ISSUE TWO SPRING 2021
ABOUT
T WN
PLAYER INTERVIEWS CONNOR HALL RYAN FALLOWFIELD JAMES BELSHAW WARREN BURRELL JAKE LAWLOR
PHILL HOLDSWORTH SUPPORTER LIAISON OFFICER
PLUS
XMAS HEAD TENNIS JON STEAD HARVEY WATSON TOWN SUPERFAN THE GAFFER’S FESTIVE QUESTIONS CEDAR COURT HOTEL HRH GROUP HARROGATE TIPPLE AND SO MUCH MORE...
MEET OUR JANUARY RECRUITS
Josh March, Josh McPake, Simon Power, William Hondermarck, Jay Williams, Mitchell Roberts, Josh Andrews
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About Town I 1
Contents Spring 2021
4 I CONNOR HALL
28 I HARROGATE TIPPLE LOCAL SUCCESS STORY
10 I TOWN’S NEW JANUARY RECRUITS
30 I WARREN BURRELL PLAYER INTERVIEW
PLAYER INTERVIEW INC. VIDEO FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
13 I HARVEY WATSON - TOWN SUPERFAN VIDEO FEATURE
14 I RYAN FALLOWFIELD PLAYER INTERVIEW 20 I CEDAR COURT HOTEL INTERVIEW WITH STEVEN NEWBY
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
35 I PHILL HOLDSWORTH TOWN SUPPORTER LIAISON OFFICER VIDEO FEATURE 36 I HARROGATE’S HOTEL RICHES SIMON COTTON, MD OF HRH GROUP 38 I JAKE LAWLOR PLAYER INTERVIEW
22 I JAMES BELSHAW PLAYER INTERVIEW
43 I JON STEAD VIDEO FEATURE
27 I THE ULTIMATE HEAD TENNIS MATCH
44 I SIMON WEAVER FESTIVE Q’S VIDEO FEATURE
BELLY & STEAD v THOMMO & KIRBY 2 I About Town
CONTENTS
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elcome to the second edition of our quarterly magazine collating the best written and digital content from the past few months.
In this edition’s feature interviews with Connor Hall, Ryan Fallowfield, James Belshaw, Warren Burrell and Jake Lawlor you’ll find plenty of insight into each individual, with some things that will surprise you! If video content is more your thing, we’ve included a look back over Jon Stead’s career with Premier League Productions, highly competitive head tennis action from the training ground and a moving piece about young Town supporter Harvey Watson. From a media point of view, as we pass the halfway point and move towards the business end of the season, the need to engage with our supporters grows even more significant. Statistics have been encouraging over the past few months with our tweets viewed over 10,000,000 times over January and February, averaging over 2,400 likes per week, while our website has had over 215,000 page views during that time. I have been one of the lucky few to still be able to attend matches during the 2020/21 season and don’t take that for granted, but must admit it feels some way away from the game we know and love. Exeter away served as a reminder of the vital ingredient we are missing with 1,500 supporters in good voice that preChristmas night. We do seem to be edging towards light at the end of the tunnel and when the go ahead is given for supporters to return, we’ll be doing all we can to capture those special moments with supporters back where they belong. In the meantime, enjoy the magazine!
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Hal
Hal Boxhall-Dockree Media Manager - Harrogate Town AFC
Harrogate Town Football Club
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The Envirovent Stadium, Wetherby Road Harrogate, HG2 7SA Tel: 01423 210600 Email: enquiries@harrogatetownafc.com BOARD Chairman Vice Chairman Managing Director Directors Strategy Director Finance Director Life President Vice Presidents
Irving Weaver Howard Matthews Garry Plant Angus Taylor Dave Riley Mike Partridge Paul Stone Julian Davis George Dunnington Clive Dunnington David Batty
FOOTBALL First Team Manager: Simon Weaver Assistant Manager: Paul Thirlwell Goalkeeper Coach: Phil Priestley Chief Scout: Lee Barraclough Head Physiotherapist: Rachel Davis Assistant Physiotherapist: Cyra Smith Sports Psychologist: Phil Lee Fitness Coach: Darren Simpson
OPERATIONS General Manager: Ben Sadler Community Development: Iain Service Tom Blackburn Youth Development: Josh Falkingham Josh Walsh Child Welfare & Safeguarding: Dave Riley Supporter Liaison Officer: Phill Holdsworth Facilities Manager: Ady Fletcher Head Groundsman: Iain Bullock 1919 Venue Managers: Tricia Lightfoot Hamilton Mattock Retail Manager Claire Kontominas Club Chaplain: Rob Brett MEDIA Media Manager: Hal Boxhall-Dockree Media Assistants: Brody Pattison Danny Pugsley Henry Whitaker Photographer: Matt Kirkham Designer and Programme: Rich Saltmarsh PA Announcer Alan Tootill
About Town I 3
4 I About Town
CONNOR HALL
NOW IN HIS SECOND SEASON AT TOWN THE 27-YEAR OLD CENTRE HALF HAS BEEN EVER PRESENT SINCE HIS ARRIVAL, HOWEVER, INJURY SETBACKS NEARLY ENDED HALL’S CAREER BEFORE IT COULD EVEN START.... INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
“I broke into the first team at quite an early age and I think that’s partly where my injury came from as I played 90 games one season. It was three games in two days sometimes. I would be with the college team in the morning and then with the first team on a night and it took its toll on me. Then I was with England Colleges and went on tour with them. There were three games in five days and I played all three, prior to that I had played eight games in 12 days. I didn’t feel any pain and I wanted to play. A couple of years later it affected me.” Those are the words from Town defender, Connor Hall. The 27-year-old centre half is now in his second season with Weaver’s side and has been one of the first names on the team sheet since his arrival. However, Injury setbacks nearly ended Hall’s career before it could even start with the defender facing a lengthy period on the sidelines. Originally from St Neots, near Cambridge, Hall grew up as a season ticket holder at Stevenage. He had a natural footballing ability from a young age and spent time at different academies. First was Peterborough before moving to Cambridge. He then later joined Leicester City’s youth set-up at the age of 11 but as Hall explains, that didn’t go to plan.
