Harrogate youngster watches Leeds drama from bench…before sitting GCSEs today

Sixteen-year-old St John Fisher Catholic High School student and talented footballer Archie Gray enjoyed jubilant scenes in the Leeds United dressing room yesterday after the club secured their Premier League status.

But the celebrations didn’t last long as he had to be at school for 9am this morning to sit a geography GCSE.

Archie was an unused substitute in Leeds United‘s dramatic win over Brentford yesterday.

He’s in year 11 at the Harrogate secondary school and is still two years from legally being able to have a celebratory alcoholic drink with teammates.

Less than 24 hours after celebrating survival in Brentford with star internationals like Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips he was back in Harrogate to sit in a silent exam hall for his GCSEs.

St John Fisher deputy head Matthew Flanagan said Archie’s quick progress in his football career has been a “fantastic achievement”.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“From the school’s perspective, what impresses us about Archie is not just his sporting aptitude. He is polite, engaging and has a real humility about him.”

Read more:

The midfielder is yet to make his debut for the first team but scored a wonder goal for the under-23 team against rivals Manchester United earlier in the season.

In April he also captained England under-16s at a tournament in France.

Mr Flanagan called him a “wonderful ambassador” for St John Fisher.

“There is no sense of arrogance, he is popular with his peers. He’s a nice young man who deserves all the accolades and success that will come his way.”

Archie is highly rated by the club and was just 15 when former manager Marcelo Bielsa put him on the bench for a Premier League game.

He’s the great-nephew of Leeds legend, and Kirkby Overblow resident, Eddie Gray.

Harrogate Town to spend £3.5m improving ground

Harrogate Town‘s EnviroVent Stadium is to undergo a £3.5m upgrade, which will include a new seated stand, match day bar and improved ticketing facilities.

Chairman Irving Weaver is footing the bill, which the club said in a statement will help the board’s ambition of creating a “sustainable and thriving club, for future generations to enjoy”.

The new stand will increase the ground’s capacity above the current limit of 5,000 fans. It will replace the Myrings Terrace and will be able to hold 2,000 fans.

A new bar will please fans, who have been unable to get a drink at games since they were promoted to the English Football League in 2020. This is because away fans are now segregated in the Myrings Terrace, which includes the 1919 bar.

Also planned is an extension of the corporate hospitality area, with more space for diners.

Home since 1920

The ground on Wetherby Road has been home to the Sulphurites since 1920, but in recent years it has struggled to keep pace with the club’s rapid rise up the divisions into the English Football League.

Fans were banned from a pre-season friendly against Sunderland last summer after North Yorkshire County Council found 17 “unacceptable risks” at the ground, which were related to fan safety.

Problems with the ticketing system also left some fans unable to attend a home match against Stevenage in September.

Read more:

Chief executive Sarah Barry said the club had listened to feedback from fans, which has helped to shape how the money will be spent.

She added that she hopes the investment, which will include an improved ticketing system, will improve the matchday experience.

Ms Barry said:

“This is a really exciting time for our club.  It’s now two years since we were promoted to the EFL for the first time in our history. As we come out of the pandemic and get back to regular fixtures and crowds, the time is right for us to invest in our future.

“Our proposals stem from listening to feedback from fans in a number of areas.  Easier ticketing, better flow through turnstiles and an improved refreshments offering are some of the suggestions that have been made and have been taken on board.

“We want to enhance the match day experience for our loyal and dedicated supporters who make this club.  We’ve seen bigger crowds, welcomed more young families and teenagers to the EnviroVent Stadium lately and we want to sustain and grow this, retaining and attracting our committed supporters of the future.”

Harrogate Town commentator hangs up microphone after 40 years

The much-loved Harrogate Town matchday commentator for BBC Radio York has hung up his microphone after a four-decade career with the BBC.

Barry Parker is a familiar and idiosyncratic voice to Harrogate Town fans, commentating on the club’s games since 2015.

He also featured on Town’s live matchday stream, which was a lifeline to many fans during the covid pandemic when they weren’t allowed into the grounds.

His last game was at the weekend when Harrogate Town lost 2-0 at home to Sutton United. Fans paid tribute to Mr Parker by chanting his name at half-time.

Looking back on his career, Mr Parker said:

“When I came out of college in 1979 I had no idea what I was going to do.

“I’ve had 40 wonderful years doing a job that I loved and being paid for it — I’ve been so lucky.

“If I’ve done the job well, it gets appreciated not by one or two people but by thousands, which is very heart-warming.”

Read more:

The commentator was praised by Town boss Simon Weaver, who said he has been “absolutely magnificent” for the club.

He said:

“Absolutely brilliant commentary – and sometimes totally biased in our favour! I really do appreciate him, as do all the players and the faithful who haven’t been able to travel, especially due to the pandemic. Barry has been immense for the football club. Thank you so much Barry – you are always welcome at Harrogate Town.”

BBC Radio York’s executive producer Anna Evans added:

“Barry’s career with the BBC has been immense, spanning four decades. It’s rare to find someone so passionate about sport and radio. Following his final commentary game, we received so many messages from listeners sharing memories and wishing him well. It’s been an honour to have him as part of our team. We will miss him here at BBC Radio York.”

Harrogate Railway one step closer to promotion after semi-final win

Harrogate Railway Athletic are set to play North Ferriby in the tenth tier play-off final tomorrow.

After A 2-1 win against Brigg Town, Railway will play at the Dransfield stadium tomorrow.

