Football Season Review

It was an impressive first season in the Football League for Harrogate Town, despite their lowly finish in the table. Simon Weaver’s side showed their promotion from the National League was no fluke. He built a talented squad and they made an impressive start to the new season despite having to play their first few home games at Doncaster Rovers Keepmoat Stadium. They lost just one of their opening eight league games but rather lost their way after that. The plastic pitch at Wetherby Road was ripped up but the new surface wasn’t given time to bed in with an unprecedented schedule of games and a poor run of form saw Weaver run out of patience. He made several additions in the January transfer window, pulling off something of a coup in capturing Rangers winger Josh McPake on loan. He was key to an improved showing in the second half of the season and there were never any worries about a relegation battle. Ryan Fallowfield impressed at right-back, although his season was disrupted with Long-Covid. George Thomson started the season on the right of midfield but was switched to a more central position and provided an array of assists. The highlight of the season came in the FA Trophy, which had been delayed from last season. They repeated their play-off win over Notts County in the semi-final before beating Concord Rangers 1-0 at Wembley to lift the silverware. Weaver will be hoping it is the springboard for a real tilt at the play-offs next season.

Player of the Season: George Thomson