“I remember having a chat with my dad while on holiday in France and said I didn’t like it at all and didn’t want to play football for them. I was 11 at that time and it was a lot. I was travelling a lot after school. My mum would be waiting for me and I’d get changed in the car and then arrive just before training started. They were long days and I was quite young and naive. I took playing for a big team for granted, I wasn’t ready for it. It made me fall out of love with football, to be honest.” After less than a year with the Foxes, Hall chose to play park football for the remainder of his junior years. When he was ready to step up to men’s football, Hall joined local side, Bury Town. They were playing in the Ryman Premier League and had links to West Suffolk College, where Hall was studying. The defender also spent time with England’s College team, touring across Europe with the squad. This, alongside playing several games per week in non-league football led to Hall, in his own words ‘breaking down’. “It came on slowly,” Hall explains. “When I was with the first team at Bury Town, it was during the Christmas period I was in pain and wasn’t moving around the pitch very well. We were fighting for the playoff spots so the Gaffer was About Town I 5
“THE AMBITION OF THE CLUB AND THE SUCCESSFUL SEASON PRIOR TO ME JOINING WAS EVERYTHING TO ME. I TURNED DOWN A FOOTBALL LEAGUE SIDE TO SIGN FOR HARROGATE. THEY MADE ME FEEL MORE WELCOME AND THE GAFFER REALLY WANTED TO SIGN ME.” CONNOR HALL
asking and needing me to play. It got to March and I was really struggling. At this point, I didn’t realise how serious it was. I remember in the last game of the season we lost and didn’t get into the playoffs. I don’t think I even moved out of the centre circle, I was in agony and as soon as the final whistle went I just dropped to the floor and said ‘I’m done’ as I was in so much pain.” After going for scans, Hall found out he had bone growths in both hips. An operation was needed to shave them down as they were causing impingement on his hips. When the surgeon started, he also found torn cartilage which was repaired. There was a 2% chance of scar tissue damage and unfortunately for Hall, he got that 2% chance which led to another operation. This, accompanied with a Gilmore’s groin kept the defender out for 18 months. Initially, Cambridge United were set to sign Hall and they said to get his operation sorted with his groin and then he could still sign for them. Hall came back for pre-season with Cambridge for his rehab but broke down with the defender not able to run properly. He was still in pain on both sides, which led to more operations. “I couldn’t work much at the time,” Hall says. “I ended up with my mate’s dad who was a bailiff. 6 I About Town
He needed someone in the car sorting out the paperwork. He gave me a fee each month for that but there wasn’t a lot I could do as, after the operation, it was about four months before I could start jogging, it was horrible.” When Hall eventually got running again, Cambridge were on track for promotion to the Football League. The defender was back in training come April that year but chose to stay away from the first team, not to disrupt their promotion push. However, come the end of the season, Hall got a call from the Gaffer with the news he wouldn’t be signed, in what was a real low point for the player. “Not signing for them really tipped it over the edge after all the previous setbacks,” Hall admits. “They said they were going to sign me up, until the point where I had gotten fit before pulling out, but that’s football at the end of the day. It was gutting, I’d done all the work to get fit and be a professional footballer.” Having been out of action for so long, no clubs willing to gamble on the defender, Hall decided to put football on the back burner, playing for the side closest to him. At this stage, Hall was working in the medical
CONNOR HALL
industry, going round the hospitals selling mechanical joints like ankle replacements. Hall was also in on the operations, helping surgeons with the surgeries. It was a healthy distraction for Hall who no longer felt the pressure of needing to make it as a professional player. In 2016, Hall moved to Biggleswade Town and under the “best Gaffer” he’s played for, rediscovered his love for football. “Playing for Chris Nunn, he’s such a jolly guy. He was the first to open a beer on the bus win lose or draw, and I needed that at that stage of my career. He’d be on holiday for pre-season and not take charge of training, but he’s been the manager there 10 years and been quite successful with them. He’s a great guy and still speaks to me now and he did before Wembley, wishing me good luck. I had the freedom to play with a smile on my face and I got player of the year both years playing in midfield.” With new-found energy for football, Hall attracted the attention of National League North side, Brackley Town. Hall signed for The Saints for the 2018-19 season and it was during that campaign that Harrogate showed interest. After ticking the right boxes from scout reports, Weaver and his team went in for the centre half but the move failed to materialise. The end of that season saw Brackley lose in the National League North Play-Off semifinals and it was after that match that Hall sealed the move to North Yorkshire. “The ambition of the club and the successful season prior to me joining was everything to me. I turned down a Football League side to sign for Harrogate. They made me feel more welcome and the Gaffer really wanted to sign me. I didn’t want to go to a team I wasn’t going to play in. I had missed out on so much football. I joined hoping to achieve promotion, it’s what every player does when they move club. Thirs (Thirlwell) and the Gaffer were both saying they wanted to win the league. At first you think well, of course, they’re going to say that but I had a genuine feeling we could win the National League.” About Town I 7
CONNOR HALL
Throughout pre-season, Hall explains that there was constant talk about winning the title. `We’re the best in the league, the fittest in the league, the best passing team’ were said on repeat.
there were little nerves from the squad, with the main pressure coming after the Gaffer had said a rooftop bar would be waiting if the team were to win.
Although Town didn’t start the season great, there was a belief instilled in the squad and by the end of the year, that belief was becoming reality as Weaver’s side went on a strong unbeaten run, only a couple points off top spot.
“I’d do that day a million times if I could,” Hall says. “It’s one of the best days of my life. To play a part in the first goal and to score the second made it an unbelievable day. It’s something I’ll never forget. Even now, driving to training, I still sometimes think back to it and how I felt.”
Hall, who played over 35 times in the cut short 2019/20 season was part of a brand new centre back pairing in himself and Will Smith. Neither had played at National League level before, with preseason and the start of the season a period where the two got to know each other. “I think we grew into the season and each game. A few months down the line, everyone started to put in performances and it all came together. I did kind of feel like I should be the senior centre half. Will has come from a great club in Barnsley but he’s a lot younger than me. It wasn’t me taking him under my wing because he’s already a great player. It was more making sure we’re on the same page, encouraging each other and getting around each other if we’re in a sticky patch.” Hall’s influence on the team would grow throughout the season and he topped it off in style by scoring at Wembley in the Promotion Final. The defender explains that before the game, 8 I About Town
Since stepping up to the Football League, Hall has been an ever-present in the league. He’s part of a defence that conceded just 11 goals from their first 12 games, the second-best defensive start by a side promoted to the Football League. “That first game of the season in the Football League with this club for the first time and with most of the lads who haven’t experienced it before was a really proud moment for us. It’s been testing at times, players are a lot sharper, quicker and more switched on. We’re no longer playing against that one good player in the team, now there’s several but I think all of us have stepped up to it and as a team had a really good start. Yes we’ve had a blip recently but all sides do and it’s about jumping back on the wagon and getting some points in the next couple games.”
V ID EO FE TU A E
About Town I 9
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CONNOR HALL SIGNS UNTIL 2024!
WELCOME 7 TO OUR
JANUARY RECRUITS
Josh MARCH 24
WATCH INTERVIEW
Josh was Town’s first signing in the January transfer window, joining on loan for the rest of the season from Forest Green Rovers. Born in Stourbridge, the 23-year-old striker began his career with Alvechurch in 2015. He became a vital player for the non-league side, scoring an impressive 81 goals in 184 matches to help them rise from the Midland Alliance to the Southern Premier. March then moved onto National League North side, Leamington, for the 2019-20 season, scoring 24 goals in just 26 appearances before signing for League Two side Forest Green Rovers in January 2020.
William HONDERMARCK 8
William Hondermarck signed for Town from Norwich City on loan until the end of the season. A powerful box to box midfielder, who has an eye for goal, he began his professional career in Ireland and joined Drogheda United in 2018, making his senior debut as a 17-year-old in the Irish League Cup in April 2018. His league debut soon followed that May. William made 17 first-team appearances throughout his debut 2018/19 season before attracting the interest of Norwich City. He moved to East Anglia in January 2019 and has impressed playing in The Canaries u18s and u23s sides since.
WATCH JOSH & WILL’S FIRST DAY AT TRAINING
Jay WILLIAMS 27
Defender Jay Williams became Town’s third signing in this January’s transfer window from Kettering Town having been with The Poppies since November 2020 and impressing during his short spell in the National League North. The 20-year-old came through the ranks at Northampton Town, a club he spent seven years with having joined at the age of 13 and made his professional debut for the Cobblers in September 2018 before going on to make 17 first team appearances whilst at Sixfields.
10 I About Town
Josh MCPAKE 28
Josh McPake signed for Town in January, on loan from Scottish giants Rangers until the end of the season. The 19-year-old winger is a product of The Ibrox club’s youth set-up and was their Academy Player of the Year for 2018–19 season. McPake has also represented Scotland six times at U19 level. McPake made his professional debut for Rangers in July 2019, coming on as a substitute in a UEFA Europa League qualifying match. For the 2019/20 season, the Scotsman spent time on loan at Championship side Dundee before joining Greenock Morton on loan at the start of this campaign until January.
Simon POWER 30
WATCH INTERVIEW
Simon Power signed for Town from Norwich City in the January transfer window. Whilst on the books at Carrow Road, the 22-yearold Ireland Under 21 international had loan spells at Dutch side Dordrecht, Scottish Premiership side Ross County and most recently Kings Lynn Town. The 22-year-old became a popular figure at Kings Lynn during his two loan spells, and scored twice in 11 appearances for The Linnets in their debut campaign in the National League this season.
Mitch ROBERTS 29
20-year-old Mitch Roberts became Towns’ fourth January signing the young defender joining on loan from Birmingham City until the end of the season. Mitch joined the Blues academy at the age of 10, and made his way through the age groups, most recently playing for the under 23s side making a total of 18 appearances for the Under23s last campaign. Comfortable playing at centre half or on the left of a back four, Roberts signed his first professional deal with the Blues in 2019, however injury hampered his first year as an academy scholar.
