HARROGATE TOWN

Vanarama National League

Tuesday 14th August 2018

Kick Off: 7.45pm

 

Stadium:

CNG Stadium, Wetherby Road, Harrogate HG2 7SA

 

Telephone:

01423 210 600

 

Club Colours:

Yellow & Black

 

Nickname:

The Town

 

Key Personnel:

Simon Weaver is the current manager at newly promoted Town. He has been at the helm since 2009. A defender who started out as an apprentice at Sheffield Wednesday he played at a host of clubs notably Nuneaton Borough, Lincoln City, Tamworth, Kidderminster and Scarborough.

 

Brief Directions by Road:

A 200-mile trip awaits. The trusty A1 has always been your friend in these guides – for a straightforward drive leave the A1 at Junction 47 and get onto the A59 signposted Knaresborough. Pick up the A658 towards Harrogate. At a roundabout, take the A661 (Wetherby Road) and the ground can be found on the right. Coming off at Junction 46 looks closer but it does take you “around the houses”. Harrogate is well signposted from whichever direction you travel.

 

Car Parking:

No parking at the ground I’m afraid and residents parking is in operation close by. Street parking is available about a mile away and of course, the Town Centre which is a 10-minute walk.

 

Directions by Train:

A lunchtime train from Kings Cross will take around 3 hours to reach Harrogate (with a change at Leeds). Getting home after the game via this option is not possible unless you like sleeping on a bench for 5 hours, once again at Leeds.

 

The ground is a 20-minute walk from the station (cabs always win for me).

 

Eating and Drinking Locally:

The Social Club at the ground is called the 1919 Bar which does allow visiting fans unless segregation is in place. The closest pub to the ground is The Woodlands (110 Wetherby Road) which will serve up a half decent Steak & Chips while the Empress is a 10-minute walk away in Church Square but serves very good food.

 

The catering inside the ground, according to my spies, is one of the best menus we will experience on our travels courtesy of ‘Burgers & More’, a local restaurant – gourmet style burgers and pies. You will hear great words about the Wellington Burger/Pie which is a burger stuffed with blue cheese and mushrooms encrusted in pastry. Me first…

 

Ground Description:

The club has occupied the site for nearly 100 years now. The small main stand occupies half of a touchline and is just 6 rows deep. To its left is a smaller construction which was originally built for sponsors and Directors box and to its right a flat standing area. 

 

Opposite is the Wetherby Road covered terrace. The Hospital End is compact covered terrace while the Clubhouse End is just that with a token standing area in front of the Social club and Dressing Rooms. The pitch is 3G artificial. Plans are afoot for extensions to the main stand and Wetherby Terrace, a new standing area at the Hospital end and even a new clubhouse.

 

Rivals:

Not here, this town is one of the most pleasant in the country, if you get mugged, you get a receipt for your property!

 

Admission Prices:

 

Advance online before 00.01 Tuesday 14th August:

Adults: 
£14 Standing £15 Seated

Concessions: 
£10 Standing £11 Seated (Over 65’s & disabled supporters

17-21:
£10 Standing £11 Seated

Under 16’s:
£5 Standing £6 Seated

 

On the day prices:

Adults:
£16 Standing £17 Seated

Concessions: £12 Standing £13 Seated

17-21: 
£12 Standing £13 Seated

Under 16’s:
£6 Standing £7 Seated

U5’s admitted free with a paying adult/concession.

 

Our Last Meeting & Memories:

I go back a long way with my club (people keep telling me this anyway) and I reckon this is the first time we have encountered Harrogate Town FC. My only connection with the town, if you are interested of course, was visiting the Daleside Brewery in the 1980’s – when I was fit and able to do that sort of thing – Monkey Wrench and Old Legover are brews that would appeal to those of you with a taste for real ale.

 

Overnight Stay Factor:

Now then, now then, a really lovely part of the country that attracts a high 7/10 (mainly because getting home after the game will be a nightmare). The town is very picturesque and is only an Edwin Stein corner kick away from the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

 

Celebrity Watch:

Well, there is……….er….and er…..yes Harrogate is not exactly the “Birthplace of Icons”. Let’s just say its full to the brim of nice people.