ABOUT
T WN ISSUE ONE WINTER 2020
UNDER THE
SPOTLIGHT JACK MULDOON, GEORGE THOMSON WILL SMITH AARON MARTIN
FIFA 21 WHO’S THE BEST AT HARROGATE TOWN
PLUS CROSSBAR CHALLENGE MATCHDAY VIDEOS 25 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AND SO MUCH MORE...
GETTING TO KNOW
CONNOR KIRBY, TOM WALKER, DAN JONES AND CALVIN MILLER
Harrogate’s Number 1 Family Estate Agent
About Town I 1
Contents Winter 2020
4 I JACK MULDOON PLAYER FEATURE INTERVIEW
19 I TOWN CROSSBAR CHALLENGE VIDEO FEATURE
9 I FIRST HOME EFL FIXTURE WALSALL VIDEO FEATURE
20 I WILL SMITH PLAYER FEATURE INTERVIEW
10 I CONNOR KIRBY GETTING TO KNOW
24 I TOM WALKER GETTING TO KNOW
11 I FIFA 21 MATCH FALLOWFIELD v KIRBY VIDEO FEATURE
26 I AARON MARTIN PLAYER FEATURE INTERVIEW
12 I GEORGE THOMSON PLAYER FEATURE INTERVIEW
32 I CALVIN MILLER GETTING TO KNOW
17 I NO PLACE LIKE HOME BARROW VIDEO FEATURE
36 I HARROGATE TOWN SQUAD 2020-21 SEASON
18 I DAN JONES GETTING TO KNOW 2 I About Town
CONTENTS
W
elcome to our new quarterly digital magazine collating the best digital and written content from the last few months.
This first edition includes interviews with four members of the first team squad, all of whom have taken very different journeys to professional football - Jack Muldoon, George Thomson, Will Smith and Aaron Martin. We hope you will find each piece an interesting insight into the player, the person and their story so far. This magazine is interactive and full of video content from our first few months as an EFL club. Make sure you check out our cinematic look at our first home EFL fixture against Walsall and the historic first ever EFL fixture played in Harrogate. Also included is our first ever intra-squad FIFA 21 match, with Ryan Fallowfield taking on Connor Kirby – both playing as Town of course! This season has been challenging from a media perspective, not only due to transitioning from the National League to EFL and the demands that brings, but also keeping everyone engaged with the club while not being able to attend matches. As a media team, it is our hope that the content in this magazine and across our social media channels continues to keep you connected with the club ahead of the long-awaited return to matches. Enjoy the read!
4 9
11
Hal
Hal Boxhall-Dockree Media Manager - Harrogate Town AFC
Harrogate Town Football Club 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
JACK MULDOON
JACK MULDOON
THE SCORER OF OUR FIRST NATIONAL LEAGUE GOAL, OF OUR FIRST FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOAL AND OF OUR FIRST FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOAL IN HARROGATE. ALL THREE TITLES BELONG TO ONE MAN, JACK MULDOON. THE 31-YEAR-OLD STRIKER IS NOW IN HIS THIRD SEASON WITH TOWN AND HAS BEEN A KEY PLAYER IN OUR RECENT SUCCESS. INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
CLICK HERE TO SEE JACK MULDOON’S FACTFILE
MULDOON WAS BORN in Scunthorpe and spent time in Scunthorpe United’s academy from the age of 11 to the under 16’s. He was offered a half contract with the youth team, which allowed him to train to be a footballer while still having an education, studying BTEC Sports Science.
“The first year at uni was just messing about. Everything was about the Varsity’s and sport on the Wednesdays, I loved that. A lot of my mates went travelling to America and Australia and I felt like that was my opportunity to do something on my own. I stuck just out of town rather than a million miles away.”
However, like so many youngsters, Muldoon found himself struggling for game time which prompted a move to Doncaster Rover’s youth side, run by Paul Wilson. The Town striker spent just under half a year with the Rovers before “pulling out” of the setup.
Despite enjoying his time at university, Muldoon never actually finished his degree. After 18 months of studying, he dropped out, confessing that the football lifestyle had begun to “sidetrack” him. The striker moved back home and then signed for Stocksbridge Park Steels, a club where current Premier League striker Jamie Vardy once played. It was at that moment that Vardy had just moved on to Halifax, with Stocksbridge needing an “off the shoulder” type striker to fill the void. Muldoon was the man to get the call and he stepped up, scoring over 20 goals in his first season.
“I just wasn’t enjoying being with the lads there,” Muldoon confesses. “I’d be getting on the train and bus there and back, starting my day at 5-6am to get home at 4-5pm for it to be the same scenario as at Scunthorpe.” The next step for Muldoon was to do another year of college to get his A-Levels to study at University. He would set up camp in Sheffield, studying Sports Technology at Sheffield Hallam University. Muldoon still had a strong passion for football and played for the University team. Alongside this, he played for Sheffield FC, before joining Glapwell in 2009. “I played there for a year on £130 cash, which as a student, was perfect,” Muldoon explains.
