Harry Gration was loved by many people in the Harrogate district and across Yorkshire. He touched many lives – last year he worked with us at the Stray Ferret in a competition to find Harry’s Heroes.
In the course of a few weeks he met the finalists and made podcasts with them – talking to them about what inspired them to work for others. It was what Harry liked doing best — meeting people from all walks of life.
Tamsin O’Brien the director of the Stray Ferret worked with Harry at the BBC when he was presenting Look North. Today she said:
“Harry was a one-off. He was fun and simply got on with everyone. A naturally gifted communicator.
“I worked with Harry in my previous career at the BBC and it was joy to work again with him last year on Harry’s Heroes. It’s hard to take in the news that he’s no longer with us.
“I speak on behalf of all of us at the Stray Ferret by sending Helen and his family all our love and thoughts at this time. There was only one Harry Gration.”
Susie Little from Covid Co-operation Harrogate, who was one of the nominated heroes, posted a picture on Facebook of herself with Harry and this message :
“I am so sad following the news of Harry Gration’s death last night. He was a true Yorkshire gent; no airs or graces, not a hint of “celeb”.“I was privileged to spend an hour with him last year when nominated for a Harry’s Hero award. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and BBC colleagues who must be reeling at the news. He was only 72. Rest in peace, Harry. Legend.”
Susie Little with Harry last year for Harry’s Heroes
Harry Gration lived in York but was a regular visitor to the district.
He was a season ticket holder at Harrogate Town which posted this message:
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of friend of the club, Harry Gration. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Harry’s loved ones at this time
Recently Harry spoke at a Harrogate Brigantes fundraising event. Today a statement was issued from the club’s Les Ellington:
“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Harry Gration MBE, who was guest speaker and auctioneer at our charity dinner only on 17 June, helping us to raise over £5000 for our Ukraine appeal.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues at the BBC. Rest in peace Harry and thank you from all of us.”
Do you have memories of meeting Harry Gration? Do send them to us and we will publish them in the coming few days. contact@thestrayferret.co.uk
Harrogate Town set for Christmas cracker against BradfordHarrogate Town will travel to Bradford for a Christmas Yorkshire derby.
Today’s fixture list revealed that Town will start with a home match against Swindon Town on August 30.
They will also end the season with a home game, against Rochdale on May 6.
But most Harrogate fans will have looked first for the matches against Yorkshire rivals Bradford City, against whom Town did the double last season.
Valley Parade holds up to 25,000 fans.
Simon Weaver’s men will entertain the Bantams on October 1. The return fixture will take place at Valley Parade on December 29, when a bumper festive crowd is likely.
The two teams played twice in 16 days last season. After defeating Bradford 2-0 at the EnviroVent Stadium, Harrogate then came from behind to win 3-1 in a thrilling encounter in Bradford.
Former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes was named as Bradford’s new manager shortly after that game.
Read more:
- ‘Allez Allez Allez!’ Harrogate Town fans savour special Bradford trip
- Fans hopeful new Harrogate Town ticketing system will boost crowds
The only other Yorkshire team in League Two of the English Football League is relegated Doncaster Rovers.
Town will travel to the Eco-Power Stadium on December 17 then Doncaster will come to Harrogate on April 15.
The dates of fixtures are liable to change.
Luke Armstrong signs long term contract with Harrogate TownLuke Armstrong has extended his contract at Harrogate Town until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Armstrong finished his first season at the club as top goalscorer, netting 14 times since arriving from Salford City in June 2021.
The 25-year-old forward opened the scoring against Rochdale in August in the first five minutes of the game, leading to a nomination for Football League World EFL2 Player of the Month.
He went on to score six in his first eight appearances, earning further League Two Player of the Month nominations in September from the PFA and SkyBet League Two.
Armstrong was instrumental in Town’s historic run to the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup too, scoring a memorable goal at Fratton Park in the second round.
He said today:
“When I first signed here last year I knew it was somewhere I wanted to tie myself down to for a long time so I’m over the moon that the Gaffer has shown his faith in me and offered me a long term contract.
“We want to show what we can do again like we did at the start of last season, we want to be up there challenging and trying and get out of this league and into League One which we are capable of doing.
“Personally I want to do better than last season and get back to the form I showed in the first half of the season.
“Myself and the team had started off really well and I had never felt more at home at a club.
“Even through the tough times we had towards the end of last season I still really enjoyed playing which is a rarity, the lads here are great and the Gaffer believed in me throughout so it was a no brainer to sign again.”
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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.
Read more:
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:
How stressful is it managing Harrogate Town?“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 manager Simon Weaver has had many nerve-wracking moments during his 13 years on the touchline at Wetherby Road.
But he was recently fitted with a monitor to see how a 90-minute match affects his heart, in an experiment captured by Sky Sports.
Weaver was fitted with a heart monitor at The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate before the club’s final game of the season against Sutton United on May 7.
The game promised to be an emotional one as it was the last game for veteran midfielder Lloyd Kerry before he retired.
One moment in particular, where Jack Diamond rounded the keeper only to see his shot hit the post, saw the exasperated gaffer put his head in his hands.
Read more:
The cardiologist Professor Chris Gale showed Weaver the results of the heart monitor after the game, which thankfully showed his ticker was healthy and in good condition.
There were a few peaks, such as when Diamond hit the post and the manager’s heart rate rose to 115bpm.
