BT Sport to broadcast Harrogate Town documentary tonight

Harrogate Town’s fairytale ascent into the English Football League will be the subject of a major TV documentary tonight.

Proud To Be Town will be premiered on BT Sport at 10pm and will be available on the BT Sport app on Saturday.

BT Sport is billing the 90-minute programme as the first full-length documentary to highlight the “profound impact” of the Covid pandemic on football.

Filming for the documentary began in June when the club began preparing for the National League playoffs after the season had been curtailed in March due to the lockdown. Town went on to win a historic Wembley playoff final against Notts County 3-1 in August.

The behind-the-scenes film traces the club’s exploits on the pitch as well as exploring how coronavirus hit the club’s finances.

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Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said:

“This is not just the story of one club. It reflects aspects of almost every football club in the country amid the Covid pandemic.

“A large proportion of the film was self-shot by members of the team and club staff on phones and tablets, who enthusiastically recorded their experiences of lockdown, getting back into action and making their historic bid for promotion.

“We are grateful for the club’s collaboration.”

Harrogate Town prepare for another trip to Wembley

Harrogate Town are preparing for a second trip to Wembley after reaching the FA Trophy Final.

Town clinched a place in the final after beating Notts County 1-0 at Meadow Lane last night.

Will Smith got the only goal of the game to defeat County as both sides met again just over a month since the National League Play-Off Final, which Harrogate also won.

Town will now play Concord Rangers at Wembley in the final, though a date is yet to be confirmed.

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The victory followed an announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a phased return of fans in October would be paused.

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The FA had planned to hold both the FA Trophy and FA Vase Finals with up to 1,000 fans in attendance on September 27, but postponed the games earlier this month amid a rise in coronavirus cases.

Town boss, Simon Weaver, said he hoped to see supporters back in stadiums when they play in the final.

“We have had some difficult games along the way, but it was so important tonight that we did it for the supporters.

“Hopefully when it is Wembley time they will be allowed back in the stadiums.

“We said in the team talk ‘do it for the supporters tonight’.”

Meanwhile, Irving Weaver, chairman of Harrogate Town, said yesterday that clubs would reach a “cliff edge scenario” if a return of fans is delayed further.

He said:

“From mid-March through a normal close season we were helped by furloughing our employees. Now back into full swing anticipating fans returning, the black hole is upon us. Around thirty percent of a club’s total income is derived through the turnstiles. Without a subsidy the pain will be severe.

“I know that the government are well aware of the situation. Let us hope that there is help on the way, not just for football but for spectator sport in general.”

Harrogate Town faces ‘cliff edge’, warns chairman

Harrogate Town and other football clubs face a “cliff edge scenario” if fans are not allowed back into stadiums for six months, Town’s chairman has warned.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson put plans for fans to return at the start of October on hold today when he announced further restrictions to tackle rising coronavirus infections.

Supporters were due to return to grounds in small numbers, with some Football League clubs trialling 1,000 fans at games last weekend.

Irving Weaver, Town chairman, has said his club and others could experience “severe pain” if their loss of income is not subsidised.

He said:

“Today’s statement by the Prime Minister was not unexpected but if there is a further six months delay before we can allow fans into our stadiums then we are running into a cliff edge scenario.

“From mid-March through a normal close season we were helped by furloughing our employees. Now back into full swing anticipating fans returning, the black hole is upon us. Around thirty percent of a club’s total income is derived through the turnstiles. Without a subsidy the pain will be severe.

“I know that the government are well aware of the situation. Let us hope that there is help on the way, not just for football but for spectator sport in general.”

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Mr Johnson told MPs it would not be possible for fans to return to stadiums from 1 October. He added:

“I recognise the implications for our sports clubs, which are the life and soul of our communities.

“The Chancellor and the Culture Secretary are working urgently on what we can do now to support them.”

The Prime Minister added the restrictions could remain in place for six months.

Shrewsbury Town were among those to take part in a pilot last weekend with 1,000 supporters present for the first time since March.

Harrogate Town kids coaching centre closes after covid case

Harrogate Town Football Club has closes its player development centre for two weeks following a positive case of coronavirus.

The player development centre works with children aged between four and 15 to offer football coaching and support. The club was told yesterday one of its members had tested positive.

The club has confirmed only the development centre has been affected and its first team’s game against Notts County tonight is unaffected.

In a statement, Harrogate Town, said:

“Yesterday we received formal confirmation that one member of our Player Development Centre has tested positive for Covid-19.

“All players and staff in attendance who may have come into contact with the player have been informed, and appropriate government guidance followed. As a precautionary measure we have decided to close the PDC for 14 days. There have been no other confirmed cases within the PDC or any area of the club.”

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Yesterday, a further seven cases of coronavirus were reported in the district.

In the past week, the Stray Ferret has reported five schools in Harrogate have confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Today the Prime Minister announced that indoor team sport would be banned in an attempt to avoid a full lockdown.

