Harrogate Town‘s longest-serving player, Lloyd Kerry, will retire at the end of the season and join the club’s staff.
The hard-working midfielder, 33, signed from Tamworth in 2014 and has been a key cog in the team’s rise up the divisions and into the English Football League for the first time.
He’s played over 220 times and helped the club win promotion from the National League North and the National League, starting in the memorable Wembley play-off final against Notts County in August 2020.
He lifted a trophy at Wembley again last year in the FA Trophy and manager Simon Weaver said in a statement he will go down as a “club legend” for his achievements and service.
Kerry’s last game will be on the final day of the season when Harrogate Town host Sutton United on May 7.
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He will take up a new role at the club as head of player recruitment, scouting players for the first team and the academy.
Kerry said:
“I look back to when I first joined this football club in 2014 to where it is now eight years on and it’s unbelievable how far we’ve come and the success we’ve had! I’m grateful to have been on that journey which has created so much history for this club, I can always look back with pride of what we achieved together.
“We’ve made memories that will last us a lifetime and to have played my part is something I’ll never forget.”
Chairman, Irving Weaver also paid tribute to the midfielder. He said:
Gas supplier objects to Tesco plans in Harrogate“Together we have enjoyed some great moments, particularly promotions and winning the FA Trophy. Lloyd moves on to a new roll with the club, now responsible for scouting and recruiting new players and he’s already beginning to make his mark, just like he has in 220+ games for Town.”
Northern Gas Networks has submitted an objection on Tesco’s plans to build a new supermarket in Harrogate.
The supermarket giant has lodged proposals to Harrogate Borough Council for a new store on the former gasworks in the New Park area of town.
Northern Gas Networks, which sold the site to Tesco for £2.8 million in 2003, is concerned about the potential impact on Harrogate’s gas supply.
The site of the proposed Tesco.
In its formal objection on the council planning portal, NGN said it retained legal rights on a high pressure pipeline at the site that was “instrumental in supplying gas to the town”. It says the legal rights enable it to prevent any building on or near the length of the pipeline.
The pipe cuts across the north-eastern side of the site from Skipton Road to Oak Beck.
It is standard practice for NGN to object to any plans which are close or over a high pressure pipeline. Its objection aims to ensure the company, which distributes gas to 2.7 million homes in northern England, will be involved in the planning process.
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A spokesperson for Tesco said:
“We will consider all feedback received on our application. We will have further discussions with Harrogate Borough Council about the issues raised.”
Artist impression of how the Tesco will look on Skipton Road.
Tesco has harboured ambitions for a new store in the town for almost 20 years. The retailer previously had plans approved in 2009, but pulled out after opposition from local traders.
Although many people have welcomed the prospect of a new supermarket in the north of Harrogate, some are concerned about traffic plus access to the site.
However, the company has said in transport documents submitted to the council that the site would see fewer car journeys than under previous plans.
Harrogate Fake Festival is set to return this summer after a two-year break due to coronavirus.
Tickets are now live for the Harrogate edition of the event, which will be held on the Stray on July 16. Gates will open at 11.45am and close at 11pm.
The event will feature tribute acts for artists such as The Rolling Stones, Duran Duran, The Killers, Kasabian and Depeche Mode.
Although none of the acts feature the real artists, the organisers said they all “look, sound and move like the real rock-stars”.
The giant marquee will host the bands as well as a licensed bar. Outside revellers will find a variety of food traders as well as children’s activities.
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The event has been held on the Stray every summer since 2015, except for 2019 when it was moved to Killinghall Moor Country Park, and for the last two years, when it was cancelled.
The company Fake Festivals runs similar events across the country during the summer.
A spokesperson for Fake Festivals said:
After skipping two years, we’re chuffed to be back on the Stray for your annual Fake-Fest.
“We’ve rocked with you guys for many-a-year, so we know this’ll be a belter. We really can’t wait for your party-rocking.
“Round up your mates, get the voices ready and polish your dancing shoes – live music is back in town!”
Early-bird adult tickets cost £32.50 and a family of four ticket costs £95. Young people and those with a disability get a discounted rate.
Harrogate back in top three happiest places to live in BritainHarrogate is back in the top three happiest places to live in Great Britain, according to a survey of tens of thousands of residents now in its tenth year.
Property website Rightmove is behind the poll, which measured factors such as community spirit, nature and the opportunity to develop skills locally.
This year’s poll of more than 21,000 people gave the Northumberland market town of Hexham the top spot, Richmond upon Thames in Greater London second place and Harrogate third.
While Harrogate previously topped the “happy at home index” in 2015, the spa town dropped to ninth place in the survey last year.
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Daryll Digpal, the managing director at Beadnall Copley in Harrogate said:
“Harrogate property prices across both lettings and sales markets soaring due to unprecedented demand fuelled by lockdowns and the Chancellor’s Stamp Duty holiday.
“The town boasts a thriving high street with many international retail brands, a booming hospitality industry and excellent state and private schools.
“Furthermore, at its heart is the famous Stray owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, a much enjoyed haven, particularly over the past 18 months.
“As such is it no surprise that this attractive spa town is one of the country’s happiest places to live.”
Where are the happiest place to live in Britain?
- Hexham, North East – average asking price £297,088
- Richmond upon Thames, Greater London – average asking price £1,196,892
- Harrogate, Yorkshire and Humber – average asking price £353,624
- Hove, South East – average asking price £525,906
- Llandrindod Wells, Wales – average asking price £193,601
- Stirling, Scotland – average asking price £191,226
- Monmouth, Wales – average asking price £312,649
- St Ives, South West – average asking price £494,393
- Anglesey, Wales – average asking price £278,391
- Leamington Spa, West Midlands – average asking price £350,981
- Perth, Scotland – average asking price £167,160
- Hitchin, East of England – average asking price £491,223
- Woodbridge, East of England – average asking price £427,542
- Kendal, North West – average asking price £258,961
- Macclesfield, North West – average asking price £277,772
- Exeter, South West – average asking price £303,215
- Salisbury, South West – average asking price £318,806
- Horsham, South East – average asking price £433,892
- St Albans, East of England – average asking price £632,320
- Guildford, South East – average asking price £542,947
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.