Josh ANDREWS 31
Town were delighted to announce the loan signing of 19-yearold striker Josh Andrews from Birmingham City on deadline day. Standing at 6ft 3, Andrews is a powerful striker whose size alone makes him a focal point for any attack but the boyhood Blues fan also possesses a good touch and moves well with the ball at his feet. Andrews joined the Blues in 2009 and has played his way through the age groups, most recently with the under 23s side scoring an impressive nine goals in 11 appearances this term. About Town I 11
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12 I About Town
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14 I About Town
RYAN ALLOWFIELD IN THE OXFORD DICTIONARY, HARD-WORKING IS DEFINED AS ‘(OF A PERSON) TENDING TO WORK WITH ENERGY AND COMMITMENT; DILIGENT.’
IN OTHER WORDS… RYAN FALLOWFIELD. THE HARROGATE TOWN DEFENDER EPITOMISES THE STYLE AND BELIEF OF SIMON WEAVER’S SIDE; PASSION, WILLING TO GIVE EVERYTHING DAY IN, DAY OUT AND 100% DEDICATION. ALTHOUGH ONLY 24 YEARS OLD, IT FEELS LIKE FALLOWFIELD HAS BEEN AT THE CLUB FOR AN ETERNITY AND THAT’S KIND OF BECAUSE HE ALMOST HAS.. INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
IT WAS at the age of 18, six years ago that the Town man first walked through the gates at Wetherby Road. It’s been a roller-coaster journey but one thing that’s stayed the same is his desire to be the best he can. His footballing story begins in Hull when at the age of just five, Fallowfield joined his local team. He recalls how he went down to his local community centre to have a taster session with the under six side. Fallowfield played and enjoyed it a lot, but was told afterwards that he was too young to continue. Even at such a young age, it was a moment that “affected” the youngster with him never wanting to play football again. Fortunately, a year later Fallowfield returned and ended up playing with the side up until the age of 11. Throughout this period, he attracted constant attention from Leeds United and Hull City, with the latter encouraging him to sign at the age of eight. But as Fallowfield explains, he had no interest in playing at that level, at that age. “I kept saying no, I just wanted to stay with my home town club and it wasn’t until I turned 11 that my parents started encouraging me to join an academy. I don’t think I understood it really. The side I played for was known to be a good team
and I just enjoyed being with my friends and doing the things after with my friends.” The gentle encouragement from his family did result in Fallowfield going on trial with Hull City, but only after a deal was struck with his mum. “At the time my mum had grounded me for something I’d done at school,” Fallowfield chuckles. “My mum always wanted me to go on trials when they were offered but I kept saying no. The deal was that I could only leave the house if I went on trial with Hull. I went and then afterwards, I remember going to my mum’s work to tell her that I really enjoyed it and wanted to carry on.” Fallowfield was meant to go on a six week trial with the Tigers but after just two weeks, he had signed. A month later, Fallowfield was in Northern Ireland with the development squad for a European tournament, coming up against teams such as Montpellier. The Town defender would spend eight years at Hull, playing predominantly in central midfield, although he admits he “was never” a midfielder. The role of the youth coaches, as Fallowfield explains, played a pivotal role in his development, not only as a player but as a person. About Town I 15
“ AT THE MOMENT WE LOST IN THE PLAYOFFS, IT WASN’T A NICE FEELING. WE HAD WORKED HARD TO GET THERE AND NOBODY EXPECTED IT, BUT I FULLY BELIEVED WE HAD A GOOD ENOUGH SQUAD... ” RYAN FALLOWFIELD
“It set me up for sure, especially after leaving school at 16. They were great tactically but it was more how they set you up as a person, not just for football but for life as well. It was learning how to act with people and how to respect them. They nailed down on everything. You see some things now from players and I just think that’s not how to handle it.” In 2014 and at the age of 19, Fallowfield secured his first professional contract with Hull under manager Steve Bruce. However, the young defender admits he got a “massive reality check” when making the step up and a few months later, found himself on loan at Harrogate when they were still part-time. At the end of the 2014/15 campaign, Fallowfield wanted and needed to know his situation at Hull. After an end of season meeting, he was told nothing would be on the table. Simon Weaver had openly said he wanted Fallowfield to rejoin his side and in that summer, he did. The reality had now hit Fallowfield that he needed to find a job. “Having to find a job hit me very, very hard as I had no clue what I wanted to do,” he admits. “My 16 I About Town
dad got me a job where he was and it was a tough manual labour job. I was shifting around eight tonnes of stuff around a day. I’d be at work thinking ‘what’s happening? What am I going to do now? This is it for me, this is me now until I retire and I’m going to play part-time football while doing this.’” By 2016, Fallowfield was still playing part-time with a spell on loan at Matlock Town before moving to North Ferriby United. It was there that his career began to roll into motion. Fallowfield was playing at right wing-back for Ferriby during a game that Harrogate Chief Scout Lee Barraclough was attending. After the match Barraclough spoke to Fallowfield, asking if he wanted to return to Harrogate as a full-time player. After speaking to his family and boss, Fallowfield signed the contract with Town. “I remember coming in on the first day and there were a couple of lads I knew, Lloyd Kerry, Joe Leesley etc. There were also a lot of trialists, there must have been about 40 of us during the first session, so the Gaffer had some decisions to make. For me, it just felt good to be back every single day and be playing.”
RYAN FALLOWFIELD
In the first season, Harrogate achieved promotion from the National League North, following a 3-0 win against Brackley in the play-off final. For Fallowfield, it was an emotional roller-coaster as the season before had seen the defender relegated with North Ferriby. The promotion was his first achievement in men’s football and Fallowfield believes it was “fully deserved”. The following season saw Town lose in the National League Play-Offs to AFC Fylde but that disappointment wouldn’t derail the squad who were determined to go again. “At the moment we lost in the playoffs, it wasn’t a nice feeling. We had worked hard to get there and nobody expected it, but I fully believed we had a good enough squad. I was confident that we could bounce back and be up there the year after.” That confidence and ambition from Fallowfield proved to be right as Town secured their place in the Football League, via a trip to Wembley. However, for Fallowfield, he found himself out of the team for part of the season. After falling ill before the home clash against Torquay, loan signing Alex Bradley filled in and after a strong performance stayed in the side, with Town winning six on the bounce. It wasn’t until the start of February that Fallowfield had a lucky return to the side. Town were ready to head down to Aldershot and although not being in the match squad, Fallowfield was asked by the Gaffer if he wanted to travel. He agreed and went with the team to the South of the country. That night in the team hotel, Jack Emmett got ill and was replaced in the squad by Fallowfield. Then during the match, Alex Bradley got booked, resulting in Fallowfield replacing him at half time. From that moment on he kept his place in the team but the period in the stands was a tough time for the right back. “It was difficult for me though and there were talks between me and the Gaffer about me going out on loan as I didn’t like sitting in the stands as
that’s not me, I want to be playing. He told me to hang about and that he wanted me to stay. I had to be patient and made my way back into the side for that Aldershot game,” he continues. “It’s difficult not playing but it’s about coming into training every day and applying yourself right. From an attitude perspective, it’s the biggest thing I’ve got going for me, that I’ll always give 100%. I know what it’s like having it taken away and needing to work, so I know where I’d rather be.” Fallowfield remained in the side until the season was stopped abruptly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For the players, it was a time of great uncertainty as no one knew whether football would continue or the season be null and void.For some athletes, it was a time to unwind and reset after a heavy and intense schedule. For Fallowfield however, he trained “twice as hard” to make sure he was ready for football if and when it came back. When Play-Offs were announced, Fallowfield knew he’d be ready and he proved he was as he put in two remarkable performances against Boreham Wood and Notts County to help secure our place in League Two. “We always talk about it but it’s one thing that’ll never leave my memory,” Fallowfield says. “I just felt I really turned up for the biggest games when it mattered most. Those games will stick in my mind forever.” Fallowfield also admits that himself and away days roommate George Thomson competed with each other throughout the lockdown period, pushing each other with running times to make sure both were as fit as possible. It’s a well-known friendship with Town fans and it’s one that’s developed and shone through over the last four years. “We’ve developed each other’s games a lot. Me and Thommo know we’re going to work hard for each other. He knows I’ve got his back and he’s got mine. We’ve both had stints out of the team but we always find a way back. It’s about finding a way and proving why you should never have been left out. About Town I 17
RYAN FALLOWFIELD
This season is the first time that we haven’t shared a room on away days. It was strange as I’ve been so used to sharing a room with him. We do the same things each time, to the point where every time we walk out the door, I’m asking him if he’s got the key, he’ll say no and I’ll still try to open the door. We have that click and playing together definitely helps.” Although it’s early on in the season, this one ranks as Fallowfield’s favourite right now. It has seen him make his Carabao Cup debut, his Football League debut and also his debut against a Premier League side, away to West Brom. The “buzz” of playing in new stadiums against strong opposition has been a challenge he’s relished. With the games coming thick and fast, there’s not much time for Fallowfield to dwell on these milestones with the focus always on what’s next. And looking forward, as Fallowfield always does, he has lofty ambitions for the club and himself. Confidently he says we “can get promoted again” and that so far, we’ve been able to match the majority of teams in League Two. 18 I About Town
“I truly believe we can reach higher levels. I’m not just saying that because it’s what people would like to hear. We’ve got a good enough squad to go to the next step.” At the age of 24, Fallowfield has achieved more than a lot of footballers even dream of. However, the Town man is quick to point out it’s a journey he hasn’t been able to go on alone. His family, the youth coaches, the people he used to work with and the Gaffer have all helped Fallowfield to grow as a person and as a footballer. It’s noticeable to see how grateful he is for the ones around him. “Without my family, I wouldn’t be where I am. The Gaffer has also had a big impact on me. He’s seen me from 18 to now 24, that’s quite a few years and we’ve achieved things which are already highlights of my career. I think we both have that respect for each other. He knows how I work and what he is going to get from me and vice versa. The relationship just grows when you’ve known someone for that long. These days I get out of my bed and I enjoy getting up. I’m not having to roll out of bed, I’m up early and can’t wait to get to training and playing football.”