Match preview: West Bromwich Albion vs Harrogate Town

Harrogate Town continue to break new ground this evening when they travel to Premier League West Bromwich Albion in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

The game at the Hawthorns will be the first time Harrogate have played a club from the top tier of English football in a competitive fixture.

It will also be the first time they’ve played live in front of the Sky Sports cameras. The match kicks off at 6pm.

Harrogate sealed their place in the second round when they beat Tranmere Rovers on penalties this month and they’ve continued to look impressive in the early stages of the new season.

The team made a dream start to life as an English Football League club on Saturday when they thrashed Southend United 4-0 away from home, with two goals from Jack Muldoon and a goal apiece from Lloyd Kerry and Aaron Martin.

However, West Brom will be a different proposition entirely as their squad is littered with internationals. The Baggies finished second to Leeds in last season’s Championship, earning promotion to the Premier League.

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic is expected to make changes from the side that lost 0-3 to Leicester City at the weekend. Experienced striker Charlie Austin is pushing for a start and winger Matt Phillips could also return to the side after an injury.

Harrogate manager Simon Weaver will be tempted to name the same team that beat Southend at the weekend, which saw four new signings on the substitutes bench.

Where to watch the match on TV

Pubs confirmed to be showing the game live in Harrogate tonight include The Empress, The Harrogate Arms, and The Alexandra. Fans are encouraged to book a table ahead of the game.

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Harrogate return to football league action on Saturday with a home tie against Walsall, which will be played at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium due to Town laying grass at the newly renamed EnviroVent stadium.

The EFL invited clubs to apply to pilot the return of fans to this weekend’s fixtures, with 1,000 supporters permitted at matches.

But Harrogate told the Stray Ferret they didn’t apply because Doncaster’s stadium operations manager is currently absent from work on sick leave.

Harrogate Town sign defender Dan Jones and keeper Melvin Minter

Simon Weaver has bolstered his squad with two new signings ahead of Town’s first-ever League Two fixture at 3pm this afternoon.

Left sided defender Dan Jones has signed on a season long loan from Salford, keeper while Melvin Minter arrives on a short-term contract.

Jones, who can play at either centre back or left back spent two seasons at Barrow before the 25-year-old joined Salford last season, then being sent back to Holker Street on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Born in County Durham, the 6ft tall defender started his career at Hartlepool in the Football League, before spending time at Grimsby, Gateshead and Fylde before signing with Barrow at the start of the 2017/18 season.

During his time at Barrow Jones accumulated over 75 appearances for The Bluebirds, also making the 2018/19 National League Team of the Season.

Jones has also been involved with the England C team. He made his debut on 20th March 2018 when starting in a 3–2 away win over Wales.

On joining Harrogate Town, Jones said:

“I’m over the moon to finally get the deal done, speaking to the gaffer and to Thirs I couldn’t wait to get it done.

“Everything they’ve said, the way they portray the club and the lads I’m delighted to be involved.”

Jones is eligible for todays fixture against Southend and is hoping to add quality to the Town side:

“I want to play as many games as possible and help the lads as much as I can. I like to play left back as I like to get on the ball and get forward. I’m quite quick and like the battle of the one v one.”

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Goalkeeper Melvin Minter joins the Town squad with over 100 senior appearances under his belt.

The 25-year-old has played with semi-professional sides Hanwell Town, Harrow Borough, Whitehawk FC and most recently Kings Langley in the Southern Football League.

The London born keeper spent time at Brentford as a youngster, training with the first team and featuring for the U21 side before leaving at the start of the 2013/14 season.

Jones will wear the number three shirt for the 2020/21 season, while Minter will wear number 25.

 

Harrogate Town 2020/21 season preview: the fairytale continues

Harrogate Town’s fairytale summer continues tomorrow as they kick off their first-ever campaign in the football league at Southend United.

The Harrogate Town story has captured the imagination of the wider footballing world, with manager Simon Weaver interviewed on BBC Breakfast, the Guardian and BT Sport — but the time for basking in the glory of Town’s Wembley win is now over with League Two, League Cup and FA Trophy fixtures coming up thick and fast.

There are some big dates in the diary approaching, including a trip to Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup on Wednesday. They then play Notts County away on Thursday in the FA Trophy semi-final, with the winner going on to play at Wembley.

Other key fixtures for the season include Bradford City away on October 11 and a trip to Bolton Wanderers on April 10.

The club’s first few home games will be played at Doncaster Rovers due to Town’s 3G pitch being relayed at the newly-renamed EnviroVent Stadium.

New signings

Weaver has strengthened his promotion-winning team, picking up four new signings: Connor Kirby from Sheffield Wednesday, Jake Lawlor from Wrexham, Tom Walker from Fylde, and Kevin Lokko from Dover. But the club failed in their pursuit of Chester left-back Joel Taylor, which stung.

Weaver admitted to the Stray Ferret last month that players have increased their wage demands now they are a football league club so he will have to box clever in the transfer market.

More signings are mooted, and fans are hoping that last season’s on-loan star winger Jack Diamond will be replaced, as it now looks like he’ll be part of Sunderland’s plans this season.