Two strong campaigns saw Muldoon move onto North Ferriby United in 2012. That season, they were crowned as Northern Premier League Premier Division champions, making the step up to the Conference North. However, Muldoon was told he wouldn’t be part of their plans and so signed with Worksop Town, becoming part of a front three which scored 106 goals. About Town I 5
“I ALWAYS LIKE SCORING IF IT MEANS WE’VE GOT POINTS OUT OF IT AND IT MEANS SOMETHING. MY FIRST GOAL AGAINST FYLDE IN THE FA TROPHY WAS A GOOD ONE AS IT GOT US INTO THE GAME.” JACK MULDOON
Soon after, Town’s number 18 got the chance to sign for Rochdale. At this stage of his career, Muldoon was 25 years old and had been a plasterer for six years. He signed a 13-month contract, giving up his job in the process. “That move was probably the best thing I could have done because it was a lesson in itself. Training with League One players brought me on leaps and bounds. I had jumped up five divisions and playing with those levels of players week in, week out was something I grasped quite quickly.” “However, I was massively out of my depth,” Muldoon continues. “I turned up to training knowing I was the worst player in the team and I didn’t really do much on the pitch but training every day, getting the fitness levels up, improving my touch, knowing where to be, it all helped.” With Muldoon struggling for game time, he spent the second half of the 2014/15 season on loan at Halifax. It was at the West Yorkshire club where Muldoon found some form but he was keen to play football closer to his home town of Scunthorpe. In the second last game of the season, Halifax played Lincoln City, in what was a pivotal moment for the striker. “I remember the week before that match, I rang Lincoln’s Gaffer saying I wanted to play for them on loan for the last couple games of the season. 6 I About Town
However, they wouldn’t take me and I ended up playing against them and I got MOTM. The gaffer rang me the next day and said he wanted to sign me for the following season.” Muldoon signed for the Imps and the spell at Lincoln brought about one of his career highlights, the special FA Cup run during the 2016/17 season. Under the Cowley brothers, Lincoln City made it to the quarter-finals of the competition, becoming the first non-league side to do so since 1914. The Imps defeated Championship side Ipswich Town, before beating top-flight side Burnley 1-0 to go through to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Their run came to an end at the hands of Arsenal at The Emirates, the team Muldoon supports. “It was a surreal moment,” Muldoon admits. “In the tunnel when we’re lining up, they had their full team out and I had Giroud standing next to me. You could feel the difference in quality. Their movement, touch, everything. I remember going into a shoulder to shoulder with Kieran Gibbs, I don’t usually come off second best but this time I did. Gibbs was stick thin and I remember he just sent me flying, I couldn’t believe it, he probably weighed 9-10st wet through but it just shows the strength they have.” At the end of that season, Lincoln got promoted
JACK MULDOON
to League Two but Muldoon wouldn’t be part of the next stage of their journey. He had been told he wouldn’t play as much and for Muldoon, it didn’t matter where or at what level, he wanted to keep playing week in, week out. AFC Fylde rang the striker, who signed a deal with the Lancashire club for the 2017/18 season. Muldoon played every game bar a couple and did well in that campaign, helping The Coasters reach the National League playoffs. However, at the end of that season, Muldoon was offered a 20% pay cut to stay, an offer he found “insulting”. “I had scored 11 goals from the wing that season, got them into the play-offs and was part of a good, strong team. The majority of them now play in League Two. There were quite a few who were offered a pay cut and straight away I turned it down, it was a bit of an insult, to be honest. I was living nearly three hours away, the travel costs come into it and being away from my family comes into it. If I wasn’t going to be rewarded for doing well then I wasn’t interested in staying. I think eight of us left at that time.” What followed was Muldoon’s arrival in Harrogate Town. He recalls his first training session being full of running, with the striker getting beaten by goalkeeper James Belshaw
in a specific drill. Muldoon had been warned by assistant manager Paul Thirlwell that Belshaw would be “right up there in the running”. Muldoon’s first goal came on his debut in the National League against Sutton United. After going 1-0 down, the striker equalised with a finish from four yards out, after George Thomson’s strike had rebounded off the Sutton keeper. It was Harrogate’s first-ever goal in the division, with the match finishing 2-2. Muldoon has made over 100 appearances for Town and scored 39 goals during that time, many that have been vitally important to Weaver’s side. “I always like scoring if it means we’ve got points out of it and it means something. My first goal against Fylde in the FA Trophy was a good one as it got us into the game. We went 2-1 up after initially being behind. They scored in the last five minutes to take it to extra time and I’ve managed to score the winner. Chesterfield away is another one as I got the last-minute winner to make it 3-4. I came off the bench that day, set the equaliser up for Lloyd Kerry and scored the next two to win the game.” This season, Muldoon has made a strong start to life in the Football League. He scored our
Jack Muldoon playing for Lincoln City in the FA Cup Quarter Final against Arsenal
About Town I 7
JACK MULDOON
first goal in the division in the 4-0 win against Southend, and then scored our first Football League goal back in Harrogate in the 1-0 win over Barrow. After the opening few games of the season, Muldoon had the best goal involvement ratio per 90 minutes in the entire Football League and was level on goals with the likes of Mohammed Salah come mid-October.
injected or eat. Then I’m up again at 6:30 am. I’ve got a kid and a dog to help sort out, then I have to check and deal with my levels again. I go to training, check them again, work out whether to eat again etc. I’ve got to base my whole life around it, which is fine, but it’s just one of those things. It’s a bit of a nuisance but I guess it keeps me on my toes.”
Like a fine wine, the older Muldoon has got, the better he has become.
The striker is a role model for many diabetic sufferers wanting to become athletes. He chats regularly to people on social media and he’s an example that challenges are there to be overcome.
“I think I’m more educated on what I should be doing now. I remember at Rochdale, there’d be times where I wouldn’t touch the ball all game, but I was running like a mad man. Now, I’ve picked up things and become a better player. I speak to Jon Stead quite a lot about composure in front of goal and he always says it’s about being ‘ice-cold’ and trying to make time stand still for you.” Muldoon’s success is even more impressive as he’s spent the last 18 years living with Type 1 Diabetes. It means Muldoon has to be extra careful about what he eats and how he exercises. “I came back from a school trip at about 12 years old about two stone lighter than I should be, my mum took me to the hospital and I was diagnosed with it. It’s another thing to think about,” he admits. “Most people will wake up in the morning, go downstairs, have breakfast and go. Whereas with me, I wake up at 3 am and test my sugar levels to see whether I need to be 8 I About Town
Muldoon isn’t looking too far ahead, with the striker settled and enjoying life at Town. He has a young family and is set to move into a new house soon, ready to “build his family from there”. When the time does come for the Scunthorpe man to hang up his boots, he thinks he’ll be able to look back on his career fondly. “I’ll look back and be pretty proud of my career. For eight years, I was playing at EvoStik level and below. I would never have expected to have done what I’ve done. It’s a bit of a cliché but I’ve done a really good job at being a professional footballer so I’m proud and have no regrets about what I’ve done. I’ve always thought I’ve made the right decisions and it’s always been a mature decision so I know I can be happy with that.”
V ID EO FE TU A
TOWN 2 - 2 WALSALL About Town I 9
E
SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 KEEPMOAT STADIUM
R
AFTER 106 YEARS TOWN HOSTED AN EFL FIXTURE
GETTING TO KNOW...
CONNOR KIRBY WE WANTED TO GET TO KNOW SUMMER ARRIVAL CONNOR KIRBY A BIT BETTER SO HIT HIM WITH OUR QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS...
