Harrogate Town to kick-off season with Yorkshire derby

Harrogate Town will begin the 2023/24 English Football League Division Two season with a Yorkshire derby at Doncaster Rovers on August 5.

Town, who today announced Motherwell midfielder Dean Cornelius, 22, as their sixth summer signing, will then entertain Forest Green Rovers in the first home league fixture of the season on August 12.

Today’s fixture list also revealed the other all-Yorkshire clashes will see Simon Weaver’s men visit Bradford City on Saturday, September 16, before Doncaster Rovers visit the EnviroVent Stadium on Saturday, January 6. The home fixture against Bradford City is scheduled for March 23.

Wrexham, co-owned by Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds, are due in town in November 28 — a Tuesday night.

Christmas in Grimsby

The festive fixture list starts with a trip to Grimsby on Saturday, December 23, before a home match against Accrington Stanley on Boxing Day.

Three days later Harrogate, who finished 19th last season, host Tranmere Rovers, before a New Year’s Day trip to face Morecambe.

Today’s new signing Dean Cornelius

Good Friday sees the side travel to AFC Wimbledon, before an Easter Monday home clash with Gillingham.

The final home fixture of the season takes place on Saturday, April 20 when MK Dons visit Harrogate for the first time.

The final away fixture is at Salford City on Saturday, April 27.

Town’s 2023/24 EFL Trophy Group has also been confirmed, with the club drawn in Group C along with Carlisle United, Accrington Stanley and Nottingham Forest under-21s.

The draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup was also made, with Town set to host Carlisle the week commencing August 7.

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Harrogate Town set for Christmas cracker against Bradford

Harrogate Town will travel to Bradford for a Christmas Yorkshire derby.

Today’s fixture list revealed that Town will start with a home match against Swindon Town on August 30.

They will also end the season with a home game, against Rochdale on May 6.

But most Harrogate fans will have looked first for the matches against Yorkshire rivals Bradford City, against whom Town did the double last season.

Valley Parade Bradford

Valley Parade holds up to 25,000 fans.

Simon Weaver’s men will entertain the Bantams on October 1. The return fixture will take place at Valley Parade on December 29, when a bumper festive crowd is likely.

The two teams played twice in 16 days last season. After defeating Bradford 2-0 at the EnviroVent Stadium, Harrogate then came from behind to win 3-1 in a thrilling encounter in Bradford.

Former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes was named as Bradford’s new manager shortly after that game.

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The only other Yorkshire team in League Two of the English Football League is relegated Doncaster Rovers.

Town will travel to the Eco-Power Stadium on December 17 then Doncaster will come to Harrogate on April 15.

The dates of fixtures are liable to change.

Over 500 Harrogate Town fans heading to Bradford tonight

About 550 Harrogate Town fans will watch their team face Bradford City tonight in a Yorkshire derby at Valley Parade.

It’s one of the most hotly anticipated games in Harrogate Town history, especially after last season’s fixture was played behind closed doors due to covid restrictions. It’s the most away tickets sold for a Harrogate Town game in their 103-year history.

Bradford’s ground has a capacity of 25,000. Despite languishing in League Two of the English Football League, the 1911 FA Cup winners average crowds of 15,700 this year.

Over 222 fans will travel by coaches arranged by Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Club.

It’s a chance for Simon Weaver’s men to do the double over their rivals, after beating them 2-0 at the EnviroVent Stadium on February 5.

The Bantams sacked manager Derek Adams following the fixture and are yet to appoint a replacement.

Speaking yesterday, Weaver said:

“[This season has been] our first experience as a football league club with big crowds so there’s none bigger than tomorrow. It’s a big ground, great set up and a fantastic football club that we’re visiting so hopefully we will come out on top for the fans.”

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Town have not played since last Tuesday’s 4-3 heartbreak away at Exeter City — a match Town led 3-1.

A home game against Leyton Orient was postponed on Saturday due to the snow. It’s been rescheduled for Tuesday March 22.

Tickets for tonight’s game are still available, with Harrogate Town fans able to pay at the gate by scanning a QR code.

https://twitter.com/officialbantams/status/1496077312344956934?s=20&t=dxsc-aD4mGVH0CMS8WHiKg

Harrogate Town set for Bradford derby day showdown

Harrogate Town are set to face off against Bradford City today in the first Yorkshire derby of the season.

Simon Weaver’s men go into the game following a hard fought point against Mansfield Town on Tuesday night.

The two sides face each other for the first time after the fixture at Valley Parade was postponed on Boxing Day.

A bumper crowd is expected at the Envirovent Stadium as both teams look set to face each other twice in just over a fortnight.

Speaking to the media ahead of today’s game, Weaver said:

“We’re really looking forward to this fixture and been looking forward to it all season. We like the derby games, getting stuck into to the heat of the battle and they don’t come any bigger for us at this level than Bradford City.

“We’ve enjoyed them over the years, the battles with York City and now at this level we’re playing against the likes of Bradford with their rich history and the fanbase, they’ll bring in lots of fans.”

Simon Weaver after the win against Rochdale on the opening game of the season. Picture: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town.

Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town manager. Picture: Matt Kirkham, Harrogate Town.

Weaver confirmed that centre-back Rory McArdle and Lewis Richards face fitness tests after picking up injuries against Mansfield.

Ryan Fallowfield and Simon Power remain sidelined with injury.

Bradford looking to avenge last season

Meanwhile, Bradford head into the fixture just three points above Town in the League Two table.

The Bantams will be looking to avenge the two defeats they suffered at the hands of Harrogate last season.

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Bradford can expect a strong support at Wetherby Road after fans sold out their 550 ticket allocation within a minute.

City will be without Charles Vernam and Dion Pereira. But Nathan Delfouneso could make his debut and Luke Hendrie is available for selection.

Jamie Walker is also fit, despite going off injured against Leyton Orient.

Bradford manager Derek Adams said his side will be prepared for the occasion at Harrogate.

He said:

“We are looking forward to it, but we have to understand the environment of the game.

“We have a full capacity away crowd with us and they have a good following too. The atmosphere will be good.

“Harrogate have done really well since they have come up and will want to beat us, but we are going there to win the game.”