Boris Johnson urged to support Harrogate Town’s Wembley campaign

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones today urged the Prime Minister to support Harrogate Town’s bid to rearrange the date of its trip to Wembley so fans can attend.

The Football Association has said last season’s postponed FA Trophy final between Harrogate and Concord Rangers will take place behind closed doors at Wembley on May 3, just two weeks before fans can return to stadiums.

It means Town fans will be cruelly denied a trip to the home of English football for the second time in 12 months.

Speaking today at Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative MP Mr Jones described a Wembley cup final as the “holy grail” for supporters of smaller clubs. He said all four MPs of affected clubs backed the campaign to move the date and asked:

“Will the Prime Minister join us in encouraging those scheduling the matches to do all they can to move the date so that fans can attend?”

Boris Johnson replied:

“I hope very much that the Football Association will listen to carefully to what my honourable friend has to say and that they do what they can.”

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The FA previously said the game would be rearranged when fans can return. Town fan Rob Nixon told the Stray Ferret supporters should be rewarded for their patience.

“After missing out on Wembley last year, we had a lot of good faith in the FA after they suggested a final we could attend this season. I think it’s only fair they honour this and reward the fans for our patience.”

A petition set up by a Harrogate Town fan to move the fixture now has over 1,100 signatures.

Harrogate Town Wembley petition nears 900

Almost 900 people have signed a petition set up by a Harrogate Town fan that calls on the FA to move a Wembley cup final appearance so fans can attend.

The FA announced last season’s postponed FA Trophy final between the club and Concord Rangers will take place behind closed doors at Wembley on May 3.

But for Philip Holdsworth, who set up the petition, this has led to “heartwrenching disappointment” for fans as the government says supporters can return to stadiums from May 17 — just two weeks later.

Hebburn vs Consett in the FA Vase final will also take at Wembley on May 3 which promoted Labour MP for Jarrow, Kate Osbourne, to raise the issue in the House of Commons.

Several Harrogate Town fans have now contacted Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones in the hopes he will support their cause.

Town supporter Jordan Ford said he hopes the petition will influence the FA to move the fixture:

“If we didn’t try then nothing would change. We’re getting our voices across and doing all we can.”

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The FA previously said the game would be rearranged when fans can return. Town fan Rob Nixon said long-suffering supporters should be rewarded for their patience.

“After missing out on Wembley last year, we had a lot of good faith in the FA after they suggested a final we could attend this season. I think it’s only fair they honour this and reward the fans for our patience.”

You can sign the petition here.

Star striker Muldoon hoping to end career at Harrogate Town

Harrogate Town’s free-scoring striker Jack Muldoon says he doesn’t want the club’s good times to end and hopes to finish his career at Wetherby Road.

The 31-year-old signed for Town in 2018 and has been the top scorer during each of the last three seasons which has seen them ascend to the English Football League for the first time in their history.

With the club now tantalisingly close to the League 2 play-offs, Jack told the Stray Ferret the squad is now eyeing another promotion.

He said:

“You’re not gonna settle for mid-table.”

Jack commutes to Harrogate from his hometown of Scunthorpe and has been pleased to see how the club’s change in fortunes has captured the imagination of the town.

He said: “There’s a lot more to come in coming years.”

The club are on a rich vein of form and have won four of their last five games. They play Forest Green Rovers this afternoon.

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Overcoming adversity

Jack is a type one diabetic but has overcome this adversity in his life and career. He said it’s a tough disease but is manageable for a full-time athlete:

“I’m one of the fittest lads in the squad. Diabetes is nothing new to me but you’ve got to a bit more open minded and organised. I watch my sugar levels and eat right.”

Jack has his email address on his Twitter profile and says he regularly responds to questions from parents or youngsters who have the disease and want to progress in sport.

Whilst Jack is able to manage his diabetes and play professional football, he paid tribute to his friend and former teammate Jack Emmet who was recently forced to leave the club due to chronic fatigue syndrome.

“I was really sad to see him go. But he’s a bright lad and he will do well for himself away from football.”

On fans return

With the government saying fans can return to sports grounds from the middle of May, Jack said all the players are looking forward to welcoming supporters back to Wetherby Road after such a long time away due to covid restrictions.

It means they could return for a potential play-off run after they were cruelly denied the experience last season:

“We’ve done a year since we’ve had all our fans properly in the stadium, so a few more months won’t hurt but they really help us on gameday.”