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About Town I 19
THE CEDAR COURT HOTEL HARROGATE HAS ESTABLISHED CLOSE LINKS WITH THE CLUB PROVIDING MEETING ROOMS AND PRE-MATCH FACILITIES FOR PLAYER MEETINGS WITH THE MANAGER, AS WELL AS THE COACHING TEAM. ABOUT TOWN SPOKE TO STEVEN NEWBY, THE GROUPS’ BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER. Steven Newby, Business Development Manager for Cedar Court Hotels has been involved with the group since November 2018. His background prior to that was working for Jupiter Hotels looking after the Mercure Brand as a franchisee to Accor Hotels where he spent 5 years. Before that time he worked on government contracts supporting unemployed people into work, specialising in youth unemployment. Coincidently Harrogate was part of his remit, so he has a real fondness for the area. 2020 was an extraordinary year for the world, given the onset of the virus and the hotel had to be innovative. They established a socially distanced green screen and live streaming facility across the estate called #StudioSpacesYorkshire. They also set up a hotel management company called ‘EC4 Management’ (that helps other venues) and revisited all their offerings / collateral and just made everything so much more attractive in both 20 I About Town
its design and offering. The marketing team are also working really hard on a new website that is currently being built. The Group has also undertaken extensive refurbishment across all its hotels, and at the Harrogate hotel had begun to upgrade the bedrooms and public areas, with new self-check in facilities, new key card locks on the doors and a brighter upgraded feel within the bedrooms. There are also some exciting developments in the works for the group, more so the Harrogate hotel…but they aren’t talking about those just yet. The hotel has great pride in it’s fresh and vibrant menu and when asked to choose his favourite three dishes Steven came back with the following mouth watering response. “You can’t go wrong with our signature Beef Burger, served in a beer sourdough bun with all the trimmings, fries and house slaw! Really delicious.
Also, I love our Chipotle Chicken & Baby Gem Lettuce sandwich, that’s a big favourite of mine at lunch time…if I am meeting clients, the Hotels know by now to get that one ready for me! But I’d also have to take something like our Mango and Passionfruit Cheesecake, which is a proper portion of pudding – we don’t mess around with puddings at Cedar Court Hotels!” The Hotel offers a wide range of events and it was interesting to hear about the favourites. “Hands down it has to be Bonkers Bingo! Bingo, Music, Drink, Food and Prizes! Utter fun and absolute madness! We are proud to have earned a really fantastic reputation for our ‘Great Nights Out’ programme of events – nights that are well named! We’ve had so much fun with everything from Pop up Restaurants to Comedy Dining to Tribute Nights. We all love to see a full room of happy people at Cedar Court Hotels, it is all part of the ‘buzz’ and I know I can speak for my colleagues in the commercial team when I say that we are all so keen to get these vibrant and varied events back in the diary, we always try and host something for everyone…so keep an eye out folks!” Moving on from food we talked about football, “I don’t really support a single team…but I do have a love of the game as a whole. Working in hospitality I’ve had the fortune to see some great games, the most memorable one for me was
Hull City v Leicester (who in the previous season had won the Premier League). It was Leicester’s start of their title defence and Hull were newly promoted…and massive underdogs / favourite to be relegated. We had taken 40 of our clients from around the country, sponsored the game (walking to the centre circle before kick-off to hear the atmosphere is something I’ll never forget!). It was a hugely memorable experience – especially as it was a massive upset: Hull won 2-1! That being said, naturally, I am keeping a really close eye on Harrogate Town and enjoying the season.” We asked Steven what Town’s promotion to The EFL meant to him “I have previously seen first-hand the difference a football club’s promotion has on the local community. I think Town’s promotion brings excitement, opportunities, and pride to the local area along with a strengthening of community spirit. The majority of our team in Harrogate are local so you can see the positive impact it has had on them; we are all excited for the clubs future.” The hotel offers an array of benefits to Town’s supporters, 10% off accommodation rates, 10% off food and beverage offerings and a welcome space to visit before or after the game!” It’s apparent that they have people that care, people who are dedicated to their roles and making sure every customer has the best hotel experience in Harrrogate. About Town I 21
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JAMES BELSHAW LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM.
