and its great work, off the pitch, in our local community.”

Joanne Towler, commercial director at Harrogate Town AFC, said:

“We are delighted EnviroVent is continuing its partnership with the Club as Stadium Sponsors, our like-minded values create an enjoyable and rewarding working relationship.

“We are very fortunate and thankful to have EnviroVent behind us, the company’s commitment to the club is invaluable.”

Big crowd expected tonight as Harrogate entertain Sheffield Wednesday

Harrogate Town‘s pre-season gets underway tonight with what could be one of the largest crowds all year at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Sheffield Wednesday have sold all 600 away tickets for the match, which kicks off at 7pm.

Harrogate have sold 1,200 so far, meaning a 2,000-plus crowd is on the cards for what is the pick of Town’s pre-season friendlies.

Wednesday have won the league four times and the FA Cup on three occasions but have hit on hard times since falling out of the Premier League in 2000.

They are currently in League One of the English Football League, one ahead of Harrogate, but retain a large away following.

The Owls will provide a stern test in the heat for Simon Weaver’s new-look side.

Weaver said:

“Sheffield Wednesday will be a huge test. They were right up there in the league last season and almost got promoted via the playoffs. It’ll be good to welcome them, who are a huge club with rich history. It should be a good occasion.

“Everyone has been without football for a little while now so I’m sure the appetite is there and it’ll be a nice evening for a good game of football.”

Weaver added the squad had worked hard in pre-season training and “fitness levels are really high right now”.

The Suphurites have brought in eight players after fading badly last season following a strong start.

Academy player George Horbury has also been offered professional terms. Weaver said:

“The new players have settled in quite easily and have had a good laugh between themselves.

“They’re all becoming friends straight away which is great and what we need after making quite a few new signings.”

Tickets for tonight’s match are available here,

Harrogate Town plans new scoreboard as part of stadium improvements

Harrogate Town has lodged plans for a new scoreboard as part of its ground redevelopment.

The digital screen would sit in the south west corner of the ground, under plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.

The board would be used to show supporters the score, substitutions made during a game and other match information, such as transport or safety news.

Harrogate Town currently has no scoreboard in place.

An example of a scoreboard planned for Harrogate Town as submitted to the council.

A statement submitted to the council said:

“The new scoreboard will complement the stadium and improve the spectator experience.”

The council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

The plans come as the club’s EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road is to undergo a £3.5 million upgrade, funded by chairman Irving Weaver.

The club has said it is the board’s ambition to create a “sustainable and thriving club, for future generations to enjoy”.

The club, which recently announced an increase in season ticket prices, also has to abide by English Football League criteria for its ground following Town’s promotion to League Two in 2020.

The proposals include a new seated stand, match day bar and improved ticketing facilities.

‘The Battle of Harrogate’

‘Massive for the club’

Up the ladder

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Wholesale changes

Tough opening game

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Player development

Raworths’ team top ranked in independent guide

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