About Football... Player you pretended to be when you were a kid? Roy Keane. Team you followed as a lad? Manchester United. Best goal you’ve ever scored? Actually in training with Macclesfield last year - I hit a volley from way out that went in off the bar. If money was no object, which player would you sign for Town and why? Cristiano Ronaldo - he’s a great player, and has such a winning mentality. Best moment of your career so far? It would be my professional debut for Sheffield Wednesday in 2018 against Reading in the Championship. I came on as sub and we won, so it was a special day. Best player you've played against? Barry Bannan while I was at Sheffield Wednesday. If you could play in any other position than your own what would it be? Striker. Do you have any superstitions before games? Always wear the same pair of boxers for a game (washed each time of course) and put on my left sock first. If you could add one strength to your game what would it be? Definitely to score more goals. Pick four players for your dream 5-a-side team? Messi, Neymar, Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba. What's your favourite stadium? Old Trafford.
CHILD IDOL: Roy Keane
10 I About Town
SEE CONNOR KIRBY’S FACTFILE
About Life... Do you have any brothers or sisters? One brother and one sister. Best ever holiday? I went to Cancun with my girlfriend - amazing place and superb beaches loved it. What’s your favourite and least favourite food? I love a good steak. Least favourite would have to be sprouts - can’t stand them. Favourite song? Tough one as there’s alot of songs I like but I do listen to “Non Stop” by Drake alot. Biggest career influence? My dad - he’s always supported me in my career. Were you well behaved at school? I’d like to think I was yes - my teachers may disagree though! What was your first car, what do you drive now and what is your dream car? My first car was a Vauxhall Corsa, I now drive a Mercedes A Class and my dream car would be an Aston Martin.
BEST HOLIDAY: Cancun
BEST OPPONENT: Barry Bannan
V ID EO FE TU A
vs
KIRBY About Town I 11
E
FALLOWFIELD
R
WHO IS THE BEST FIFA PLAYER AT HARROGATE TOWN?
12 I About Town
GEORGE THOMSON
GEORGE THOMSON
HARROGATE TOWN MIDFIELDER GEORGE THOMSON HAS BEEN PART OF SIMON WEAVER’S GROUP SINCE THE START OF THE 2017/18 SEASON AND THE 28-YEAROLD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN TOWN’S RISE TO THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE. INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
CLICK HERE TO SEE GEORGE THOMSON’S FACTFILE
ORIGINALLY FROM MELTON MOWBRAY, Thomson played with Mowbray Rangers until the age of 12. Even at a young age, Thomson had a natural sporting ability. He played tennis at county level and had footballing trials at both Leicester City and Derby County. It was before his 14th birthday that a successful trial with Nottingham Forest saw him focus his sporting future on football. Thomson joined Forest’s grassroots set up before signing a two-year scholarship with the academy. As Thomson explains, signing a scholarship at 16 meant he had a lot of growing up to do in a short space of time. “The scholarship was a full-time job. I left home at 16 and that’s when everything got more serious. It was a great time and a big learning curve having to mature quite quickly and moving out. I had to leave all my mates at school so it was completely different.” During his time at the academy, Thomson got the opportunity to play against big teams in many different countries. However, none of it would have been possible without the support of his parents, who took Thomson wherever he needed to go to play the sport he loved. Nottingham Forest would do a yearly trip to Holland for a youth tournament, with the whole squad travelling on a coach to get there. One year though, Thomson had gone on a
staycation holiday with his family, meaning he was set to miss out on the trip. Thomson recalls how his dad woke up at a “stupid time” in the morning to drive him to Dover to join the squad for the trip. It’s moments like that which Thomson looks back on with great gratitude. “It would have been quite easy for them to say ‘give it a miss’ this year but they didn’t,” Thomson says. “When you’re younger, it sounds horrible to say it but you just expect your parents to do these things when really, it’s their time and money and I’m not contributing anything to it. It’s when I look back at it now that I can appreciate it.” Thommo was part of a talented group, one which won their regional division and played Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier Academy League. Despite the ability among the group, when the two-year scholarship came to an end, only a couple of players received professional contracts. Thomson had had a strong two years, especially in his second year, scoring 20 odd goals. It made the rejection a hard pill to swallow. At this time, William ‘Billy’ Davies was the Forest manager and he’d removed the reserve side, meaning it went it was U18s side straight to the first team. Although Thomson didn’t expect to make that switch, he did think it About Town I 13
“BUT TO THEN MOVE TO SPAIN WITHOUT MY FAMILY AND LIVE OUT THERE WAS A MASSIVE THING FOR ME TO DO. IT TOOK A BIT OF TIME TO SETTLE IN BUT I LOOK BACK AT THAT AS A REALLY ENJOYABLE TIME.” GEORGE THOMSON
was “strange” not to be offered a third year as a scholar. Thomson joined in a massive pool of players looking for a club. There were a couple of options for him; go to university for three years to study sports science, or go for trials at different clubs hoping to get a lucky break. Town’s number seven had trials at several clubs and even went to Norway where he was offered a contract. However, he turned that down explaining it “wasn’t the right next step”. It was through the Glenn Hoddle Academy that Thomson continued his journey. The academy took over Jerez Industrial, a club in the south of Spain who were struggling financially. Hoddle put in the money needed and the agreement was that the players from his academy would get to play for the side. “It was full-time football and I was out there for 18 months,” he explains. “I said I had to mature at 16, moving into digs. But to then move to Spain without my family and live out there was a massive thing for me to do. It took a bit of time to settle in but I look back at that as a really enjoyable time. It was such a different way of life and even the football was completely different. It was much more technical. Playing in a men’s league, it massively developed me as a person and footballer.” A good time in Spain was cut short when a falling out between the club and academy led to 14 I About Town
Thomson and his teammates returning to England early. When back home, Thomson trained at Bisham Abbey but the academy started pushing for people to play for non-league clubs and get trials elsewhere. Thomson ended up with brief spells at Hinckley United and Histon before starting to settle at King’s Lynn FC. Now 20 years old, he was now at Loughborough University studying sports science alongside playing football. “I went to university thinking I needed to do as well as possible with my degree as it didn’t look like I was going to get my break,” Thomson explains. “It was no good thinking I could be a pro player. As time goes on, you start to fall behind people who are getting jobs and climbing ladders for whichever company they work for.” Thomson had an impressive spell at King’s Lynn, which attracted the attention of Chester City. A successful trial followed with the club saying they wanted Thommo to join but they didn’t have the budget to sign him. So, the move fell through and he stayed at King’s Lynn, scoring 20 goals by Christmas in the 2013/14 campaign. Chester then came back in January and signed the midfielder until the end of the season. Thomson moved to Liverpool to play football while still studying for his degree based in Loughborough, in what was a “stressful” period.