BETWEEN 2009 AND 2012, HARROGATE TOWN GOALKEEPER JAMES BELSHAW DID JUST THAT SPENDING HIS FIRST THREE YEARS OF ADULTHOOD LEARNING HIS FOOTBALLING AND ACADEMIC PROFESSION AT DUKE UNIVERSITY. IT WAS THERE WHERE BELSHAW STARTED TO MAKE HIS WAY IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL BUT IT’S NOT WHERE IT BEGAN... INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM. Between 2009 and 2012, Harrogate Town goalkeeper James Belshaw did just that. The 30-year-old shot-stopper spent his first three years of adulthood learning his footballing and academic profession in the United States, studying at Duke University in North Carolina. It’s a world-renowned university, ranked 42nd in the world with the very best academic and sports facilities on hand. It was where Belshaw started to make his way in professional football but it’s not where it began... From Nottingham, Belshaw played for grassroots club Clifton All Whites up until the age of eight. It was at his local club that he played in goal for the first time but it wasn’t by choice. “I was about five years old when I joined Clifton and my dad’s mate was the manager,” Belshaw explains. “When they were picking teams, they said they needed a keeper and I heard the manager shout ‘Belly get in goal’. I looked around thinking whose belly but it was me, luckily I took to it straight away.” Belshaw’s talent saw him playing with the older teams and it was with that group that
he was scouted by Notts County at the age of eight. Belshaw recalls how at first, his dad thought the scout was joking as his dad is a big Notts fan himself. However, the interest was real and Belshaw signed for Notts, playing up until the age of 15 when the academy was forced to close due to a lack of funding. The moment the academy shut was a moment Belshaw remembers “vividly”, as he and his brother received a letter after coming home from school which revealed the news. Belshaw, like many of the Notts academy, went for trials at Nottingham Forest and Leicester City but the keeper failed to earn a contract and chose to enter non-league football while focusing more on his studies. He played for Heanor Town while studying for his GCSE’s in which he achieved 10 A*s and two A’s. Belshaw went onto sixth form to continue his education but he still played for Heanor, grabbing the attention of Walsall scout, Mick Halsall. Halsall said he would get Belshaw a trial with the club and although the keeper didn’t think anything of it, he ended up going on one and then signed while still at sixth form so he could finish his studies. About Town I 23
“ PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT ME AS I WAS THE HIGHEST-RATED KEEPER ON THE LIST, BUT I WAS AN INTERNATIONAL SLOT AND I THINK THAT HURT MY CHANCES. ” JAMES BELSHAW
As Belshaw got more involved in the first team, he started to miss weeks of school and ended up doing work in his digs. However, Belshaw never played for the first team and only made it to the bench a few times in League One. When he was offered a professional contract at Walsall, Belshaw couldn’t accept as he didn’t like the idea of being a third-choice keeper. Fortunately for the Notts man, another and greater opportunity was on the table. His former manager at Heanor Town had connections in America and when Belshaw was informed that he had a “very good chance” of going to one of the top universities, he kept that thought on the back burner. It was after defeat to Chelsea in the youth cup that Belshaw got a phone call from Duke University in North Carolina, saying they wanted him on a scholarship. Having never been to the States before, Belshaw went across the pond for a trial game in March 2009. After a strong performance, the scholarship option became a no brainer. Belshaw left for North Carolina in August 2009 in what was the beginning of a new chapter. 24 I About Town
“It was scary leaving home at 18, I was taking a chance on it,” Belshaw admits. “My family took me down to Heathrow and there were a lot of tears at the airport as it was my first time away from home and I wasn’t going to be back until Christmas. When I landed in America the thought of ‘was this the right decision?’ did go through my head. I was very homesick for the first few weeks. However, once term time started, I began to meet more people and get into the university lifestyle.” Belshaw studied a major in history and a minor in business studies while training full-time. It was an adjustment for the youngster who had to learn more than just history. “At 18, I was confident and self-assured but when I went out there, I learnt more about myself. It was probably the first time I’d been out of my comfort zone whereas even at Walsall, I felt I belonged. Even the little things like getting a mobile phone and registering for overseas tax are things I had to go through at 18.” Fortunately, Belshaw had already started to build a strong relationship with a new teammate,
JAMES BELSHAW
Ryan Brown. Belshaw explains how Brown’s family “took him in” and helped him settle into his new surroundings. The keeper would spend thanksgiving with the Brown’s, as well as travel to places across the country. America was a different lifestyle to what Belshaw had been used to. With $75,000 the tuition cost per year at Duke’s, he found himself surrounded by people who took him with them to luxury holidays and events. “I remember the first week in America, I stayed in a hotel as the dorms weren’t open yet. One of my teammates asked if I wanted to go to Virginia, which was about a four-hour drive, that’s classed as just down the road for them. We drove up there to see one of their mates and honestly, it was the biggest house I’ve ever seen. Then the next day, Real Madrid were playing DC United and we got tickets in the executive box, and this was just after Cristiano Ronaldo had signed so we got to see him and Kaka play.” Belshaw impressed throughout his time in America, making 78 appearances for the Blue Devils between 2009 and 2012. He won accolades such as 2012 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America third team, was a two-time Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) firstteam selection and a three-time All-ACC choice. Belshaw also earned second-team honours in 2010 and earned NSCAA All-South Region honours all four seasons. His degree was supposed to be for four years but the star keeper had graduated early to make sure he was ready for the MLS Combine, which is a training camp for the top 60 university players in the country. Belshaw was put in one of four teams which competed against each other in front of all the MLS coaches, many which Belshaw later had meetings with. Following this was the MLS draft, in which the very best university players are selected by the MLS sides, with the bottom-placed club from the previous season getting the first pick. It was an agonising watch for Belshaw, who had no idea when he’d be picked. “I was watching it on TV, just waiting for my name,” he says. “The first 38 are shown on TV and I wasn’t picked within that. People were talking
about me as I was the highest-rated keeper on the list, but I was an international slot and I think that hurt my chances.” It wasn’t until pick 49 that Belshaw’s name was read out as Chicago Fire opted for the English keeper. Minutes after he had found out about his club via Twitter, Belshaw received a phone call with the message he was to be on a flight the next day to Florida for a training camp with Chicago. At this point, no contract had been signed, and Belshaw now had to prove he deserved one. He and three other keepers were all fighting for one spot and after weeks of action, came out on top but it led to a very difficult decision to make. A contract from Chicago was put in front of Belshaw with just a 24-hour window for him to sign. Although it may sound like an easy decision to play professional football in America, the contract offered was minimum salary and he wasn’t guaranteed to earn more each year. “I had 24 hours to decide whether I wanted to live in America or England. I was frantically looking at apartments in Chicago. I needed to be close as I didn’t have a car and I had no money to afford one. I quickly realised rent in Chicago was more than what I was going to earn. It was one of the hardest days of my life trying to decide in 24 hours what was next for me. After speaking to a few people, I woke up the next morning, declined the contract and then booked a flight back to the UK that night. My plan was to stay and make a career in America. I was on these top prospect lists and agents and people in the media were saying I was good enough, but not many clubs would use an international slot for a second or third choice keeper.” Once back in the UK, Belshaw had been told that Walsall were interested in taking him on but before then, he trained with a host of clubs including Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton, Wolves, Coventry and Notts County. He also had a trial at Cambridge United but after rolling his ankle on the first day, he failed to get an offer and instead returned to Walsall. It was a frantic period for Belshaw as he also competed in Russia for the World University Games as part of Great Britain’s football team. He and his team lost on penalties but that tournament is one he classes as “unbelievable” moment. About Town I 25
JAMES BELSHAW
After that, he returned home and the GB coach got him a job playing for Nuneaton in the 2013/14 season, with the keeper now working alongside playing.Three seasons at Tamworth followed, with Belshaw making over 100 appearances for the club before switching to join Simon Weaver’s side in Harrogate. Belshaw has been a near ever-present in Town’s rise up the footballing ladder, achieving two promotions in three seasons, while recently racking up his 150th Town appearance. So far, the keeper has achieved many things and been on a great journey but it’s not one he sees slowing down anytime soon. “I want to win a league,” he states. “We’ve had two promotions via the play-offs and the day at Wembley I don’t think will ever be beaten. I’ve represented England C, Great Britain, and played in the Football League. To play 200 odd games at this level, I could then class myself as a proper Football League player and I think to finish top of a league would be nice. I’ve got about six to eight years to do that.” 26 I About Town
Belshaw has aspirations of coaching, whether that be in England or America and keeper jokingly speaks of himself and the skipper Josh Falkingham becoming the coaching staff at Town, with Belshaw “fine” having Phil Priestley’s coaching role. And sticking with the theme of looking forward, the conversation takes a turn to Belshaw potentially playing outfield, something he’s mentioned to Weaver before… “I back myself and I step out with the ball as a keeper which probably gives the Gaffer a heart attack sometimes. I’d just run around and turn up in spaces I shouldn’t be in. I bet I’d be a dream to play with as I’d do all the running. Me, Mullers (Muldoon) and Beck upfront would be unbelievable. Beck through the middle, then me and Mullers bombing on would be a dream, it’s something I might speak to the Gaffer abaout!” And just like that, Belshaw stands up out of his seat with a confident look in his eyes, as he’s ready to convince Simon Weaver on his new potential position.
