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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WATCH: Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver on a ‘whirlwhind’ few weeks
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Thousands line streets for Harrogate Town’s open-top bus parade
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 gameHarrogate 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.
WATCH: Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver on a ‘whirlwhind’ few weeksHarrogate Town manager Simon Weaver said this morning’s League Two fixtures announcement “brought home” the scale of the club’s historic promotion to the English Football League.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret this afternoon, Weaver described the weeks since their Wembley triumph on August 2 as a “whirlwind”.
Fixtures for the upcoming EFL campaign were released this morning and Town fans can now prepare for trips to the likes of Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers.
Watch our interview with him below:
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Town will make the 220 mile trip to Roots Hall to play Southend on September 12 for their opening fixture in League Two.
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 to play Southend in first ever EFL fixtureHarrogate Town will play Southend United in their first ever game in the Football League.
Fixtures for the upcoming EFL campaign were released this morning and Town fans can now prepare for trips to the likes of Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers.
Town will make the 220 mile trip to Roots Hall to play Southend on September 12 for their opening fixture in League Two.
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.
The club will welcome Walsall to the Keepmoat on September 19. Town will then play Port Vale away before welcoming former Premier League side Bolton Wanderers to the Keepmoat on October 3.
A Yorkshire derby awaits a week later away at Bradford on October 10. The first ever EFL campaign for Town will end away at Cheltenham Town on May 8.
Manager Simon Weaver said he and the players are looking forward to the season getting underway.
He said:
“It’s a long way to go, but we all get along so will enjoy the trip and look forward to what is a really big fixture for us in Southend away, the start of an intriguing season for us.
“It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for all the staff and players, there’s been so much to sort in such a short space of time, but when the excitement levels are high we manage it and look forward to the prospect of competing in the Football League.”
“You look right down the fixture list and it is new territory for us all, we have to learn fast, stay together and ride the punches at times, who knows where we may end up at the end of the season!”
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Just weeks after celebrating promotion, Town also learned of the cup competitions which await them in the Football League.
Earlier this week, the group stage for the EFL Cup was drawn and Town will be pitted against Hull City, Grimsby Town and Leicester City Under 21s in Northern Group H.
A trip to Prenton Park against Tranmere in the Carabao Cup also awaits. The competition is expected to host first round fixtures on September 5.
Harrogate Town to begin new season in three weeksHarrogate Town will begin the 2020/21 season on September 5 in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
The team have not had long to bask in promotion glory and will play again on September 8 or 9 in the EFL Cup before kicking off their first-ever campaign in League Two on September 12.
The season will conclude on 8/9 May 2021 with the play-off final taking place at Wembley Stadium over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend May 29-31 2021.
Because the season is starting six weeks later than usual there will be 11-midweek fixtures.
If the team wins their first-round Carabao Cup clash on September 5 it would put them into the hat for a mouth-watering tie with Premier League outfits Manchester City, Liverpool and newly promoted Leeds United.
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Manager Simon Weaver has been busy in the transfer market since their historic win at Wembley less than two weeks ago, adding Jake Lawlor, Tom Walker and Connor Kirby in recent days.
Town fans are anxiously awaiting the announcement of who they will play in the league next season which will be released by the EFL on August 21 at 9am.
Town will play the first few games of the season at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium due to the artificial 3G pitch at the CNG Stadium being replaced with grass due to EFL regulations.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret last week about the 3G pitch being replaced, Town managing director Garry Plant said “it’s time to say goodbye to a very old friend that’s done brilliantly for the club.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed yesterday that fans can begin to return to football stadiums from October 1, pending no spikes in coronavirus infections.
Harrogate Town bolsters squad with two new signingsHarrogate Town have announced Jake Lawlor and Connor Kirby will join the club as they prepare for their first-ever campaign in the English Football League.
The two players will join Simon Weaver’s history-making squad who celebrated their promotion with an open-top bus parade on Saturday through Harrogate.
Centre back Lawlor, aged 29, joins on a free transfer after his contract expired with Wrexham at the end of the season. The 6ft 4in Lawlor started his career at Osset Town before spells with Guiseley and Town’s local neighbours Harrogate Railway,
As well as scoring against Town during his time at Guiseley, Lawlor started both fixtures for Wrexham home and away against Town this season and is familiar to manager Simon Weaver.
Weaver said:
“I’ve liked Jake for years, he’s a good player and to add someone of Jake’s experience still with that hunger to improve is a real lift.”
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Connor Kirby who signs on a free transfer.
Midfielder Connor Kirby joins on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday after being named runner-up player of the season during a loan spell at fellow League Two outfit Macclesfield Town.
Weaver described him as a “really energetic midfielder”.
He said:
‘The plastic revolution is over and grass is going down’- CNG stadium prepares for EFL“He’s local, talented lad and will do well here I’m sure – getting the right characters in means everything to us.”
“He’s a really energetic centre midfielder who is willing to break forward and put a tackle in, a good all-round, honest, hungry and talented lad.
“He has already shown he can do it in League Two and he’ll attack it with confidence; as soon as I met him I thought he would be a great fit for us.”
Harrogate Town’s 3G pitch is being replaced with grass as the club prepare to play in the EFL for the first time.
Synthetic surfaces are not permitted in League Two, so Town is now in the process of changing back to turf in order to be allowed to compete in the EFL.
The new ground is expected to cost a hefty total of around £200k to complete.
Garry Plant, managing director at the club told the Stray Ferret that it’s a “great shame” that it has to go:
“The EFL criteria says we have to play on grass so the plastic revolution is over and grass will be going down. It’s a bag of mixed feelings… it’s a great feeling to promoted, but this pitch has been amazing for the club, one of the best things we ever did and I just wish we could leave it down…
“It’s time off the pitch and so many teams train here, but it’s time to say goodbye to a very old friend that’s done brilliantly for the club.”
Turf delivery to CNG Stadium
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It is full steam ahead with the work at the stadium to be finished by the October 10 – though the new season starts on the weekend of Saturday, September 12. Town will ground share with Doncaster Rovers until the new pitch is finished.