GEORGE THOMSON
Injury, knotted with not getting a chance to impress led to a two-month loan at FC United of Manchester. The Manchester club would buy out the remainder of Thomson’s Chester contract to keep him. It was now back to part-time football, meaning Thomson had a job teaching PE in schools around Bradford. But at the end of the 2016/17 season, the situation started to change. Following success in the Manchester Cup Final against Stalybridge, a visit to a Costa Coffee in Bradford was had with Simon Weaver and Paul Thirlwell as they looked to sign the midfielder. It didn’t take much convincing for Thomson with the lure of full-time football a “massive” attraction. Thomson would be late on his first day as it took “forever” to navigate his way to Wetherby Road. He recalls Thirlwell shouting ‘I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come!’ It certainly wasn’t. Thommo made his debut in a 4-0 win against Nuneaton, scoring a rare headed goal. “I used to drive in with Aingey (Simon Ainge) to games and we had a chat in the car about how many goals I wanted to score that season. I said that I don’t really set targets but I’d like to score a header. After scoring, I remember turning to Aingey with that look of well now I’ve done that!” Thomson had a memorable and important
season, scoring 13 and helping Town secure promotion to the National League. When asked about his favourite goal, a screamer during that first season against Boston United stands out. “It’s probably the best goal I’ve ever scored,” Thomson chuckles. I had a shot from just outside the 18-yard line but it wasn’t central. I hit it with my left foot and it went right in the postage stamp. I enjoyed that because I’d been getting a bit of grief from their fans. You can see in my celebrations I go straight past their fans, giving it back a little bit.” In his first season in the National League, Thomson made over 40 appearances and scored eight times as Town made it to the play-offs. It was a solid base for Thomson to build on but come to the start of the 2019/20 campaign, it didn’t go as planned. Thomson was told by the Gaffer he wasn’t in the squad for the first matchday and that continued for the nine weeks. “As a footballer, it’s the worst place to be. You’re not doing the thing you love to do and the thing you’re paid to do. It was hard.” There were talks and opportunities for Thomson to go out on loan but the midfielder decided he wanted to “stay and fight” for his place.
About Town I 15
GEORGE THOMSON
Fallowfield were put in a room together. Thommo was given a secret task to prank the right back in front of the squad.
Eventually, the opportunity came around, away to Halifax on a Tuesday night. Thomson was involved in the winning Town goal and then scored the first goal in the next match against Sutton in a 2-0 win. It looked like Thomson’s season was about to lift off, but he then felt something in his hip in the dying seconds of the match, after passing the ball just a few yards. Thommo would only last five minutes the following training session, with a scan revealing a 6cm tear in his hip. However, within 10 days, he was back in training but the side was now settled. It wouldn’t be until the end of November that Thomson would return into the fold. He came on as a substitute against Chesterfield at home to bag two assists, including setting up Ryan Fallowfield for what Thommo describes as “the best goal Ryan’s ever scored” After that, Thomson made the right-wing position his. It was a period of his career where the Leicestershire man learned a lot about himself. “It was a different season for me but one where I definitely grew as a person and learned how to handle and deal with setbacks. “I had to show some mental strength to come back as it would have been easy to go out on loan to lower divisions and take the easy route out. Something inside me made me stay and fight.” Thomson was rewarded for holding on, as he would go onto play a key role in our Promotion Final at Wembley, scoring the first goal of the contest. For his goal, it was a cross from a good mate of his that set it up. Thomson and Fallowfield have built a strong bond both on and off the pitch, and it all began during Thomson’s first pre-season. The squad stayed at Ripley Castle for team bonding with Thomson and 16 I About Town
“I had to try and get Ryan to wear a three-piece suit for the dinner,” Thomson explains. “Immediately I was thinking ‘how am I going to do this?’. It gets to the night and I’m playing it through my head getting him to do this without suspicion. We started getting changed and I’m struggling to keep a straight face. He puts his jacket on and he’s really gone for it. We walked across the road to where we were eating and then I pulled the ‘I’ve forgotten my phone’ card. I ran back to my room, started to get changed and then the door opened with Ryan standing there, and he goes ‘it’s not even meant to be a suit!’. He sees me taking my suit off and he realises straight away I’ve tried to stitch him up. I think he saw all the lads in jeans and t-shirts and quickly made a U-turn.” The two have shared a room on away trips ever since and now have formed a real friendship, with the right-back even painting Thomson’s living room the day he moved in. Both have played prominent roles in Town’s start to life in the Football League with the midfielder enjoying the new challenge. It’s a height in Thomson’s career he wasn’t sure he’d ever reach and he never expected Town’s rise to happen this quickly. “If anything, I thought the dream of the Football League was getting further and further away from me. I knew we wanted to go up and progress, but did I think we’d be in League Two in three years? No, I didn’t. The club as a whole, the way they’ve gone about it since I’ve been here has been unreal. Everyone has been on the same page and pulled in the same direction. From top to bottom, it’s been unbelievable.”
V ID EO
NEW PITCH NEW STAND NEW LEAGUE TOWN COME HOME
FE TU A
About Town I 17
E
TOWN 1 - 0 BARROW
R
SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 ENVIROVENT STADIUM
GETTING TO KNOW...
DAN JONES
WE WANTED TO GET TO KNOW SEASON-LONG LOAN SIGNING DAN JONES A BIT BETTER SO HIT HIM WITH SOME QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS...
About Football...
