Harrogate Town Season Preview 2021/22: Simon’s Weavering his magic

Harrogate’s first season in the Football League was a complete success. Apart from a brief spell between March and April, they never looked in danger of being dragged into trouble and coped well with the step up from the National League.

Simon Weaver signed a new contract this summer which will take him into his twelfth year as manager having first been appointed to the role in May 2009 and boy has he done a brilliant job.

The club were struggling in the sixth-tier before Weaver and his father Irving arrived, but they have been on an upward trajectory ever since. Yes, there has been investment but it has been in the right areas, has been proportionate and the club still retains its strong links with the local community.

Last season they looked very comfortable but struggled when with the condensed schedule, especially when injuries hit them hard. They were able to reload with some good additions in January, utilising the loan market particularly well, and never looked back.

They finished the campaign in 17th spot which is decent enough when you consider that gave them a 12 point cushion from the relegation spots.

The summer has seen the side make some considered changes without ripping the heart out of a squad that helped them achieve their historic promotion.

They will also be able to start the season in Harrogate, something they couldn’t do last year due to a grass pitch being required to play in the EFL. They did fine at Doncaster’s Keepmoat but the new playing surface at Wetherby Road was not given a lot of time to bed in making it difficult to play on.

With supporters being able to return and watch their side play a full season in League Two, it should be a special campaign for Town and based upon their performance in 2020/21, it could be a lot of fun.

The Squad

There have not been a lot of changes this summer but upgrades were needed in certain areas. Mark Oxley is an interesting addition in net. The Southend stalwart was part of the side that suffered relegation last season and a new start was probably needed. He will have stiff competition from Joe Cracknell.

Rory McArdle arrives in the heart of the backline from Exeter. The experienced defender is a top professional and he’ll certainly add some know-how to a side that were, at times, a little naive last season while Nathan Sheron joins from Fleetwood.

The midfield has been bolstered with the signing of Alex Pattison from Wycombe. The former Middlesbrough man appeared six times for the Chairboys in the Championship during the 2020/21 campaign.

Danilo Orsi was plucked out of non-league and is an intriguing signing. He was highly thought of at Maidenhead and it will be interesting to see how he does in League Two.

Jack Muldoon was Harrogate’s best player for much of last season but they relied too heavily on him to score the goals. Luke Armstrong has been signed from Salford to help relieve that burden and joins an attack that still consists of target men Aaron Martin.

Newcomer to watch: Lewis Page

Lewis Page is a quality player for the level and, frankly, could ply his trade in a higher division. If it wasn’t for his injuries he surely would be. The former West Ham youth product has played at Coventry and Charlton in the past before moving to Devon.

Harrogate have done well to get the left-back from Exeter where he did really well last season and, if fit, will be one of Town’s best players in 2021/22.

Verdict

There is no club with more stability in the dugout than Harrogate Town. People might suggest it is because the manager’s father owns the club, but you cannot deny this is a team that have progressed year on year. They are unlikely to challenge for a place in the top seven but neither should they be too concerned about struggling near the bottom. Another solid year head for Town.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football