Newcastle to send under-23 team to Harrogate tomorrow after covid outbreak

Newcastle United are to bring an under-23 team to Harrogate tomorrow rather than a first team squad due to covid.

The Premier League side announced the news this afternoon after goalkeeper Karl Darlow tested positive.

Although every other player and staff member within Newcastle’s first team group has returned negative tests, fellow goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and Freddie Woodman have gone into isolation for 10 days after being identified as close contacts.

Consequently Newcastle will send a first team to York tomorrow and an under-23 team to Harrogate to minimise mixing between the groups.

Magpies manager Steve Bruce said:

“I have spoken to Simon Weaver, who was very understanding, and I would like to apologise to any Harrogate supporters who have bought tickets thinking first team players were coming.

“Ultimately, we have to follow the advice from medical professionals and take proactive steps to protect players and we simply can’t mix up the dressing rooms, which was our initial plan.”

The first ever match between Harrogate and the six-times FA Cup winners was the pick of Town’s pre-season friendlies.

Kick off is at 2pm tomorrow  at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road.

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Harrogate Town bolsters squad with two more signings

Harrogate Town have signed two more players ahead of their second-ever campaign in League Two.

The former West Ham left-back Lewis Page has joined Simon Weaver’s squad after spending last season at Exeter City in League Two.

Versatile midfielder and former Liverpool youth player Nathan Sheron joins after four years with League One outfit Fleetwood Town.

The 25-year-old Page signed for West Ham aged nine and made his first-team debut in July 2015, playing in a Europa League qualifying round.

He was unable to break into their Premier League team and has since played for Cambridge United, Coventry City and Charlton Athletic.

He said:

“I would say I’m the ‘modern day’ type left-back. Obviously I pride myself on my defending, I try to do that first and foremost but then getting forward is a bonus.

“I like to get forward a lot and put crosses in and try and affect the game by making assists.”

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Twenty-three-year-old Sheron signed for Liverpool aged seven and spent 10 years in the Anfield club’s famous youth system before joining Fleetwood in 2016.

He said:

“I’m an honest player and I’ll play wherever the manager puts me. I wear my heart on my sleeve and won’t shirk out of a tackle so hopefully I can play as many games as possible and try to kick us up the league.

“It’s an upcoming club so hopefully there’s a lot more to come.”

Weaver had already bolstered his squad with five new signings: Mark Oxley, Rory McArdle, Luke Armstrong, Danilo Orsi and Alex Pattison.

Town welcome Premier League team Newcastle United to the Envirovent Stadium for a pre-season friendly on Sunday.

Harrogate Town manager looks up to ‘principled and honest’ Gareth Southgate

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver has paid tribute to Gareth Southgate, who he said has paved the way for football managers to be “principled and honest”.

Weaver told the Stray Ferret that he first met at the England manager, who lives locally, at a gym and they have built up a friendship over the years.

Ahead of the National League play-off final at Wembley last summer, Weaver invited Southgate to give the Town players a motivational team-talk before the biggest game in their history.

Weaver said:

“His emotional intelligence is second to none.

“He’s obviously an outstanding communicator. His values show great honesty.”

The Town boss said that during his own playing career, managers wouldn’t always explain why he was left out of a game, which led to a loss of respect.

In a team full of superstars, he said it is a credit to Southgate’s man-management skills that the players are all firmly behind him, no matter who is chosen for the final 11.

He said:

“There’s no dissent in the squad. The buy-in from his players is second to none.”

But he said it’s a mistake to label Southgate as “just a nice guy”.

“He’s not controversial but has a steely edge.”

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Weaver said Harrogate should “cherish and be proud” of Southgate, and said that he tries to run Harrogate Town with similar values.

Weaver added:

“He’s the perfect fit for an England manager, no job is too small. I look up to him and I can’t help but admire him.

“He’s paved the way to be principled and not have a big front.”

He also has an amusing anecdote. A couple of years ago, Weaver bumped into Southgate in a clothes shop in Harrogate and they had a long chat. Afterwards, the shop owner nudged the Town boss, not knowing who he was, and asked:

“Was that really Gareth Southgate?”

Harrogate Town reveal ticketing arrangements for first two pre-season matches

Harrogate Town season ticket holders are to be entered into a ballot for tickets to the club’s first pre-season friendlies at home.

Tickets for Town’s games against Premier League outfit Newcastle Untied on July 18 and Championship club Rotherham United on July 21 will be balloted ahead of the games.

Both matches will be held at the EnviroVent Stadium this month and will be held in front of a limited crowd.