Player you pretended to be as a kid? David Beckham, great player and I supported United when he was there and when he moved to Madrid, I supported Madrid! Team you followed as a lad? Newcastle United – these days I’m not too fussed unless they win. Best goal you’ve ever scored? Wrexham away when I was playing for Barrow. I ended up playing on the right wing, chopped in and whipped it in top bins. Think we drew the game 3-3. If money was no object, which player would you sign for Town? Kevin De Bruyne. He pulls the strings and I don’t think anyone of the lads would complain to lose their place in the team to him. Pick four players for your dream 5-a-side team? Brazilian Ronaldo, Beckham, Neuer, Kevin De Bruyne. Best moment of your career so far? Staying up with Hartlepool United. We call it the ‘great escape’ season as we were bottom of the league by 15 points at Christmas and then stayed up! Best player you’ve played against? When I was at Sunderland I came up against Jordan Henderson in a behind closed doors match. He was the same as he is now, so much energy and he controlled the game. If you could play in any other position than your own what would it be? Striker if I was good enough, could grab all the goals then. If you could add one strength to your game what would it be? Be able to use my right foot as at the moment it’s just for standing on. What’s your favourite stadium? Fratton Park, 25,000 crowd when I played there.
FAVOURITE SATIUM: Fratton Park
18 I About Town
SEE DAN JONES’S FACTFILE
About Life...
Do you have any brothers or sisters? I have an older sister who is 29 and younger brother who is 16. Best moment of your life so far? Seeing my Grandad recover from being seriously ill, he went into hospital and then came out, meaning we got the chance to spend another few years with him. Which living person do you most admire? My dad, he took me to football for 20 odd years and comes to every home game, I know it’s been killing him not being able to come to games. Best ever holiday? Thailand for three weeks last year, it was unbelievable. At the time, I wasn’t keen to go but my Mrs forced me into it and I loved it and got the chance to feed some elephants. What’s your favourite and least favourite food? I really like liquorice which is controversial and I don’t like tomatoes, any kind, even pizza is debatable for me because of the tomato. What was your first car, what do you drive now and what is your dream car? First car was a Ford Fiesta, a little silver one which I loved. I’ve just got a 4 series BMW car now. My dream car would be an Aston Martin, with all the ‘James Bond’ mods.
BEST HOLIDAY: Thailand
BEST OPPONENT: Jordan Henderson
V ID EO FE TU A
DID ANYONE HIT IT? About Town I 19
E
THE CHALLENGE IS ON
R
HARROGATE TOWN CROSSBAR CHALLENGE
20 I About Town
WILL SMITH
WILL SMITH
JOINING LAST SUMMER, WILL SMITH WENT ON TO PLAY MORE GAMES THAN ANYONE IN TOWN’S PROMOTION WINNING SEASON. WE TALK TO HIM ABOUT HIS TIME AT THE CLUB SO FAR, HIS AIMS AS A PLAYER AND HIS CENTRE BACK PARTNERSHIP WITH CONNOR HALL. INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
CLICK HERE TO SEE WILL SMITH’S FACTFILE
IT WAS IN JUNE LAST YEAR when a deal was agreed between Barnsley Football Club and Harrogate Town for the transfer of at the time 20-year-old defender Will Smith. The young defender had spent five years with the South Yorkshire side’s academy, captaining their U23s and making his first team debut in the Checkatrade Trophy victory over Bradford City.
two-year scholarship with Barnsley FC in what
Smith had also spent time on loan at Darlington but when the 2018/19 season ended and the offer to play at Harrogate arose, the Leeds born lad had a decision to make. It was either drop down the divisions for first team football or stay at Barnsley and hope for a lucky break.
you’ve made it but you soon realise you have to
“For me, a key thing when deciding to join Harrogate was getting game time. It was the next step for me.” Smith explained. “To move down to the National League from being at Barnsley was not necessarily a risk but it was a chance I took and it’s paid off massively.” The centre-half has always had a love for football, first kicking a ball when playing for Calverley under 7s managed by his dad. Smith would regularly tell his mum that he wanted to be a footballer and at the age of 15, he got a
was the beginning of his career. “It was really good at Barnsley to get a twoyear scholarship at the age of 15,” Smith says. “I felt top of the world at the time but you soon get brought back down to earth to what it’s actually all about. You realise you’ve not made it as a scholar. When you first sign on, you think work hard to be able to get a pro contract. It’s not easy, it was a real test but a good one which prepared me better for life. I had a good five years there, nothing but positive memories.” Smith’s move to Town saw him become an instrumental figure in the promotion season, with the defender making the most appearances of any Harrogate player last campaign. However, not many would have expected the youngster to slot straight into the side. At the start of the season, it looked like Connor Hall and Callum Howe would be the partnership at the back. However, the sale of Howe to Solihull Moors unlocked the chance for Smith and it was one he grabbed with both hands. About Town I 21
“ FOR ME, A KEY THING WHEN DECIDING TO JOIN HARROGATE WAS GETTING GAME TIME. IT WAS THE NEXT STEP FOR ME. TO MOVE DOWN TO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FROM BEING AT BARNSLEY WAS NOT NECESSARILY A RISK BUT IT WAS A CHANCE I TOOK AND IT HAS PAID OFF MASSIVELY.” WILL SMITH
“When I first joined, I didn’t expect to get the number of minutes that I did. I was lucky how the opportunity opened up for me,” Smith admitted. “Playing with Connor, we’ve got to know each other really well, seeing one another every other day and building a strong partnership.” That partnership contributed to 15 clean sheets last season, helping the club reach Wembley, to then do the job against Notts County and secure a place in the Football League for the first time in the club’s 106-year history. Quite humbly, although Smith acknowledges he played a big part, he’s keen to stress that it was the whole team that achieved promotion.
no football would be played for several months. For Smith, a player who says football is his “life”, the stoppage meant he found himself with little to do other than walk the dogs. However, once the National League play-offs were announced, it was a chance for Smith to refocus and help create history. So far, the move up to League Two is a challenge Smith has relished and he believes the club has adapted well to the new surroundings.
“I think we [the defence] played our part last season but so did everyone. People scoring goals, getting assists. Some games it would be defenders winning the game, other times the attackers. I think it was a well-rounded team promotion.”
“For it to restart and for us to get through the play-offs and win at Wembley, I’d say it’s probably the best moment of my life so far. I think everybody is coping to life in League Two really well and we’ve carried last season’s form into this campaign. I don’t think we’ll struggle at all, I think we’ll be up there. I’ve noticed that sides like to pass the ball around a bit more and play a bit more football. In the National League, I think teams would rather go long than take the risk of playing out from the back.”
