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.

Harrogate Town reveal plans to welcome fans this weekend

Harrogate Town will open the stadium this weekend to a limited number of fans for the first time since March.

Saturday’s home match against Forest Green Rovers has been designated a test event and the stadium will operate a much lower capacity than usual.

Tickets will not go on general sale. Those with deposits for a season ticket will be able to reserve standing tickets in the main stand and the car park terrace.

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Currently the club has 450 season ticket deposit holders. It will not sell any new season tickets until further notice.

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

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 is awaiting approval from the English Football League, the Sports Ground Safety Authority and local Safety Advisory Group to use the fixture as a test event.

Season ticket deposit holders will receive an email with further details and a follow-up call before Friday.

A spokesperson for the club said:

“We are hopeful that should the test event be a success, we may be able to increase the capacity at future games.

“Supporters unable to attend Saturday’s fixture can continue to watch the action via our streaming service.

“Thank you for your continued patience and support.”

Harrogate Town plans for first match with fans

Harrogate Town are planning for their first match with fans after a surpise announcement from the government.

The club are currently working on safety measures that will inevitably reduce the number of spectators.

In tier two, which Harrogate will be in from next week, large events can go ahead with up to 2,000 spectators outdoors.

However, with smaller grounds like the EnviroVent Stadium it is unlikely that many fans will head through the turnstiles.

Town had been in talks with Scunthorpe United to move the fixture back by a day but it was too short notice for The Iron.

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It may not be a long wait for the first match with fans though. The club has an another home fixture with Forest Green Rovers next Saturday.

Whenever the first match with fans happens it will be a special occasion as the first time supporters will be able to watch their club play in the football league.

Garry Plant, the managing director at Harrogate Town, said:

“Allowing spectators into football grounds has taken everyone by surprise but what a boost.

“It has come with no notice and some clubs still have safety officers on furlough.

“We will release regular updates regarding our progress, ticket distributions and the organisation of matches when we have them.”

Harrogate Town will ultimately need permission from the North Yorkshire safety advisory group, the sports ground safety authority and Public Health England.

The club are working on their plans but said they will lose 1850 capacity immediately to separate the teams and match officials from spectators.

Further capacity reductions will come as a result of terracing and the egress pinch points.

‘Bright day’ for Harrogate Town fans as stadium could reopen soon

Harrogate Town supporters could finally be allowed to watch their next game next month after a painful nine-month absence that saw them miss out on a historic trip to Wembley and their first fixtures in the EFL.

Prime minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that spectators can return to outdoor stadiums depending on which tier they are located in. The club and their supporters will be anxiously awaiting what tier Harrogate will fall into when the announcement is made on Thursday.

The following rules will apply depending on the tier:

Tier 1: Either 4,000 spectators or 50% of a stadium’s capacity, whichever is smaller.

Tier 2: Either 2000 spectators or 50% of a stadium’s capacity, whichever is smaller.

Tier 3: No spectators

The club have averaged around 1,500 supporters for their homes games at Wetherby Road over the last couple of seasons. The capacity is 5,000 after their new Main Stand was built over the summer.

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Town have home fixtures against Forest Green Rovers, Salford City and Carlisle United in December, which could all potentially have spectators.

Harrogate Town managing director said it was a “bright day for supporters” and said he is looking at the fixture against Forest Green Rovers at the EnviroVent Stadium on December 5 as potentially the first game back for fans.

He said:

“We have a home match against Forest Green at The EnviroVent Stadium on December 5 and so we are already reviewing the detail of the announcement and are in discussions with The Sports Ground Safety Authority, North Yorkshire Safety Advisory Group and Harrogate Borough Council on how we make this happen.

“We will advise the number of supporters that we will be able to welcome back, which will be subject to social distancing calculations and how we arrive at which supporters will be offered a place.”

Jordan Ford from the Harrogate Town Supporter’s Group told the Stray Ferret he was “delighted” at yesterday’s announcement.

He said:

“It will be a proud moment to watch our first live game as an EFL club. Everyone is itching to get back, and there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel.”

Harrogate Town supporter Rob Nixon said being able to go back to watch his team play will be a “great relief” after so long away.

He said:

“It’s a shame we couldn’t have been there for the historic first league and cup matches, but this will be a whole new chapter and I’m sure both the players and fans will both be really looking forward to it. I know I am.”

Harrogate Town clarifies stadium rules after complaints from fans

Harrogate Town have released a statement after some fans raised concerns about the number of people allowed in the club’s home ground to watch the team play.

With spectators banned from attending matches due to covid, many fans currently pay £10 to watch a livestream of the game’s fixtures through the club’s website.

As reported by the Stray Ferret last month, some fans have complained on social media about what they considered to be an excessive amount of people in the stands.

Although fans are not permitted to attend fixtures, club directors and staff, media and match volunteers, such as ballboys and girls, are allowed in.

One said it’s “not fair on the fans” and another described it as a “kick in the teeth”.

Newly appointed Supporter Liaison Office (SLO), Phill Holdsworth, and members of the Harrogate Town Supporters Club recently met and the issue was raised.

The club has now released a statement that clarifies who is allowed into the EnviroVent Stadium and urges everyone connected to the club to “stick together”.

It says:

“In these difficult times, we all rise to the challenge and we stick together, players, supporters and staff.”

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The club statement continued:

“These restrictions are frustrating for everyone, supporters and players alike. However, there is a bigger picture and we all have our part to play in controlling the spread of this virus – sport included.

“This includes employees and contractors of the sports ground, for example safety management and facilities management teams, ground staff and catering. EFL guidance states essential personnel permitted to attend matches is also extended to Directors from each Club.

“This also covers accredited media staff, including TV, radio, press, photographers – numbers of which are set by the EFL guidance. We take great care in ensuring that all of the requirements, guidelines and directives are adhered to.”

In an interview with talkSPORT yesterday, sports minister Oliver Dowden raised the prospect of fans returning to football matches before Christmas in areas where coronavirus infection rates are low.

BBC in Harrogate tonight for FA Cup draw coverage

BBC cameras will be in Harrogate tonight as part of its coverage of the FA Cup second round draw.

Presenter Mark Chapman will speak to Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver and chairman Irving Weaver live from the EnviroVent Stadium to get their reaction to the draw as well as discussing their meteoric rise into the English Football League.

Harrogate’s story has captured the imagination of the football world in what has been a bleak year for the sport.

Town beat semi-professional Skelmersdale United 4-1 on Friday night to book their place in the second round and earn £25,500 in prize money.

Harrogate are ball number 21 and another victory would put them into the third round for the first time in their history.

The draw itself will take place in a studio in London from 7pm on BBC2.

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The third round would potentially pit them against Premier League opposition, such as Manchester City, Liverpool or even local favourites Leeds United.

For a more straightforward route to the third round, Town could hope to draw one of the non-league sides that are left in the competition, such as Canvey Island, Marine and Boreham Wood.

But tough fixtures against former Premier League clubs Hull City, Bradford City and Portsmouth could also await.

Town have reached the second round once before. In 2012/13, they agonisingly lost to Hastings on penalties in a second round replay.