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The Weaver factor

Harrogate will fancy their chances of staying in the league. None of the last 20 teams to gain promotion from the National League were relegated from League Two in their first campaign, with some, including Luton Town and Burton Albion, going on the play in the Championship.

The bookmakers expect Town to finish comfortably mid-table in 14th and they are even a short-priced 8/1 to gain promotion. Unlike the National League, four teams have the chance to win promotion to League One.

The job Weaver has done at Harrogate since taking over in 2009 has not gone unnoticed, and a good start in the league will doubtless see bigger clubs taking an interest in him.

Harrogate Town’s ground renamed ‘EnviroVent Stadium’

Harrogate Town’s stadium on Wetherby Road has been renamed the EnviroVent Stadium ahead of the new season kicking off next week.

EnviroVent is a Harrogate-based manufacturer of ventilation equipment to homes and social housing, employing over 230 people at its Hornbeam Business Park headquarters.

The firm has a long-standing relationship with the club and has sponsored a stand for the past seven seasons.

2020 marks 100 years since the opening of the stadium, which was previously known as the CNG Stadium.

EnviroVent’s managing director Andy Makin said:

“We are delighted to extend our sponsorship of the club and obtain the naming rights. We are extremely proud of our local club, they have come very far over the past few years and have achieved so much recently.

“The club is an important part of the local community and it’s an honour to be able to play a part in its journey at this monumental time.”

A new main stand was recently constructed at the ground with close to 1,000 seats, boosting capacity to 5,000.

Garry Plant, managing director at Harrogate Town, added:

“We would like to thank EnviroVent for their continued support and look forward to working to making them proud!”

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The first few home games of the season will be played at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium as Harrogate’s artificial 3G pitch is replaced with grass due to English Football League regulations.

The club aims to be back at its ground by early October.

The club kick-off their first-ever campaign as an EFL club with a trip to Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Cup on Saturday.

Harrogate Town could be heading to Wembley….again!

Harrogate Town are one game away from playing at Wembley for the second time in two months — and this time fans would be able to enjoy a special day out.

The government confirmed that last season’s FA Trophy final at Wembley will go ahead on September 27 as a pilot event for the safe return of fans to sporting events.

Town are due to play Notts County, who they beat in the National League play-off final 3-1, in a one-legged semi-final with the winner going on to play the winner of Halesowen Town vs Concord Rangers. A draw will take place to decide whether Town’s semi-final will take place at Doncaster Rovers, which will be hosting Harrogate Town until their new grass pitch is laid, or Notts County. The date is to be confirmed.

The government has not said how many supporters Town could bring if they reach the final, but non-league grounds were opened last weekend with an initial 15% capacity, which will rise to 30% from Monday, August 31.

As Wembley has a capacity of 90,000, it could potentially mean all Town fans who want to attend would be able to if the government allows the stadium to be 30% full.

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It was uncertain whether the FA Trophy would be finished when the season was curtailed in March due to the lockdown. The government warned that the fans pilot could not happen if coronavirus rates rise.

Harrogate Town supporter Rob Nixon told the Stray Ferret that having another chance to go to Wembley would be a “dream”.

He said:

“Being able to go watch us play at Wembley would be a dream for all town fans, especially after missing out last time round. We still have a tricky tie against Notts County to negotiate, but it’s a huge incentive for the players knowing that they’ll get to play in front of a crowd this time if they win.”

On Tuesday, Harrogate Town supporters were able to watch their team play in person for the first time since March as Brighouse Town allowed 100 Town supporters to attend a pre-season friendly, which ended 0-0.

Harrogate Town to stream games online for £10 a game

Harrogate Town supporters will be able to watch the club’s fixtures in League Two online for £10 a game.

The EFL said the streaming offer is temporary and will be in place whilst clubs operate at a zero or reduced capacity due to social distancing measures. It will cover any game that is not shown live by Sky Sports and the service will be reviewed in early October.

The government has said a limited number of fans can return to sports stadiums from October 1, subject to coronavirus infection rates.

Harrogate Town said they have decided to not include the streaming service in a season ticket, and will rather encourage supporters to purchase games as they wish for £10. Season ticket holders will not be charged for games they can’t attend.

EFL chief executive David Baldwin said:

“It’s important that whilst the doors remain fully, or part shut, we ensure there is the ability for fans of all EFL clubs to be able to gain access and watch their team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sky Sports for their support in this matter.

“Collectively, it’s not our preferred situation but given the circumstances covid has presented us it gives us a temporary option whilst we finalise our plans for fans returning.”

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Town’s first-ever campaign in League Two kicks off on September 12 with a trip to Southend.

The first few home games of the season will be played at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium as the artificial 3G pitch at the CNG Stadium is replaced with grass due to EFL regulations.

Harrogate Town supporters were able to watch their team play in person for the first time since March last night as Brighouse Town allowed 100 Town supporters to attend a pre-season friendly, which ended 0-0.