Gaining Football League status was no easy going, especially with a global pandemic ensuring
For Smith individually, the Leeds-born man sets himself targets which drive him on for the season
22 I About Town
WILL SMITH
ahead. The main one being keeping clean sheets, something he “prides” himself on getting. Smith though, also hopes to add more at the other end of the pitch after scoring two goals last season. “I want to try to play every game or as many minutes as possible this season and also contribute a few more goals. It’s something we’re working hard on in training to do. I can get quite disappointed when I don’t get things right or I make a mistake but it’s about keeping a level head otherwise it can ruin your game.” Coincidentally, Smith’s two goals came up against Saturday’s opponents, Barrow. It was a good afternoon for both Smith and his centrehalf partner, Hall, as the latter also got on the scoresheet in a 3-0 win. Smith expects this weekend’s fixture to be a tough encounter, facing the National League winners who are now managed by David Dunn, after Ian Evatt left at the end of last season for Bolton Wanderers. “Last season’s game was very good for me personally grabbing two goals and Connor
also scored, but we’ve got to do it again come Saturday, last season is gone and I’m sure we can put in a good performance at home. I think they’ll be a good team, they pass and move the ball well but with our energy and movement, I’m sure we’ll be up to the task.” Saturday also marks our return to Wetherby Road at the newly name Envirovent Stadium. Town spent the opening home fixtures at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium but now it’s time to return home. The grass pitch is ready and it’s a moment Smith is really looking forward to. “I think playing back at Harrogate will be a huge factor for us. It’s our home ground and we had a really good record last season. We got really used to the environment we created at the ground last season. We trained there and it’s going to be an advantage with the fans and for now, even without, as it has a different feeling about playing there. Hopefully we can get the fans back in soon as it’s a real advantage to us.”
About Town I 23
GETTING TO KNOW...
TOM WALKER WE WANTED TO GET TO KNOW SUMMER ARRIVAL TOM WALKER A BIT BETTER SO HIT HIM WITH SOME QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS...
About Football... Player you pretended to be when you were a kid? Ryan Giggs - loved the way he tormented some of the best defenders in the world. Team you followed as a lad? Manchester United. Best goal you’ve ever scored? For Bolton U23s half volley just outside the 18-yard box which flew into the top bins. If money was no object, which player would you sign for Town? Lionel Messi Best moment of your career so far? Making my professional debut for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship against Leeds in 2015. Best player you’ve played against? Patrick Roberts who plays as a winger at Manchester City. If you could play in any other position than your own what would it be? Centre Midfield. If you could change one rule in football what would it be? The hand ball rule at the minute! It’s been very prominent recently and needs sorting. If you could add one strength to your game what would it be? Improve my defending, tackling more. Pick four players for your dream 5-a-side team? David de Gea, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin De Bruyne. What’s your favourite stadium? The former White Hart Lane as I scored a hat-trick there in the youth cup with Bolton. Special day.
CHILD IDOL: Ryan Giggs
24 I About Town
SEE TOM WALKER’S FACTFILE
About Life... Do you have any brothers or sisters? A sister. Best ever holiday? Marbella with the boys! What’s your favourite and least favourite food? I love a Wagamama’s. Least favourite would be Macaroni Cheese – just don’t know how anyone can eat that! Not a great fan of cheese at all to be honest. Biggest career influence? My dad, he’s done everything for me and took me everywhere when I was young. My mum has been just as supportive though. Were you well behaved at school? Some years yeah, some no! What was your first car, what do you drive now and what is your dream car? My first car was a Seat Ibiza, I now drive an Audi A3 and my dream car would be a Lamborghini Urus Jeep.
FAVOURITE STADIUM White Hart Lane
BEST OPPONENT: Patrick Roberts
LIVE STREAM
Watch all Town’s EFL fixtures, home and away, LIVE!
GET YOU MATCH PAR TODAY FO SS R JUST
10
£
INCLUDIN COMMENT G ARY
Don’t miss a minute of the action
live.harrogatetownafc.com
About Town I 25
26 I About Town
AARON MARTIN
AARON MARTIN
FROM BEING A PART-TIME LABOURER TO BEING A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER PLAYING IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE. IT’S WHAT’S CALLED A DREAM. FOR 29-YEAR-OLD AARON MARTIN, IT’S THE REALITY. INTERVIEW BY HENRY WHITAKER
CLICK HERE TO SEE AARON MARTIN’S FACTFILE
AARON MARTIN HAS PLAYED his way through the divisions, starting life in Sunday league football to becoming an integral part of Simon Weaver’s squad. As a youngster, Martin played most of his football for Junior Blades in Sheffield, while also spending one year with Barnsley’s academy at the age of 13. Martin was released after just a year but wasn’t disappointed with the outcome. “It was quite serious [at Barnsley] stepping into the professional scene. It felt too much like a job for me at that age and I couldn’t enjoy playing football. Sometimes it was four times a week. After school, at that age, I just wanted to play with my friends and enjoy it.” Martin returned to Junior Blades and after seven years with the club, made the step up to men’s football. First was Staveley in the 2008/09 season, with a move to Worksop Parramore following the year after. At this stage of his career, Martin had played in midfield but his trial with Parramore’s changed everything. It wasn’t until after the trial, in the changing rooms when the head coach came up to Martin and said ‘you’re not a midfielder’. To Martin’s shock and at the time disappointment, the coach didn’t say anything else and left the room. “It seemed a negative comment at the time because of the manner he said it in. It had been me in midfield for the previous ten years or so.”
Fortunately, the coach did then pull Martin to one side and informed him that he thought the Sheffield man would be better off up top. It was a position Martin was unfamiliar with but once he started playing, everything fell into place. “I scored 28 that season,” Martin chuckles. “Before that moment, I never played striker. All of a sudden I start scoring and thought ‘it’s not bad this’. I tried to take the same energy from midfield into my new position, getting past players to score goals.” A successful season with Worksop Parramore’s prompted a move to Goole Town but it wasn’t all plain sailing for Martin, especially early on. It was a step up in division to the Northern Premier League and also a new disciplined environment Martin wasn’t used to. The head coach was a rather vocal one who at the time, Martin couldn’t get on with. “He’s someone I like now but at the time I didn’t like him at all as he gave me a hard time, he was really tough,” Martin admits. “He would shout directly in your face and with where my head was at the time, he was probably lucky I didn’t swing for him.” Martin confesses he was still a “kid” when moving to Goole. He was expected to come in and play like an experienced striker, despite him having little experience in the position. It made for an uncomfortable time, with Martin About Town I 27
“ I KNEW THE GAFFER HAD BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON ME AND A FEW YEARS BACK I HAD A TRAINING SESSION WITH THE GROUP TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE. IT PROBABLY DID COME AS A BIT OF A SURPRISE TO ME AS I DIDN’T THINK HE’D ACTUALLY EVER CALL AND TAKE THE PLUNGE.”