Announcing the ticket arrangements, the club said:

“Due to the amount of Harrogate Town seated season ticket holders exceeding the amount of seats available, all seated Harrogate Town season ticket holders as of July 9 will be entered into a ballot for a seat in the family stand, with those unsuccessful offered a seat in an alternative standing area.

“Unfortunately, for these two fixtures only, season ticket holders will not be seated in their chosen seat, each supporter successful in the ballot for a seat will be allocated their seat. Seated season ticket holders will be contacted with the result of the ballot.”

The club added that those season ticket holders not wishing to attend because they cannot sit in a seat will be given a free streaming pass in compensation.

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A limited number of standing tickets will go on sale from 12pm on Monday July 12 at the club shop on Commercial Street. Tickets will not be available online.

General sale tickets will be will be sold on a first-come first-served basis at £10 for adults, £8 concessions and £2 for under-18s.

The club added:

“The fixture will fall under the same protocols as our last home match with supporters, which includes staggered arrival and departure of supporters and a one way system in place in the stadium.”

Town are set for trips to Huddersfield, Brighouse Town and Darlington as part of their pre-season schedule.

League One club Sunderland are also set for a trip to Wetherby Road on July 24.

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver signs new contract

Simon Weaver has signed a new three-year deal to stay on as manager of Harrogate Town.

Me Weaver first took the reins at Wetherby Road in May 2009 when he was appointed player-manager by his chairman father Irving Weaver.

The club has been transformed in the 12 years since. It’s gone from being a Conference North club in the sixth tier of English football to finishing 17th last season in Division Two of the English Football League — the fourth tier.

Weaver, who was born in Doncaster, is currently the longest-serving manager in the professional game in England.

He said:

“This club has been a massive part of my life for for 12 years, so to take it to 15 is fantastic for me personally.

“I’m excited about the challenge ahead and have as much appetite for it now as I did 12 years ago.”

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Town’s assistant manager Paul Thirwell has also signed a new three-year contract with the club.

Thirwell, who played for Sheffield United and Sunderland, has worked under Weaver since January 2017.

Their close relationship was captured in the BT Sport documentary Proud To Be Town, which chronicled the club’s promotion to League Two in 2019-20.

Weaver added:

“Paul and I are very close, he definitely alleviates pressure on my job with what he brings to the table, he’s a good presence, has a great personality and sense of humour, but overall he is a really good person, which is important to me.”

Town will begin their second-ever campaign in the English Football League with a home tie against Rochdale on August 7.

Harrogate Town to kick off new season against Rochdale

Harrogate Town will play Rochdale AFC at home on the first day of the new League Two season.

The Greater Manchester outfit will visit the Environment on Saturday August 7 to kick off Town’s second-ever campaign in the English Football League.

Simon Weaver’s men will then head to Crawley Town on August 14 and then to Leyton Orient on August 17.

Fans will be looking forward to visiting Bradford City’s Valley Parade on Boxing Day with the reverse fixture played at the EnviroVent on 5 February.

The full fixture list. Credit: Harrogate Town

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The 2022 calendar year will begin with a trip to Port Vale on New Year’s Day before the team heads to Exeter on January 8, which is the longest away journey of the season.

Yesterday also saw Town drawn in the Papa John’s Trophy where they will face Sheffield Wednesday, Mansfield Town and a final team that will be announced at 4.30pm today.

The Carabao Cup first-round draw will also be revealed at 3.40pm today.

In April, the club were awarded a general safety certificate to hold full capacity games next season once all coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Harrogate Town add Sunderland and Rotherham to pre-season fixtures

Harrogate Town announced today they will play two pre-season friendlies at home against Sunderland and Rotherham.

Town will welcome both sides to the EnviroVent Stadium in July as part of the club’s pre-season fixtures.

Championship side Rotherham United will face Town on Wednesday, July 21, in a 7.30pm kick off.

The club will then host League One club Sunderland at the EnviroVent Stadium for the first time on Saturday, July 24 in a 3pm kick off.

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The Black Cats will head to Wetherby Road less than a week after bitter north-east rivals Newcastle come to Harrogate on July 18.

The club said it is in “constant communication” with the authorities over the return of supporters amid high demand for tickets.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Town said:

“The club has been inundated with eager supporters, both old and new, keen to purchase tickets for the visit of Newcastle United, and we anticipate similar demand for our two other home pre-season fixtures.

“We are in constant communication with the relevant regulatory bodies about the return of crowds after lockdown restrictions are lifted and as soon as we have the green light tickets will be sold online via the club website and at the club shop on Commercial Street.