V ID EO FE TU A R
THE ULTIMATE
BELLY & STEAD V
KIRBY & THOMMO About Town I 27
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CHRISTMAS HEADMATCH TENNIS
JUST OVER FOUR YEARS AGO SALLY AND STEVEN GREEN FOUNDED HARROGATE TIPPLE AFTER A LIGHT BULB MOMENT WHILST ON HOLIDAY IN INDIA. STEVEN PREVIOUSLY worked in TV and Film for over 20 years as a Cameraman, Producer / Director and successfully owned and run a Facilities Company providing the likes of ITV with camera crews. He worked on Blind Date for the last three years of the successful series filming the couples holiday dates. What a great gig that was travelling the world filming couples arguments and tantrums and visiting the most amazing places you could imagine. He also filmed Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway for over eight years which in his own words “was a blast!” He now finds himself the Chief Tipple Taster of Harrogate Tipple, not a bad job and title, certainly something to live up to that’s for sure. As they say someone has to do it. Sally’s title is aptly named Chief Tipple Taster’s Boss. He has always been a passionate football fan supporting Newcastle United since a lad and has been supporting Town for the last eight years and like many has been amazed at the progress of the club in such a short space of time.
Number 2 would be the Gooseberry Gin with Fresh Mint and Limes. It’s unique and hits all the senses. Vibrant, Fresh and so, so drinkable! Number 3 would have to be the Honey Rum served with fresh coconut juice. The Harrogate Tipple shop, housed in the distillery in Ripley Village will immediately take you back to the 1920’s. It’s an experience in itself and one we would certainly recommend. They have created an immersive experience that encapsulates the magic of this era, and one which is very different from most of the shops you enter today. They have ensured customers can see the stills from the shop as they feel it’s part of the experience and important that people can see the process and where the gins are produced. About Town recommends that you pay a visit to the shop when you can as well as keeping an eye out for fantastic new products and the new Gin School - now there’s a place you wouldn’t mind getting a detention!
Last year was a particularly memorable one for Harrogate Tipple as it won numerous illustrious awards in the Licensing world including the ‘Best Newcomer Award’ and ‘Best Food or Drink Product’, beating the likes of Coca Cola and Nestlé, and in so doing becoming a great Harrogate success story. We asked Sally and Steven to choose three gins they believe highlight their range. Number 1 would be the Premium Gin with Peeled Cucumber and a citrus tonic. It’s an absolute classic, clean, crisp and the most refreshing g&t in the line up. 28 I About Town
STEVEN & SALLY GREEN
CLICK HERE FOR THE HARROGATE TIPPLE WEBSITE
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30 I About Town
WARREN BURRELL
IN THE CURRENT TOWN SQUAD, THERE’S ONE MAN WHO STANDS HIGH ABOVE THE REST WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING ON THE YELLOW AND BLACK JERSEY. CLOSE TO REACHING 250 APPEARANCES FOR HARROGATE, WARREN BURRELL HAS BEEN A KEY COG IN THE TOWN MACHINE WHICH HAS GROWN IN DRAMATIC STYLE. THE VERSATILE FOOTBALLER POSSESSES GREAT ATHLETICISM, COMPOSURE ON THE BALL AND NATURAL LEADERSHIP QUALITIES WHICH MAKE HIM VICE-CAPTAIN OF THE SIDE. INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
HIS STORY with Town began just over a decade ago when in 2009, he joined up with new Harrogate manager, Simon Weaver. Burrell was one of many new names through the door as part of Weaver’s long term vision. Back then, Town trained on as Burrell describes “pretty basic” facilities in Wetherby with an entirely new squad for the Gaffer to unpick. Burrell had originally met Weaver during his time at Mansfield, when at the end of his playing career, Weaver trained with The Stags and although they never had the chance for conversation, Burrell had shown enough to win the Gaffer’s admiration. However, a move to Harrogate in 2009 hadn’t been on Burrell’s mind.
contract, captaining the youth side and travelling and training with the first team regularly at the age of just 16. It nearly went downhill for Burrell in his second youth year after he suffered a bad injury that kept him out for several months but fortunately, by the end of the season, he was back playing and made his first-team debut coming on against Dagenham and Redbridge in the last game of the 2007/08 season. It looked like Burrell’s professional career was about to take off but as he explains, it didn’t go to plan.
In his youth days, Burrell was a late developer to the game, joining Sheffield United’s academy at U15s level after being scouted from a football camp supported by ‘Football Unites, Racism Divides’. Burrell played as a box to box midfielder, chipping in with plenty of goals.
“A few different managers were coming through the door that next season. When I had started to build trust with one of them, they’d end up going and it’s back to the start. One of the managers had been saying in news articles that I was going to be the future captain of the club and he was really bigging me up, then a month later, I found out I was on the transfer list. I was 18 now and didn’t really know what to do.”
At the end of his academy years, Burrell was offered a move to Mansfield Town after being told it was unlikely Sheffield United would give him one of the few contracts available. Burrell sealed the move and signed a two-year youth
Harrogate would be Burrell’s next destination and he started well, scoring in four of the five pre-season games and playing as midfielder, winger or “wherever he needed to be in the side”. About Town I 31
However, as the season progressed, Burrell took time out from the game and wouldn’t return to the sport until two years later in 2011. Football was no longer the priority for Burrell but he still played for local side Sheffield Club, where he first met the likes of Jack Muldoon. The defender had a job doing groundwork which although was testing, became a “lifestyle” for Burrell, who was enjoying having a routine. The Sheffield born man spent four years with his local club, eventually parting ways in 2015 to move to Leek, who were on the hunt for promotion. After losing in their play-off final, he spent time at Worksop and Handsworth Paramore’s before attracting the attention of Simon Weaver for the second time in his career while at Buxton FC.
give football “another crack”. Burrell had noticed many differences on his return to Harrogate, seven years on from his first appearance. Better quality players, better facilities and a better running of the club made Town an exciting project for the Sheffield man to be a part of. “The main difference was training and it was how the club was run top to bottom. The gaffer was learning on the job at the time and didn’t know the structure like he does now.” He continues, “The fan base had also grown, not by crazy amounts but there were definitely more turning up to games. I’d also say the pitch was a little better but not by a lot! Ultimately, the club as a whole was more set up for the challenge of promotion.”
“I started the season well at Buxton and Vill Powell and The Gaffer contacted me in January 2016 saying they were wanting a midfielder,” Burrell says. “When I signed here, the lads were doing well and were in the play-offs. I was scoring and playing well but then I got sent off at home to FC United which was a three-game ban and then I got sent off on my first game back so I missed seven through suspension that season.”