Weaver told Sky Sports after the game:
“Now I know my heart’s in good nick, it comes as a relief. It’s interesting how excited you can get during a game. It can really raise that heartbeat so I have to stay fit to do this job.
“I try and transmit a bit of calm to the lads, we have our moments where we get a bit too excitable. It doesn’t do the players any favours if I’m off the Richter scale!”
Click here to watch the full video.
Stray Views: Harrogate Town FC should get a new stadiumStray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
A new stadium for Harrogate Town?
It is excellent news about Harrogate Town having £3.5m to improve their ground on Wetherby Road. Isn’t this just throwing good money into a bad issue. The ground cannot expand, has no parking and few facilities for visiting fans.
The solution is not good money after bad it is about thinking much more strategically. Why don’t Harrogate Town talk to Harrogate Borough Council and instead of leasing land on Wetherby Road ask to look at leasing Council Land on Leeds Road between Harrogate and Pannal to build themselves a stadium to be proud of and fit for purpose and would be amazing if more success comes their way.
There could be on site parking and not just using Residential streets around the ground as a car park. There is nowhere for coaches to park for visiting fans. The site is sustainable being served by a very regular bus service, the 36, and also being close to Pannal Station. It would be a win, win for everyone.
Then to add to those wins the council could give the Harrogate Town site to the hospital for car parking for their staff, again removing hospital parking from many, many roads and making it safer for staff especially on night shifts.
I would be happy to meet with the football club to discuss this and to hear other peoples views.
Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council
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36 route should include railway station
It would be useful if the 36 included the railway station in its peregrinations in Leeds even if there is a double stop at the bus station, otherwise there is an off putting hike in between.
As a postscript, back in the pre-Beeching days the 36 used to visit the Ripon Railway station between stops at the bus station. Just goes to show not much is new.
Trevor Dale, Harrogate
Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
Harrogate Town to spend £3.5m improving groundHarrogate 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.
Read more:
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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:
Harrogate Town commentator hangs up microphone after 40 years“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.”
The much-loved Harrogate Town matchday commentator for BBC Radio York has hung up his microphone after a four-decade career with the BBC.
Barry Parker is a familiar and idiosyncratic voice to Harrogate Town fans, commentating on the club’s games since 2015.
He also featured on Town’s live matchday stream, which was a lifeline to many fans during the covid pandemic when they weren’t allowed into the grounds.
His last game was at the weekend when Harrogate Town lost 2-0 at home to Sutton United. Fans paid tribute to Mr Parker by chanting his name at half-time.
Looking back on his career, Mr Parker said:
“When I came out of college in 1979 I had no idea what I was going to do.
“I’ve had 40 wonderful years doing a job that I loved and being paid for it — I’ve been so lucky.
“If I’ve done the job well, it gets appreciated not by one or two people but by thousands, which is very heart-warming.”
Read more:
The commentator was praised by Town boss Simon Weaver, who said he has been “absolutely magnificent” for the club.
He said:
“Absolutely brilliant commentary – and sometimes totally biased in our favour! I really do appreciate him, as do all the players and the faithful who haven’t been able to travel, especially due to the pandemic. Barry has been immense for the football club. Thank you so much Barry – you are always welcome at Harrogate Town.”
BBC Radio York’s executive producer Anna Evans added:
Harrogate Town’s longest-serving player to retire“Barry’s career with the BBC has been immense, spanning four decades. It’s rare to find someone so passionate about sport and radio. Following his final commentary game, we received so many messages from listeners sharing memories and wishing him well. It’s been an honour to have him as part of our team. We will miss him here at BBC Radio York.”
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:
Harrogate Town made £1m loss in first Football League season“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.”
Harrogate Town posted a loss of £1 million during its first season in the English Football League.
The club secured professional league status for the first time in its history in 2020 after winning the National League play-offs.
Town then played its entire 2020/21 season in League Two behind closed doors due to the covid pandemic.
According to accounts filed with Companies House, the club published a loss of £1.019 million for the 12 months to June 2021.
The club said it was not alone in struggling through the pandemic and added that growing its fanbase now that spectators are allowed into stadiums was “a priority”.
The accounts added that the club’s cash flow forecast for the next 12 months was dependent on Irving Weaver, chairman and majority shareholder, not requesting £3.7 million he has currently put into the club in order for it to meet its liabilities.
The accounts said Mr Weaver “does not intend to seek repayment of the amounts due for the period covered by the forecast”.
A spokesperson for Harrogate Town said:
“As with all sporting venues, entertainment and hospitality organisations, the club has had a challenging time during the pandemic with not being able to operate fully so we are obviously still playing catch up.
“As you would expect, as a relatively new league status club, and with fans allowed in for the first time this season since being promoted into the league, we are still growing our fan base and that will remain our priority.
“We have lots going on behind the scenes and will be announcing details of all new developments as soon as we are in a position to do so ahead of the new season but we are still in the planning and negotiations stages on various projects.”
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- Harrogate Town given go-ahead for new ticket office and turnstiles
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- Harrogate Town plans new clubhouse at stadium
The club is currently in the process of improving facilities at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road following promotion to the English Football League.
Last month Town officials applied to Harrogate Borough Council to build a new clubhouse at the stadium to meet demand from increased fans on match days.
Meanwhile, a new ticket office and turnstiles at the EnviroVent Stadium were approved by the council in April 2021.