AARON MARTIN
considering quitting the sport he dedicated so much time to. “The situation lasted two or three months and I nearly quit football at that point,” Martin explains. “I first thought about quitting the team and I spoke to my cousin Vil, who was my strike partner at the time and he said to hang in there.“ But another month went by and it was a morale battering by the gaffer and I just didn’t want to play football. “It got to the point where I was getting shouted at so much I didn’t want to come to football as I knew the same thing was going to happen, I had no confidence.” Luckily for Martin, the manager did end up changing his approach and put an arm around Martin’s shoulder, rather than barking orders at him. With his confidence restored, Martin ended the campaign with 19 goals, the second-highest for Goole that season. Now 21, Martin made the switch to Sheffield FC, where he played for five seasons. The striker had put all his focus into football, aiming to be the best player he could. In 2017, Brighouse came in for Martin. He was now working as a labourer and playing football at the same time. However, bad luck struck as Martin got laid off from work and then found himself on the injury list for three months with a damaged ankle. Martin describes this period as a “hard point” as 28 I About Town
suddenly, the Sheffield man couldn’t play football or work. Nonetheless, his motivation to get back to playing football kept him going. “Football steadies the ship for me with that routine and focus. I had a lot of time to train while recovering. I tried to come back too early and got another knock which set me back a few more weeks. I think I missed 18 games during that period so it was half a season.” Martin would still go on to score 18 goals that campaign and the following season, the numbers continued to rise, with him scoring 30 goals. He was now back in work as a scaffolder in what he admits was “one of the toughest jobs” he’s done. Martin would be up at 5:30 am for a 6:30 start, work until the evening and then get his football boots on for the night fixture. “Especially at the beginning, it was very tiring. It started to take its toll on me during the season, playing Tuesday nights after waking up really early to then get back home at midnight. To be fair, I got managed really well. I played every minute of every game but sometimes I’d just be too tired for training. I’d get a week or two off and told to rest up and be ready for match days.” Such a strong season for Martin saw him move on again, this time to Guiseley where the striker started to feel he was getting “closer” to where he wanted to be. Martin had the luxury of choosing
AARON MARTIN
from a bunch of clubs chasing his signature, but his decision was always going to lean towards playing in the top division he could. “When I went there, it was a jump,” Martin says. “It was a really nice time as there was a lot of interest in me. I was having meetings with different managers and there were times where I could have gone to clubs in lower divisions for a lot more money. But it wasn’t about that for me, it was about the level of football I’d be playing. Time is against me so I want to look back and say I’ve played at the highest level I can.” 17 goals in the 2019/20 season for Guiseley was attracting interest from York City, with the striker set to sign after returning from Jamaica, where he was attending his Auntie’s funeral. However, a friend rang him to say Simon Weaver would match York City’s offer. Martin then met up with the Town boss and then, the rest, as they say, is history. “I knew the Gaffer had been keeping an eye on me and a few years back I had a training session with the group to see what it was like. It probably did come as a bit of a surprise to me as I didn’t think he’d actually ever call and take the plunge. It was nice and key for me that when I met up with him, that he had the confidence to want me. He believed in me and my abilities, and I needed to
that see for myself.” Martin signed [for Town] in March but wouldn’t meet his new teammates in person until that summer. Covid lockdown meant WhatsApp and Zoom were the only ways Martin could interact with the squad. Although Martin says it wasn’t an “uncomfortable” time, he did feel a bit “on the edge” as the group already had a strong bond. However, once he started training, it was all natural for Town’s new addition. The first session back was in preparation for Boreham Wood in the National League SemiFinal. It was full of running as the coaching staff needed to see what the squad fitness levels were like. For Martin, he was hoping the gap wouldn’t be too noticeable as he joined a group of full-time players. “There was an added nervousness for me as I was keen to impress from the start. I knew that I wasn’t going to be as fit as the rest of the lads but I didn’t want the gap to be too big. It turned out I was alright and managed to get myself through situations better than I thought I would.” Martin did more than just alright as he got the nod to start in the semi-final. It was a surprise to many, including Martin’s new teammate, Jon Stead.
About Town I 29
AARON MARTIN
Martin would only get two hours’ sleep, not the best preparation for the most important game of his life. He left his hotel room at 5 am and started to walk around Wembley Stadium, waiting for the first coffee shop to open at 6 am before messaging the squad group chat. “I sent a picture of a smoothie to the group chat and said ‘is there anyone else who can’t sleep?’. An hour or so later the messages started to come in with the ‘what are you doing?’ I think some of the lads seeing me nervous, made them nervous. I didn’t get back to sleep and they were asking me if I was going to be alright playing.” Martin continues “I didn’t eat much at the pre-match meal and then found out I was starting, it was a big shock, the pressure was on.” It was revealed in the BT Sport documentary ‘Proud To Be Town’ that Stead had a chat with the Gaffer over him being dropped, expressing his frustration with the decision. Martin didn’t know that’s how the conversation went down until the documentary was released. “It was great character of Steady, as without seeing the documentary, I would never have known he reacted that way. He’s never shown any sign of negativity towards me regarding that situation. He’s always tried to push me and give me bits of advice. I didn’t think I had a chance of starting. The team that was there were in form and had led each other to that moment. The fact he chose me gave me a lot of confidence and showed me that he had a lot of confidence in me.” Martin’s display against Boreham Wood helped Town to the win and it secured him a place in the starting XI for the final at Wembley. To play at Wembley is a footballer’s dream and for Martin, it was no different. He had no idea he was starting until a couple of hours before kick-off, but Martin found himself a bag of nerves the night before. “I couldn’t sleep the night before,” Martin admits. “I remember being in the hotel room with Scott Brown. We had the football on, and I remember thinking to myself ‘get an early night, get your rest’. As I closed my eyes, all I could think about was playing a Wembley, clips of me scoring, the ball hitting the back of the net on repeat, constantly.” 30 I About Town
When the squad walked onto the Wembley pitch for the first time, Martin says everyone was starting to get nervous, as there was dead silence for about 15 seconds as everyone took in the surroundings. However, like a switch being flicked, the mentality of the squad suddenly changed. There was a focus and thinking of “we need to win no matter what”. Martin didn’t know how long he was going to play for but the thought of losing, not doing everything he could was a something that would “haunt” the striker. An impressive performance helped Town to promotion and it stands as a life highlight for Martin. “The promotion is the highest moment in my life, up there with having my kids. I think the final is number one for me just because of what it meant to achieve something I didn’t think I could in such a short space of time.” Martin started life in League Two in perfect fashion, scoring in the 4-0 away win at Southend. The attacker believes this is just the beginning for this side who are going to get better and better. “This is a team full of winners and although we’ve come into this league as underdogs, we want to do more than just stay up. We want to achieve and go up again. We see ourselves as just as good as any other side in this division and on our day, we know we can beat anyone. I only see myself rising from here. I don’t think I’m at my best yet, there’s more to come and I can keep on improving.”