“We are committed to the return of supporters and are doing everything in our power to make this happen as soon as possible.”

Town are also set for trips to Huddersfield, Brighouse Town and Darlington.

Will Smith signs long term deal

Also today, centre-back Will Smith committed his future to the club by signing a new long term deal.

Smith, who has made more than 80 appearances for Town over two seasons, said he was delighted to stay at the club.

Will Smith, Harrogate Town centre back, has committed his long term future to the club.

Will Smith, Harrogate Town centre back, has committed his long term future to the club. Photo credit: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town

He said:

“I was buzzing when the gaffer approached me and said he wanted me to sign a new deal. I’m ready to accept the challenge and hopefully we can kick on again and go further.

“I’ve learned a lot in the last two years. When I first arrived I was only a young lad and now I’ve grown up a lot and become better as a player and matured. 

“It’s been a great learning curve for me and to say I’m still 22-years-old, I’ve played a fair few games now and that’s only going to make me better.”

Manager Simon Weaver said:

“Will’s played a huge part in our progress as a club. He’s a strong, young player who is developing all the time and he was unlucky with an injury last year, but came back and immediately made his mark in his first game back. It shows a lot about his character and his rehab work.

“Overall he’s a strong, dominant centre-half that’s young and in the modern game, there’s not too many around that want to put their head through everything but he’s a good footballer as well. He’s a player who also listens to everything intently and wants to do well in the game.”

Harrogate Town coach launches football boots appeal for kids in need

Harrogate Town’s under-19 coach Paul Barker is asking young people and their families in the district to donate sports equipment to disadvantaged youngsters.

He’s collecting football boots, balls, and other sporting gear which will be sent to a new charity called Action For Sport, which was set up to improve sporting participation for young people living in poverty. Donations will mainly help people in Bradford but also in other parts of the UK.

Mr Barker has worked in sport all his life and said its impact can be profound on young people. However, poverty can be a barrier to entry, with some parents unable to afford the essentials.

He said:

“Without sport some youngsters could go down a different path, sport can change that.”

“The charity is about giving them access to play sport in cities and getting them off the street.

Mr Barker said he has a friend whose son plays for Leeds United’s youth team. He receives three new pairs of goalkeeper gloves each month, which he was going to send to the tip but instead donated them to the charity.

He said even a small donation could make a big difference:

“An old ball, boots or trainers and you’re off”.

To donate, email Mr Barker at pbjfc@live.com or contact him through his Twitter page. He said you can arrange a time to drop the equipment off at his house.

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It’s not the first time Mr Barker has launched a drive for football equipment for those in need.

Two years ago he collected over 400 pairs of football boots, which were donated to the Namutumba orphanage in Uganda.

The people of Harrogate rallied behind the appeal, which was a huge success and created some new Town fans in a different continent.

He added:

“There are young people wandering around Uganda now wearing Harrogate Town shirts!”

Harrogate Town make first signing of summer transfer window

Harrogate Town have announced midfielder Alex Pattison as the club’s first signing of the summer.

Pattison joins from Wycombe Wanderers, where he made 24 appearances in all competitions.

The 23-year-old spent two seasons at Wycombe, whose nickname is the Chairboys, where he helped the club achieve promotion to the Championship in 2019/20.

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Pattison, who was born in Darlington, started his career at Middlesbrough before joining York City in 2017/18.

He went on to make 29 appearances for Yeovil Town in League Two in 2018/19.

Pattison will wear the number 16 shirt for Town, which was previously worn by striker Jon Stead, who retired at the end of last season after a long and successful career.

English Football League approves Harrogate Town’s bid to create academy

Harrogate Town have been given permission by the English Football League to open an academy for budding professionals aged 16 to 18.

The club revealed today it had received a licence to operate a category four academy.

The academy will be led by former Knaresborough Town manager Paul Stansfield, supported by professional development phase coach Ross McKay.

Phil Priestley will act as goalkeeper coach and Josh Walsh as academy secretary. Lee Barraclough has been appointed head of recruitment.

Based at West Riding FA along with the current first team, the academy will compete in the EFL Youth Alliance North East, allowing regular competitive fixtures and a pathway through the ranks.

First team manager Simon Weaver said:

“This is a massive step in the right direction for the club in terms of fulfilling the vision of where we started and what we foresee being our future.

“Our under-19s, under-17s and under-19 Alliance teams will continue to run and compete in their respective leagues, alongside the newly established academy.”

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