And promotion to the National League is what Burrell helped Town achieve in what was his first promotion success at the seventh attempt. The climb up to the National League was a “big step”, Burrell admits, with the failure to get promoted at the first attempt seen as something to build from. That learning curve set Town up nicely for the 2019/20 season as a strong run of games took Town to second place before the season was halted due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The next campaign, Town turned full time and Burrell admits that financially, it wasn’t the “best decision” for him at the time but he was ready to
Back in March, Burrell was showing symptoms of the virus before it really began to take effect in the UK. He recalls suddenly feeling “terrible” after
32 I About Town
WARREN BURRELL
a meal to celebrate his brother’s birthday, with his taste and smell disappearing. “I felt fine at the meal and straight after but within half an hour of getting home I felt terrible. Fevers, going hot and cold, I had proper flu symptoms. I let Rachel know and the conversations which followed ended with me not being able to play our next game, despite me wanting to.” It turned out that Burrell wasn’t the only one within the Harrogate group to have the key symptoms of Coronavirus and the decision was made to call the game off. What followed was months of lockdown and uncertainty as Burrell spent his time playing “a lot” of Call of Duty on his PlayStation and keeping fit in case football would return. When Burrell got told there would be a Zoom call with the whole squad concerning the end of season options, from the murmurs he had heard, Burrell thought Town would be promoted. But as soon as playoffs were announced, his mind turned to the job at hand. Burrell and his teammates were successful at Wembley and having been with Town for a while, the defender knew more than most what the promotion at Wembley meant to the club. “My personal experience with the club, coming in as a young lad and seeing what place it was in, to
where we’re at now, it’s come on leaps and bounds. The fan base is growing and we’ve kept building, the promotion meant a lot to a lot of people. Football in Harrogate hasn’t always been big and popular but now the Town has a club they can really be proud of.” The summer of 2020 also saw demonstrations across the globe in numbers not seen in some places before, with people marching in their tens of thousands to highlight racial injustice against black people. Football is far from perfect when it comes to dealing with racism but the sport has committed to tackling it and kicking it out of the game. In matches since the restart, players, staff and officials have taken the knee before kick-off to show solidarity with black people who suffer from injustice. Sadly, in recent weeks as fans have returned, boos have been heard in some stadiums when the knee has been taken. On that, Burrell believes ignorance plays a key part. “It just shows ignorance. You see people go on about ‘all lives matter’ but that’s not what Black Lives Matter stands for. We’re not saying our lives matter more than anyone else, just that ours matter too. That’s the point of it all. Lots of people understand the meaning and what’s going on but some are so ignorant they can’t see the bigger
“ IT JUST SHOWS IGNORANCE. YOU SEE PEOPLE GO ON ABOUT ‘ALL LIVES MATTER’ BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT BLACK LIVES MATTER STANDS FOR ” WARREN BURRELL
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WARREN BURRELL
picture. When fans boo and they have black players on their team, do they not understand how that makes those players feel?” Burrell also highlights that he finds a lot of people are racist and insensitive without even knowing, and that is one of the biggest issues for him. “People do it without knowing they’re racist and then they adamantly deny it. Some people aren’t intending to be racist, I get that, but the ignorance throughout it all is what will make it so hard to get rid of. Take the fourth official in PSG’s Champions League game recently. We hear things like that ‘oh the black man over there’ every day, it’s an everyday thing but when you put it into the context of the job, and the fact every player has a shirt number and every staff member has a job title, it doesn’t need to be said and if it was the other way round, it wouldn’t have been said. I could talk about my experiences with racism and can give you all my circumstances where I feel I’ve been discriminated against but it’s not going to add up anywhere near to what a lot of people have been through.” “We’ve seen protests and movements before and it’s not combatted the issue as well as we’d like. This time, I think it has taken a lot of significance, which is what we want to see. Will this fizzle out? I don’t know, but we’re trying to push in the right direction to make sure it doesn’t.” 34 I About Town
Like for many of the Town squad, this season has been a new experience for Burrell, with a new quality of opposition meaning the margin for error is much smaller. The defender has enjoyed the challenge so far and believes that now fans are starting to return, it could help Town kick on. “Having fans back for our last home game was brilliant. They couldn’t be with us at Wembley so it was finally nice to share a moment on the pitch with them. We had the bus parade in the summer and that surprised me. When I heard about it, I’ll be honest that I had my reservations and wasn’t sure how it would go down. When I think about the Gaffer, Chairman and where the club was ten years ago, to see that moment with thousands of fans on the street, it shows we’ve come a long way as a club.” Now 30 years-old, Burrell has seen a lot in his career with many highs and lows but being a Football League player and achieving promotion via Wembley can’t be knocked. “There’ve been tough times in my career where I thought it was pointless playing, especially in the lower divisions as it wasn’t a passion. I had to think about what I want in life and do my best. I’ll look back and think I’ve tried hard to be where I am right now and long may that continue.”
V ID EO FE
PHILL HOLDSWORTH
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MEET OUR SUPPORTER LIAISON OFFICER
The Yorkshire Hotel
HARROGATE’S HOTEL RICHES ABOUT TOWN SPOKE TO SIMON COTTON, MD OF HRH GROUP WHICH OPERATES A NUMBER OF LOCAL BOUTIQUE HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND TRADITIONAL PUBS INCLUDING THE YORKSHIRE HOTEL, THE WHITE HART HOTEL AND THE FAT BADGER PUB IN HARROGATE. Simon Cotton became MD at HRH Hotel Group nearly 3 1/2 years ago after being General Manager at the Cedar Court Hotel for 13 years, amongst other roles he held within that group. Prior to that he worked in various sales and marketing and management roles at several hotels around the country for Queens Moat House Hotels, including Revenue Manager at the Holiday Inn Harrogate which has since become the Crowne Plaza. At 16 he left school on a Friday afternoon and started work on the Monday morning at a large local hotel and he hasn’t looked back since. We asked Simon to choose three dishes from their menu to take to a desert island and happily live on for the rest of your life. “Well I know that a good steak is going to sound an easy answer to some but I could live off a nice piece of fillet. I love fresh fish too and we do some amazing sea bass during the year, but right now we have a fantastic pan roasted salmon fillet with crushed potatoes, chorizo, tomato salad and pesto, 36 I About Town
that’d definitely be on the list. My third choice is difficult because the menu changes seasonally and we have some cracking dishes on, but right now, there’s a superb Shepherds Pie with Wensleydale crust and mint shallot mash.” What will be the best nights to be at the Fat Badger once lockdown breaks? “Every night!! Quite literally, there’s always a buzz and great atmosphere at both the Fat Badger and now too at our new place, The Pickled Sprout on John Street and I think everyone will once again be desperate to get out when the time comes. Hopefully later on in 2021 The Fat Badger will be allowed to re-start the famous Beer Club nights which is the first Tuesday of every month (but only when Covid rules allow for larger groups). What renovations have taken place at The Yorkshire? “The whole hotel has now been refurbished from top to bottom. The bedrooms were finished
Recently refurbished rooms at The Yorkshire
in 2019 but we managed to complete a major refurbishment of both the ground floor and top floor at the end of 2020. That saw the opening of a brand new restaurant, The Pickled Sprout which was really busy through December and it had a beautiful new indoor garden room complete with balcony so I can see it becoming ‘The place’ to be this coming summer. The 5th floor function room is now stunning with the best views of Harrogate too so if you’re planning a wedding or private party, it’s going to be the must have venue when everything is back up and running.” Simon has supported Harrogate Town for some years and has also supported Newcastle United for nearly 30 years. “I lived and worked there for most of the 90’s. That was the time I also attended my most memorable match on Sunday 20th October 1996 as a season ticket holder. I was there to witness Newcastle’s greatest ever mauling of Man Utd in the 5-0 win that day. It was particularly special due to the 5 goals coming from 5 different players including Peacock, Ferdinand, Ginola, Shearer and that
The Fat Badger
beautiful goal to finish it all off from Phillipe Albert. We sang and cheered so loud that day that I genuinely lost my voice.” What did Town’s promotion to the English Football League mean to you? “I was over the moon and was away for the day/ night on the day they were at Wembley so made sure I tuned in like most people to the radio and listened to every kick of the ball. Not only is it exciting as a football fan but it means so much to the business community too and having worked up and down the country, I’ve seen first hand the lift and impact the success of a good local football club can have on the local economy so there’s many reasons to enjoy what Town have achieved to date.” Harrogate, a great place to watch football and a great place for that ‘staycation’. About Town I 37
38 I About Town
JAKE LAWLOR
FROM BEING PART OF MANCHESTER UNITED’S YOUTH SET UP, TO EARNING £20 PER WEEK AT SUNDAY LEAGUE LEVEL, TO NOW LIVING LIFE IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE, JAKE LAWLOR HAS BEEN THERE, SEEN IT AND DONE IT... INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