LE B E A H P IL T HO M S VA A RO B F LU C
TOWN MATCHDAY PROGRAMME ORDER NOW >
ALL FEATURED PLAYER INTERVIEWS HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THIS SEASON’S MATCHDAY PROGRAMMES Some clubs have moved away from the traditional printed programme this season, but we are determined to mark our debut season in the EFL in style so please help support our efforts behind the scenes by purchasing a programme if you can. About Town I 31
GETTING TO KNOW...
CALVIN MILLER About Football...
Player you pretended to be as a kid? Cristiano Ronaldo, I remember watching YouTube and seeing the skills, the way he strikes the ball, the knuckleballs. I’d play with my mates trying all his skills. Team you followed as a lad? Celtic is my team. I’m from Glasgow and all my family is Celtic. Best goal you’ve ever scored? Last year in a training session at Celtic, I scored a goal so good I’ve kept the video of it. I knuckleballed it from 35 yards straight into the stanchion. SEE CALVIN MILLER’S FACTFILE If money was no object, which player would you sign for Town? As a fan, I’ll say Ronaldo. Four other players for your dream 5-a-side team? Do you have any brothers or sisters? I have six in Buffon in goal, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Messi. total - five brothers and one sister! Best moment of your career so far? My debut for What is the best moment of your life so far? Celtic. As a fan, the emotions of doing something When I had my girl, Olivia. I had her when I was other boys only dream of doing was huge. I was that lucky lad who got the opportunity. To be around such 17 but it was the best thing to ever happen to me, a successful squad at such a young age was fantastic. it settled me down. I was just a young boy from Glasgow, a bit crazy, a bit daft. When Olivia came Best player you’ve played against? I was 16 years into the world, it changed me as a person, having to old and we were in Turkey for a friendly in the Italia provide for her. Cup against Galatasaray. I made my first team debut Best ever holiday? Dubai. I went there in 2019. and Wesley Sneijder was playing for them. I was so focused on myself and coming on for my debut that I The weather, the food, the pool parties. It’s like a different world. Everything is modern and there’s so don’t think I even realised who I was playing against. much to do and so many nice places. I didn’t realise what a moment that was at the time but when I speak about it now, it’s a ‘woah’ moment. What’s your favourite and least favourite food? If you could play in any other position than your own I love a Dominoes. I like to create my own and fling a bit of everything on it. I love chocolate as well. I hate what would it be? Maybe striker, I played there up mushrooms, I don’t know how anyone can eat them. to the reserves at Celtic, scoring lots of goals. I don’t have a big presence but I am fast so if I was playing What was your first car, what do you drive now and in a two up top it could work. what is your dream car? A black Renault Clio was If you could change one rule in football what would the first car. My current car, which I’ve just got, is a white E-class coupé Mercedes. An Audi RSQ8 is the it be? VAR, I just think its ruining the game for the dream car. The technology is amazing and looks like fans. It’s taking the best moments out of football, a spaceship inside, it’s class. especially for fans and players when it’s taking five minutes to make decisions. If you could add one strength to your game what would it be? My right foot. I don’t think it’s bad but I’d like to comfortably use it more often and change it up and go past the man a different way. What’s your favourite stadium? Celtic Park, knowing what the atmosphere is like on Champions League nights and when it’s an BEST OPPONENT: Wesley Sneijder FAVOURITE SATIUM: Old Firm, it has to be that stadium.
About Life...
Celtic Park
32 I About Town
25
DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
2020/21 SHIRTS
AVAILABLE NOW!
From the 1st to the 25th December (in conjunction with Harrogate Town AFC), we will be launching our ‘25 Days of Christmas’ promotion. This is great news for Town fans and a chance to learn about the work that the Community Foundation is undertaking, whilst building up to the big day! For each of the 25 days there will be a focus on; • Community programmes (showcasing the difference we are making locally) • Acts of kindness – showing how we are giving back to those in need • Special player content • Competitions, offers and prize giveaways Alongside the ‘25 Days of Christmas’ we will be launching ‘Harrogate Town AFC CIO’ as an officially registered charity and sharing our Community aims and objectives. This is a big step for the Community Foundation and one that we are extremely excited about.
Our 2020/21 Home, Away and Goalkeeper Shirts are now available to order online
PLUS Get all your promotion merchandise and so much more... Visit the online store at harrogatetownafc.com
About Town I 33
HARROGATE TOWN 2020-21
MANAGER
James
Ryan
Dan
Josh
Belshaw
Fallowfield
Jones
Falkingham
Will
Warren
George
Jack
Simon
Weaver
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Smith
Burrell
Thomson
Paul
Thirlwell
Emmett
GOALKEEPER COACH
Mark
Aaron
Jake
Joe
Beck
Martin
Lawlor
Cracknell
Brendan
Connor
Kirby
Jon
Stead
Lloyd
Kerry
Jack
Calvin
Connor
Tom
Phil
Priestley
HEAD PHYSIO
Kiernan
Rachel
Davis
CHIEF SCOUT
Muldoon
Miller
Hall
Walker
Lee
Barraclough Harrogate Town AFC The EnviroVent Stadium Harrogate HG2 7SA
Kevin
Lokko
www.harrogatetownafc.com
