SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Liverpool vs. PSG: 20 hrs 13 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
TR
Tranmere Rovers
EFL Cup | First Round
Sep 5, 2020 at 3pm UK
Prenton Park
HT
Harrogate Town

Tranmere
1 - 1
Harrogate

Harrogate win 8-7 on penalties
Vaughan (64')
Spearing (34')
FT
(aet)
Kerry (69')

Simon Weaver: 'Harrogate Town not here to make up the numbers'

:Headline: Simon Weaver: 'Harrogate Town not here to make up the numbers': ID:412898: from db_amp
Town are preparing to play their first competitive game since winning promotion to the Football League.
Simon Weaver: 'Harrogate Town not here to make up the numbers'

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver has warned his side will not just be making up the numbers in Sky Bet League Two this season.

Town play their first competitive game as a Football League club on Saturday at Tranmere in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

They won promotion to the top four divisions by beating Notts County in the National League play-off final at Wembley last month, just three years after going full-time.

"It's going to be a big moment in the club's history," Weaver told the PA news agency. "It will always be remembered as we step foot on to that pitch.

"Wembley was an amazing occasion and that's given us an opportunity now to compete at the next level.

"We can't wait to have a good go at it. It's a thrill to be involved in the cup competitions.

"But we're not just here as the little team from lovely Harrogate who are just going to enjoy the experience. We want to get good results on the board straightaway."

“We're not just here as the little team from lovely Harrogate who are just going to enjoy the experience”
- Simon Weaver

Weaver, appointed as Town's player-boss in 2009 and now the Football League's longest-serving manager at the age of 42, admitted to some doubts ahead of the club's landmark fixture.

"As a manager your concern is whether our success has gone to anyone's head," he said.

"The euphoria of Wembley was only five weeks away. Have we come back too soon? Is it going to be a case after the Lord Mayor's show?

"But so far the signs have been very good. We're a team of grafters. It's been an amazing time and we just want that feelgood factor to continue."

Harrogate celebrate promotion after their victory against Notts County at Wembley (Adam Davy/PA)

Weaver said promotion had not left Harrogate immune to the same financial difficulties which have affected all clubs during the conronavirus pandemic.

"It's been a whirlwind since Wembley because there's been so much to do," he said.

"Trying to sort out the bonuses for the existing lads to start with, because of coronavirus it's been hard, every club has been bleeding.

"But we wanted the players to feel rewarded and at the same time we've had to strengthen the squad."

Midfielders Connor Kirby and Tom Walker, plus defenders Jake Lawlor and Kevin Lokko have been signed since victory over Notts County.

"The skill required is to strengthen what you've already got without changing the dynamic of the squad, which is challenging," Weaver said.

"But I'm happy and hopefully there's room to get a left-back in and maybe an attacking option as well."

amp_article__412898 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-09-04 10:39:26:
html db last update - 2020-09-04 10:39:26 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Simon Weaver

Click here for more stories about Harrogate Town

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall36208865412468
2Bradford CityBradford36199848301866
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster361881053431062
4AFC Wimbledon35179946232360
5Notts County351610953371658
6Port Vale34151364335858
7Crewe AlexandraCrewe36141484437756
8Grimsby Town35175135151056
9Colchester UnitedColchester35121674032852
10Bromley361312114643351
11Salford City351311114337650
12Fleetwood TownFleetwood361213114943649
13Swindon TownSwindon361113125252046
14Cheltenham TownCheltenham351210134650-446
15Chesterfield34129135243945
16BarrowBarrow35127163841-343
17Newport CountyNewport35127164556-1143
18MK Dons35126174650-442
19Gillingham35118163038-841
20Harrogate TownHarrogate36117182945-1640
21Accrington StanleyAccrington3599173954-1536
22Tranmere RoversTranmere36712172755-2833
23Morecambe3685233154-2329
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3569202551-2627
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .