Football Season Guide

Harrogate Town are looking forward to a fourth season in the Football League and will be hoping to finally establish themselves. It’s been three years of struggle for the small Yorkshire side, who are punching above their weight simply competing at this level. Simon Weaver is the longest serving manager in the EFL and has done a remarkable job over the last 14 years. Their cherished status was under the greater threat last time around but they held their nerve and survived again. Their Achilles heel is an inability to defend and keep clean sheets and Weaver has looked to address it again this summer. Rod McDonald is an experienced centre-back and was persuaded to leave Crewe Alexandra. Matty Daly has made his loan move from Huddersfield Town permanent and will look to fill the boots of Alex Pattison, who has been the Sulphurites stand-out performer over last two seasons and has been enticed to make the short move to neighbours Bradford City. The only other significant departure this summer was expected. Winger Kazeem Olaigbe made a real impact whilst on loan from Southampton and will be difficult to replace. The loan market will again be crucial to their fortunes again this season. They haven’t made their move so far with the permanent signing of midfielder Dean Cornelius from SPL side Motherwell one to keep an eye on. Their key man will again be striker Luke Armstrong, who guarantees goals and will make the difference in their hopes of avoiding another relegation battle.