Harrogate Town trip to Wembley confirmed – but no fans allowed

Last season’s postponed FA Trophy final between Harrogate Town and Concord Rangers will take place behind closed doors at Wembley on May 3.

The fixture was postponed last year due to covid and fans had hoped it would be rearranged when fans were allowed back into stadiums.

However, the Football Association today confirmed the new date. It added a date later in the year was not available.

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It means Town fans will be denied their first-ever trip to the home of English football for the second time in a year.

The club played last season’s National League play-off final in August at an empty Wembley stadium.

The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

Harrogate Town managing director Garry Plant said:

“We were hoping the date of the final would be further along the lockdown restrictions pathway so supporters could have been there with us.

“We had been pushing the FA for that to be the case, but have not been consulted and this date comes to us out of the blue.

“We are deeply sorry for supporters who again will not get the chance to join us at Wembley, however we will be doing all we can to make arrangements that include the supporters and allow them to enjoy the final.”

Harrogate Town fans dreaming of Wembley again

Hopes are rising for a Harrogate Town appearance at Wembley this year — and this time fans might be able to watch.

Three wins on the bounce have pushed the club up the League Two table and they are now just four points off the play-offs.

The government has said that up to 10,000 fans can return to stadiums from the middle of May. The play-off final is set to be held at Wembley on the weekend of May 29-31.

Town are also in the final of last season’s postponed FA Trophy against Concord Rangers, which will also be held at Wembley, with the FA keen to see the fixture played once fans can return.

Jordan Ford, from the Harrogate Town Supporter’s Club, said fans are starting to dream of making the trip to Wembley after they were cruelly denied the experience last season.

He said:

“I’m not getting carried away yet but anything can happen. We’ve shown that over the last two seasons and there is no reason why we can’t get promoted. We’re mixing it with some big teams.”

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Town beat Barrow 1-0 last night and Mr Ford said recent shrewd signings had given Simon Weaver’s squad the strength in depth to compete at this level.

Besides some matches in December when tier two rules allowed about 500 fans to watch games at Wetherby Road, supporters have been forced to watch games via an online stream this season.

In normal times, Mr Ford organises coach trips for fans to away fixtures around the country. He hopes to be able to resume this from next season.

As fans have been starved of the experience of travelling to new grounds, trips to the likes of Bolton, Tranmere and Walsall could be seen as glamorous for a club that is used to playing less illustrious non-league opponents.

He added:

“It’s about getting up at 5am and getting a taxi to the ground to get on the bus. We’re missing exploring these new grounds.”

Harrogate Town game postponed due to frozen pitch

Harrogate Town’s game against Leyton Orient tomorrow afternoon has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

A pitch inspection today deemed the surface at Wetherby Road unsafe to play.

The recent cold snap has posed problems for the club, who have already been forced to postpone fixtures against Carlisle, Cheltenham, and Exeter.

The Carlisle game in December was abandoned after just 10 minutes.

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The club are currently in 15th place in their first-ever season in the English Football League.

They are 10 points clear of the relegation zone but Simon Weaver’s men could also have one eye on the play offs — which are nine points away.

Harrogate Scrubbers turn their hands to kit bags for Town

Harrogate Town’s players have an extra reason to feel the love from their community as they face Leyton Orient this weekend.

The volunteers of Harrogate Scrubbers have stepped up to a new challenge and provided a full set of kit bags for the team.

Just a couple of weeks after receiving the call for help, the sewers – who have already made more than 2,000 sets of scrubs for local frontline workers – have delivered a matching set of bags for all the players. In exchange, the club will make a donation to Harrogate Hospital and Community Charity.

Volunteer sewer Margaret Bleasdale said:

“I am always happy to help with sewing for Harrogate Scrubbers. It keeps me occupied during lockdown and it is such a well organised group. It was a pleasure to make the kit wash bags for Harrogate Town and I wish them good luck for the rest of their season.”

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Fabric was provided by Showtime Fabrics, while White Rose Sewing delivered the accessories. Carrie Brown, Susie Cox, Stella Zealand, Karola Cramoysan, Kathy Wilkinson, Margaret Bleasdale, Denise Huntington, Rosalind Waite, Doreen Stephenson, Lyn Clarke and Phyllis Tyson all stepped up to help with the sewing.

