Harrogate Town Thriving under Simon Weaver

Twitter - @jamesAgrayson

Whilst forgetting about their horrendous pitch problems, the progress of Harrogate Town this season under Simon Weaver has been unstated. Town are well on course to reach the Blue Square Bet North play-offs having sneaked under the radar.

It is quite remarkable that Harrogate, currently on a three game winning run, have achieved so much, considering the disruption they have had. I have no problem with the amount of games that have been postponed at Wetherby Road. The amount of rainfall this year has been unprecedented and no-one could have foreseen the problems that have arisen.
But, despite the issues, Town are eighth and four points off the top five with games in hand so Weaver’s men have a great chance of upsetting the applecart.

It has taken four years, but Weaver is now reaping the rewards of patience. He took the job when Neil Aspin and all the players quit because of budget cuts. Town finished bottom of the BSN in Weaver’s first campaign, but he had to cope with a shoestring budget and a revolving door policy on players. 2010-11 was much better with a strong finish. Last season saw Harrogate have a settled squad and only injuries prevented them from finishing higher.

The nucleus of last season’s squad has been retained and this enabled them to compete in the top half. They have not smashed money about either, despite the well-known fact that Weaver’s millionaire father Irving is the chairman. Harrogate have steadily built a squad to compete and their current success is well deserved.

From the pain of relegation four years in his first year in management, Weaver could become Harrogate’s greatest manager having taken them to the FA Cup second round for the first time. Earn promotion out of the BSN and he will earn that title. However, that is getting a bit ahead of ourselves. But Harrogate are a team to watch out for. They have put six past Brackley and Corby this season and after a win against Workington in mid-week, there is clearly more to come. Top five material? Definitely. And to be in with a chance, Weaver jnr deserves a lot of credit.