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When Harrogate and football are mentioned in the same sentence, the naturally assumed link is that it is where Leeds United players live.
And the odd Middlesbrough player too, presumably, considering it’s where Gareth Southgate calls home.
What doesn’t usually spring to mind – among the lavish and picturesque properties dotted around the town – is an actual football team, and one that is bursting to get into the EFL. After years toiling in non-league anonymity, Harrogate Town are on the brink of promotion to League Two.
And it comes just two years after promotion to the National League, and three years after Town went professional to help achieve that promotion.
Harrogate’s recent rise has been intertwined with the Weaver family, with Simon Weaver the long standing manager while his father Irving owns the club.
Weaver junior first arrived at Town in 2009 after a playing career in the lower leagues. He initially took over as player manager, and for a number of years oversaw the Sulphurites’ relegation battles in the Conference North (now the National League North).
In fact, his first season as boss saw an imminent relegation before being saved after Northwich Victoria were relegated due to financial troubles.
Then in 2011, Irving Weaver – millionaire owner of property company Strata Homes – took the club over to complete the father-son duo in charge of the club.
With the resources now available, it is slightly surprising that it took a further six years before Town went full time. And barring a few notable signings, much of their recruitment has been focused on non-league rather than picking up players from the EFL.
Their latest addition is Aaron Martin from Yorkshire rivals Guiesely, who had racked up a total of 17 goals in the National League North this season. He made his first appearance against Boreham Wood in the playoff semi final.
There has been investment into the stadium over the past few years, with the development of two new stands at Wetherby Road as well as the addition of a 3G pitch since Irving Weaver took over.
The ground developments are modern but modest, with a capacity at somewhere over 4000 not overestimating attendances. And the 3G pitch looks to have been a shrewd investment – being available to hire to help create a new income stream for the club.
The pitch will have to be replaced by grass, though, should the club be promoted to League Two, making hiring it out virtually impossible. But overall, Harrogate seem in a good position to make the jump into the EFL.
On the pitch, they are an exciting prospect.
Town play in an intense way, particularly for a club at their level. They press the opposition hard and move the ball forward quickly and on the deck.
Josh Falkingham in midfield is key, providing technical quality and a fierce aggression from the holding position, despite his small stature at 5’6. Warren Burrell also provides plenty of energy and dynamism from midfield.
Up front, they have the experienced Jack Muldoon providing energy and plenty of goals as well as Jack Diamond on loan from Sunderland, bringing pace and technical quality in attack. They also have experienced target man Jon Stead to rely on, who still brings some star quality along with his physical presence.
They are one of the more exciting sides in the division, although one potential concern is should they be promoted, they will need to adapt their style of play to grass pitches.
At home, Harrogate are second in the league still behind Barrow. Away from home, they slip down to seventh. 40 out of their 66 points (almost two thirds) have come at home, compared 26 away.
Harrogate’s fast and slick style is somewhat facilitated by their consistently smooth pitch. It will never have the same bumps and divots as most other lower league grounds.
Investing in a good grass pitch seems like a given should Town go up, but there will have to be some adaptation (particularly at Bradford and Tranmere away). But with some good coaching and recruitment, there’s no reason as to why they wouldn’t be able to adapt.
Should the Sulphurites make it to the promised land of the EFL, they will be a very tough prospect for League Two clubs.
Barrow look to be a fine addition to League Two, and have been positive with their recruitment already. Should Harrogate Town be successful on Sunday, they will be another excellent addition to an already competitive league.
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