The group was supported by PG Branding on Hornbeam Park, which printed the bags. Sales director Nick Jarett said, on seeing the appeal, his team immediately wanted to support both the club and Harrogate Scrubbers.

Susie Cox from Harrogate Scrubbers

One of the Harrogate Scrubbers volunteers, Susie Cox

Volunteer Susie Cox added:

“I wanted to help out again, as it gave me a sense of purpose last year when we were making the scrubs and I just love the sense of community the group has brought in these times. I am really proud to be part of the group,”

Harrogate Town FC managing director Garry Plant said:

“This has been a great project to be part of and we have really enjoyed the camaraderie and enthusiasm that everyone has put in to providing the kit bags. The team will be absolutely delighted with them.”

Harrogate Town submits plan for new ticket office and turnstiles

Harrogate Town have submitted plans for a new ticket office and turnstiles at the club’s ground on Wetherby Road.

A planning application sent to Harrogate Borough Council outlines proposals to demolish the current ticket office and replace it with a new two-storey facility.

New turnstiles would also be in place at the eastern and western end of Wetherby Road.

The club, which plays Tranmere Rovers tonight, was promoted to the English Football League for the first time in its history last year. 

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As a result, Town have had to put measures in place to abide by the EFL admission criteria. They include a new pitch and increased capacity at the ground.

In documents submitted to the council, the club said the new planning application was necessary because of an increase in office staff and the need for a better flow of supporters on match days.

The application says:

“The proposals will improve the club’s match day offer, the experience for both home and away fans and the playing facilities.

“They will assist in the club’s continued success and growth. Works are programmed to start at the end of the current football season from May 1, 2021.”

The club has also submitted plans for a new two-storey club house and corporate suite.

Three Harrogate Town players test positive for covid

Three Harrogate Town players have tested positive for covid, the club announced before this afternoon’s fixture with Cambridge United.

The trio consists of winger Brendan Kiernan, striker Aaron Martin and defender Ryan Fallowfield.

All three have been regular first team players recently but despite their absence today’s match goes ahead.

Aaron Martin. Pic credit: Harrogate Town

Ryan Fallowfield. Pic credit: Harrogate Town

The club tweeted that the players tested positive in the most recent round of testing and are now isolating. It added:

“All other tests at the club returned negative results and we wish all three a speedy recovery.”

Many of today’s fixtures have been postponed due to the weather but Harrogate’s trip was to high-flying Cambridge is still on.

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Hometown midfielder Jack Emmett leaves Harrogate Town due to illness

Jack Emmett, Harrogate Town’s longest-serving player, is to leave the club to focus on recovering from chronic fatigue.

The 27-year-old, who was born in Harrogate and has played 229 times for the club, has not closed the door on his football career and said he could return if he overcomes his illness. He said:

“It has been an incredible journey and I have loved every minute, but I know this is the right decision for my health moving forward. Hopefully one day I will be able to fully recover and return to the game.”

Emmett, who went to Harrogate Grammar School, spoke to the Stray Ferret ahead of the club’s historic Wembley play-off final last year when he spoke about his footballing upbringing and turning out for Knaresborough Celtic juniors.

His final performance for the club was in the Papa John’s Trophy this season against Leicester City under-23s.

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In 2017/18 Emmett formed a midfield partnership with Josh Falkingham, with whom he was named joint Player’s Player of the Season. The duo helped Town into the National League for the first time.

According to the NHS, chronic fatigue syndrome is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms, the most common being extreme tiredness.

Manager Simon Weaver paid tribute to Emmet and said “the door is always open” for a return.

He said:

“It’s a sad loss for the club and the supporters, Jack has been thrilling to watch over the years, he has always played with a joy and desire to run at people and entertain.

“He was part of first under-17s set up under Mark Forster, who recommended we take a look at him and we would later send him on loan to Forster’s Wetherby side, he was getting kicked all over park but kept getting up, we were so impressed with attitude.

“We kept in touch when he went away to university and were delighted when he returned and would be training full time with us. I remember in pre-season at Thorpe Arch we put him in central midfield against Leeds United and he was waltzing past players, that was a big turning point for him and the club as he went on to play a massive part in us earning promotion from the National League North.

“His recent issue has saddened us all, but we respect his views and that his health is of paramount importance.
“He’s been with me for 11 years here and we have always shared a good bond, I’ll always think highly of Jack and the door is always open for him at Town, he is very much still a part of our family.”