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.”

Frustration as Harrogate Town game abandoned after 10 minutes

Harrogate Town’s game against Carlisle last night was abandoned after just 10 minutes when the referee decided the pitch was unsafe.

The club had asked volunteers to clear snow at its ground on Wetherby Road before a 5pm pitch inspection,

Their efforts appeared to be rewarded when referee Martin Coy agreed to let the match kick off at 745pm.

There was more good news for the 576 home fans when midfielder Connor Kirkby scored in the first minute to give Town the lead — but minutes later the match was abandoned due to the icy conditions.

Manager Simon Weaver described the referee’s decision as “frustrating”. He added:

“At 5.15pm the game was clearly on in the mind of the referee, five minutes after kick-off it didn’t look to be putting players at risk, no one was playing with any trepidation or hesitation, there was no slipping and we felt the condition had actually improved since 5.15pm.

“Our players were happy after the warm-up and it was taking the stud. It’s frustrating because in the summer in pre-season you can play on much harder pitches.

“I feel for the volunteers who have been here all day clearing the snow off the pitch and doing an amazing job. There were fathers, sons, daughters, mums all on the pitch and it just shows what a close knit group of fans we’ve got with us.”

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Jordan Ford, of Harrogate Town Supporters Group, was at the game. He told the Stray Ferret the referee should not have started the match if he had doubts. He said:

“I thought it was ridiculous to even start the game. The conditions didn’t change within the nine minutes the game was being played.

“It’s a shame as we were playing well and on top. At least the supporters got to witness a live goal, albeit it counts for nothing.”

If the Harrogate district is placed in a higher tier today, it would mean last night’s fixture was the final match supporters could attend until restrictions are eased again.

Harrogate Town asks for help clearing snow ahead of tonight’s game

Harrogate Town are appealing to fans to help clear their Wetherby Road pitch in time for tonight’s game against Carlisle.

Snowfall hit Harrogate overnight, covering the grass at Town’s EnviroVent stadium on Wetherby Road.

The game is due to kick off at 7.45pm so there is a race against time to get the snow cleared.

The club has asked volunteers with snow shovels to come to the ground this afternoon to help out.

The club tweeted:

“We would greatly appreciate some volunteers turning up ASAP with snow shovels to help move the snow ahead of tonight’s game.”

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Looking back: Happiness in Harrogate district amid the challenges of 2020

As 2020 draws to a close, the Stray Ferret looks at the news stories that stood out among a year of extraordinary events. 

Today, we look back on some of the highlights of the year when, amid the bleak events, the spirit of the community and individual strength shone through. 

After facing a disrupted end to his school life and an uncertain path ahead, 18-year-old Morgan Glazier decided to set himself a challenge.  

Raising money for mental health charity Mind, he completed a mile to correspond with the date of every day in June. After one mile on the first, two miles on the second and so on, he finished 30 miles on June 30, totalling an incredible 465 miles in the month. 

As a result, he raised more than £9,000 for a charity close to his heart. 

Also raising money, but for a completely different reason, was former Harrogate Grammar School student Harry Pritchard. 

He had secured a place at the prestigious LAMDA drama school in London, but with fees of almost £14,000 feared he would be unable to take it up. Friends and family rallied around – but when Hollywood star Russell Crowe shared the campaign, the money rolled in. 

For football fans, meanwhile, the crowning achievement of the year was Harrogate Town securing promotion to the football league for the first time. They may not have been able to be there for the 3-1 win over Notts County at Wembley, but fans were able to enjoy the occasion when the team held an open top bus parade through town on their return. 

Photo: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town

The football season was able to conclude after a delay during the first lockdown – but many events were not able to proceed as planned. However, communities united to ensure the important dates did not go by unmarked. 

VE Day was a highlight for many, with socially-distanced street parties held across the district. From scarecrows telling a village’s war stories to Ripon Cathedral lit up in red, white and blue, there were plenty of celebrations despite continuing restrictions. 

A special delivery of fish and chips was sent to residents of a Starbeck care home by Drake’s Fisheries, while a war veteran was toasted by his neighbours, who were determined to make him the guest of honour at their celebrations. 

Jack Rushton

For the Stray Ferret, 2020 saw us launch our news site as the pandemic reached the UK in March. Our audience has grown enormously in the last 10 months, and we’re grateful to everyone who has got in touch, told us their story or shared their concerns.  

As the new year approaches, we’re as determined as ever to bring you the most important stories from across the Harrogate district, as well as those chinks of happiness in what can often seem a very gloomy world.  

Please do keep in touch with us about anything you think we should know – you can email our news team at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or call us on 01423 276197. And keep following us for the latest news as it happens via our website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram or LinkedIn. 

Thank you for your support in 2020. We wish all our readers a healthy and happy new year. 

Harrogate Town offer half season tickets for remainder of season

Harrogate Town are offering half season tickets to supporters for the remainder of the club’s fixtures.

Supporters can purchase a limited number of tickets for the remaining 14 home games, starting with the fixture against Carlisle United on December 29.

As the district is currently in tier two, fans can attend games at stadiums with reduced capacity. Town fans made the long awaited return to the Envirovent Stadium against Forest Green Rovers on December 5.

However, the club has said that if the tiers change, anyone who has bought a half season ticket will be entitled to a streaming pass for each home fixture.

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Adult half season tickets cost £175. Concessions cost £125 and under 18s are charged £30.

This option is for anyone who has not already purchased a 2020/21 season ticket deposit.

Standing tickets are available in both the EnviroVent and Car Park Terrace, though availability is extremely limited.

Supporters who have purchased a season ticket deposit and have been attending games will continue to receive an e-ticket for the upcoming fixtures.

Harrogate Town fans gear up for return to Envirovent Stadium

After nine months away, Harrogate Town fans are gearing up for a return to the Envirovent Stadium.

Football supporters have been absent from grounds since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with matches played behind closed doors.

For Town fans, it has meant missing out on the club’s promotion to the Football League for the first time.

Now, the club will welcome back a small amount of fans for the game against Forest Green Rovers tomorrow with social distancing measures in place.

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Jordan Ford, of the Harrogate Town Supporters Club, said he was “itching” to get back in the ground.

He said:

“It’s not the same watching it on TV and it will give us a chance to tell the players well done for last season.

“From a supporters club and all of our members point of view, I think the club have done a sterling job in getting everything sorted. Everything has been clear in terms of updates.”

The government gave the go ahead for fans to return to football grounds as the country returns to a tier system last week.

Saturday’s game will be a test event with around 450 season ticket deposit holders expected to attend.

However, no tickets will be available on general sale.

Only those in tier one or tier two areas will be able to attend the game, ruling out much of the areas surrounding North Yorkshire that are in tier three.

The club has introduced one way systems, hand sanitising areas and signage for spectators.