BORN IN HALIFAX, Lawlor grew up playing football as one of the stand out players for his local team, Brighouse. Playing as a striker as a youngster, Lawlor was sent on trial to Manchester United at the age of eight-years-old and out of hundreds of kids looking to join the United set up, he was just one of 10 to join the Red Devils. Seeing the likes of Eric Harrison - the man who famously coached the ‘Class of 92’ - wandering around at training was an everyday sight for Lawlor but it wasn’t something he truly understood at such a young age. “I didn’t think too much about him being there at the time”, he admits. “We used to have Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs doing the odd session as they did their coaching badges but for me, I just liked playing football at that age.” On the pitch, Lawlor would defend and attack with the likes of Danny Welbeck, Oliver Norwood and Matt James - three players who have gone on to have successful Premier League careers. For Lawlor however, as he got older, he began to enjoy his time at United less and less, and at the age of 14, was released by the club. “My mates would be hanging out after school but from Tuesdays to Thursdays, I couldn’t play with them as I was with United in the evenings up until 9/10pm. It was a lot to take in and although being released wasn’t a great moment I sort of knew it
might be coming and there was a relief as it was a chance to start enjoying football again.” After leaving, Lawlor was in contact with several academies including Huddersfield Town, but the defender struggled to enjoy the academy approach and instead went to play for one of the top local teams, Wyke Wanderers. Lawlor would go on to win the League and the County Cup in his only season with the Wanderers before briefly moving onto Halifax Town, before going to Huddersfield New College. Lawlor played for the college team while also representing Sunday League football for Liversedge, earning £20 a match. Now 18-years-old, Lawlor had to decide what was next for him. He went down the academic approach, studying Sports Business Management at Sheffield Hallam University, although the big man admits he “studied drinking” more than his subject. He opted not to play for the University team and instead came home at weekends to play at Ossett Town and then later Harrogate Railway at the age of 19. Both clubs were playing at Northern Premier League level and Lawlor believes that type of football has been beneficial for his career. “Football at that level and at that age was really good for me. I wasn’t fully developed at 18/19 but About Town I 39
“ I WAS ROOTING FOR HARROGATE TO GO UP AND THE FACT THEY DID WAS JUST INCREDIBLE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE JOURNEY THE CLUB HAS BEEN ON. IT’S SO TOUGH TO GET THE NATIONAL LEAGUE BUT HARROGATE JUST CARRIED THE MOMENTUM THAT THEY’D BEEN BUILDING OVER THE PREVIOUS COUPLE YEARS...” JAKE LAWLOR
I was still playing against men so it was important for my development.” After graduating from University, Lawlor had found a passion for fitness, specifically CrossFit training. He and a friend decided to set up a gym called CrossFit 606, a business which is still going strong today, over eight years on. While involved in the fitness industry, Lawlor played the majority of his football at Guiseley, signing for The Lions in January 2013. It was a step up to Conference North football and Lawlor made a few appearances in his first half-season as Guiseley lost to Halifax in the playoff semi-finals. In his first full season at the West Yorkshire club, Lawlor and his teammates suffered “heartbreak” following defeat to Altrincham in the Conference North Play-Off Final. It’s a day he remembers for all the wrong reasons. “We were drawing 1-1 and it went to extra time,” Lawlor explains. “They brought a lad on in the last minute of extra time to take a penalty in the shootout that we thought would be happening, but then he scored with his first touch in the 120th minute. It was a heart-breaking and horrible feeling, 40 I About Town
we should have won that game. I remember going ‘what the ****, what is going on?!’ it was horrendous walking into the dressing room after that.” For Lawlor and his teammates redemption would fall into place the following year as they achieved promotion with a Play-Off Final win against Chorley. However, it was no easy task for The Lions. Bad traffic meant the coach arrived at the ground 45 minutes before kick-off and after half the game had been played, they found themselves two goals down. In the changing rooms at half time, there was that feeling of “here we go again” but a strong second-half showing turned the game on its head and Guiseley came out on top as 3-2 winners. Lawlor classes that day as “one of his favourite moments” and he stayed on with the club for another three seasons. In Guiseley’s first year in the National League, Lawlor admits the squad “did well” to stay up but then struggled to kick on the season after. “The two managers we had weren’t given long enough,” he says. “We had some good players but we didn’t really kick on. We had players come in from higher divisions who didn’t do it for us.”
JAKE LAWLOR
In the 2017/18 season, Guiseley were relegated and it spelt the end at the club for Lawlor. Having injured himself in January 2018, the defender was on the sidelines for two months and by the time he was back, relegation was already confirmed. Manager Paul Cox had agreed to let Lawlor join AFC Fylde for the remainder of the season as they looked to secure a spot in the playoffs.
“Graham Alexander came in after I signed and I was the 4th choice centre half from the start. For the first seven games I wasn’t even in the squad,” Lawlor continues. “I knew I wasn’t going to play straight away as the two centre-halves had done well and helped them win promotion. I heard Wrexham were interested and thought it was a great opportunity for me.”
Lawlor worked up his fitness levels to play a part in the final seven games of the season, but it wasn’t to be for the Lancashire side as they lost out to Boreham Wood in the semi-finals. For the centre half, it was a move which didn’t work out and at the end of the season, he moved on.
The move to Wales provided some stability for Lawlor who was looking to get back in a team, playing consistently. The defender explains how turning up to watch the first game was a wow moment as the streets were just full of people in Wrexham tops.
“It was very strange joining a team at that stage of the season,” Lawlor admits. “I hadn’t played for three months so I was trying to get match fit for the semi-finals after hardly playing. There was an expectation that they would sign me the following season but I ended up moving to Salford City.”
“The club is massive. They get 5000 fans every week, they’re a proper club and too big a club for the National League so the sooner they get out the division the better.”
The move to The Ammies wasn’t one out of the blue, however. Lawlor had nearly signed for them the previous year but the move failed to materialise. He joined for the start of the 2018/19 season but would only spend two months at the club after never getting a shot in the team.
In his first season, Wrexham started the season well and were top at Christmas under the stewardship of Sam Ricketts. However, when he left to manage Shrewsbury halfway through the season, Lawlor confesses the team “slipped off” and just about finished in a playoff spot. A fractured shoulder meant Lawlor couldn’t help his side avoid defeat to Eastleigh.
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JAKE LAWLOR
The second season saw Wrexham fail to move forward and Lawlor believes the club were “lucky” to stay up, as an early end to the season saw the Welsh side finish 19th in the National League. As Wrexham’s season was finished, Harrogate still had work to do in the playoffs and Lawlor was so nearly a part of that. As the season halted in March, Simon Weaver had contacted the defender to say he wanted him to join for the playoffs if transfers were allowed. When it was confirmed that couldn’t happen, Weaver gave Lawlor his word that no matter which division Harrogate would be in for the 2020/21 season, Lawlor would be offered a contract. It meant for the playoffs, Jake Lawlor became Harrogate Town’s number one fan. “I was watching the final, wanting Town to go up but I did think is there more chance of me signing if you stay in the National League?”, Lawlor chuckles. “I was rooting for Harrogate to go up and the fact they did was just incredible, especially with the journey the club has been on. It’s so tough to get the National League but Harrogate just carried the momentum that they’d been building over the previous couple years.” After promotion, Simon Weaver kept his word and Lawlor signed for Town but the defender admits 42 I About Town
that at first, it wasn’t easy settling in. “It was good to be back playing football but it was also a strange one. It’s always hard coming into a new club and although I knew of the lads from playing them in the National League, it was hard coming to the club trying to make an impact when everyone is flying and doing well. At the same time though, my game has only improved being around a group who have been in such good spirits.” Away from football, this week is expected to be a very special one for the defender, as he and his partner are expecting the birth of their first child. Lawlor jokes that it could be a close call to match day and that his phone will be kept on loud, just in case. With a new addition to the family just around the corner, Lawlor begins the next chapter of his life, and although he still has years left of playing football, he already knows that a younger him would have loved the opportunities that have come his way. “As a 10-year-old, I’d have probably taken the career I’ve had so far. As a 17-year-old, drinking in Huddersfield with my mates and playing football for £20 per week, I’d have snapped your hand off to be a professional footballer. At that age, I never thought it would happen so I’ve got to be happy with what I’ve done and achieved.”
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HARROGATE TOWN AFC SENIOR PLAYING SQUAD 2020-21
James
Belshaw
Warren
Ryan
Fallowfield
George
Burrell
Thomson
Jake
Joe
Lawlor
Cracknell
Dan
Will
Josh
Jones
Smith
Falkingham
William
Mark
Hondermarck
Beck
Brendan
Connor
Kiernan
Aaron
Martin
Jon
Kirby
Stead
22 Lloyd
Jack
Kerry
Muldoon
24 Josh
Edward
Hall
Francis
Kevin
Jay
25 Melvin
March
Connor
Minter
Tom
Walker
27 Lokko
Williams
28 Josh
McPake
Harrogate Town AFC The EnviroVent Stadium Harrogate HG2 7SA
29 Mitchell
Roberts
30 Simon
Power
31 Josh
Andrews
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