Mick O’Connell, Railway’s manager, spoke about the win:

“We managed to get  a 2-0 lead going into half-time. We were very disciplined and were able to hold out. The lads were very bright in the first half and looked dangerous on the break.”

Railway travelled to Brigg Town for the semi-final and will play away again for the final. Mick said the away support was ‘great,’ with around 150  fans making the trip down to Lincolnshire.

Mick said:

“It was great, we had a full coach and more people travelled down to the game. We ended having around 150 supporters. I think they were able to get us through the last 20 minutes of the game.”

Mick O’Connell celebrating the win (Photo credit – Craig Dinsdale)

Joe Crosby, Railway’s midfielder, scored two goals in the first half to win the game. In the 90th minute, Railway were able to survive a ‘goalmouth scramble’ to prevent extra-time.

Read more:

North Ferriby FC, who finished second in the division, ended the year with the least amount of goals conceded.

Mick added:

“It’s a one off game so it will be a similar game plan. It’s a final so anything could happen but we have players up top who can cause trouble. We need to be ourselves and play the way we’ve done all year.”

The game will kick off at 3pm tomorrow and will be played at the Dransfield Stadium in North Ferriby. Tickets will be available on the gate.

Harrogate Railway FC set for Easter weekend play-off match

Harrogate Railway Athletic will play in the tenth-tier division play-off semi-final tomorrow.

After finishing fourth in the NCEFL (Northern Counties East Football League), Railway will travel to Brigg Town to play a ‘one off’ fixture.

Railway manager, Mick O’Connell, is a former jockey and took over in February 2020 when the club was struggling.

He’s turned the club into a play-off team with the second-best home defensive record in the division.

He said:

“It’s great. When we took over we were relegation favourites, so we had to come in and change the culture. We had players who were too comfortable with losing and it needed to change.”

Manager Mick O’Connell (Right.) Photos by – Craig Dinsdale

Speaking about playing the match away, Mick said:

“It was a shame we couldn’t get the home game, but we have to treat it like any other match. We won’t go too gung-ho as it is a one off game. We ended the year in a good run of form so we are confident and we have a couple of sessions the week before the match to freshen the lads up.”

Read more:

Formed in 1935, Railway are the second highest semi-professional team in the district, after Knaresborough Town. If they win the play-offs, they will be promoted to the ninth tier of English football.

In the 2000’s, Harrogate Railway reached the second round of the FA cup twice, playing Bristol City and Macclesfield Town. With a record attendance of 3,500 in 2002, it will be the twenty year anniversary of their match against Bristol later this year.

Michael Edwards, the club chairman, said:

“With our budget, we were fighting above our weight this season, but we just had to consolidate the right players around Mick (O’Connell.) We just want to play at the highest level possible without damaging the club financially. Hopefully success can bring more sponsorship opportunities to the club.”

Harrogate Railway Athletic will play Brigg Town on Saturday 16th April. The game will be held at the EC Surfacing Stadium and will kick off at 15:00. Tickets will be available at the gate.

Harrogate Town’s longest-serving player to retire

Harrogate Town‘s longest-serving player, Lloyd Kerry, will retire at the end of the season and join the club’s staff.

The hard-working midfielder, 33, signed from Tamworth in 2014 and has been a key cog in the team’s rise up the divisions and into the English Football League for the first time.

He’s played over 220 times and helped the club win promotion from the National League North and the National League, starting in the memorable Wembley play-off final against Notts County in August 2020.

He lifted a trophy at Wembley again last year in the FA Trophy and manager Simon Weaver said in a statement he will go down as a “club legend” for his achievements and service.

Kerry’s last game will be on the final day of the season when Harrogate Town host Sutton United on May 7.

Read more:

He will take up a new role at the club as head of player recruitment, scouting players for the first team and the academy.

Kerry said:

“I look back to when I first joined this football club in 2014 to where it is now eight years on and it’s unbelievable how far we’ve come and the success we’ve had! I’m grateful to have been on that journey which has created so much history for this club, I can always look back with pride of what we achieved together.

“We’ve made memories that will last us a lifetime and to have played my part is something I’ll never forget.”

Chairman, Irving Weaver also paid tribute to the midfielder. He said:

“Together we have enjoyed some great moments, particularly promotions and winning the FA Trophy. Lloyd moves on to a new roll with the club, now responsible for scouting and recruiting new players and he’s already beginning to make his mark, just like he has in 220+ games for Town.”

Claims new Bilton woodland will spoil open space

A woman in Bilton says thousands of trees that are being planted in fields close to Nidd Gorge will spoil a wildlife meadow and treasured open space.

Harrogate Borough Council is currently planting the trees in Bilton Fields as well as at Upper Horse Shoe Fields in Knaresborough.

The planting is part of the government’s White Rose Forest initiative to create 10 community forests in England. Oak, hornbeam, hazel, alder, cherry, crab apple and other native trees will be planted.

Rowen Hardcastle, who owns a dog walking business in Bilton, was brought up in the Harrogate suburb and said she has spent over 40 years enjoying the fields. Her husband even proposed to her in the fields because he knew how much she liked spending time there.

Ms Hardcastle said she is in favour of more trees being planted in the district to improve the environment, but the location means it will spoil one of the few open spaces in the area. In the summer, it is a popular spot for games of football and family picnics.

She said:

“It’s not the trees at all, it’s the positioning. It was a beautiful wild flower meadow with kids running around it.

“But they’ve gone right across the kids’ playing pitch. Now they can’t have a kickabout without damaging the trees.”

A map of where the trees will go. Credit – HBC

Read more:

The new woodland will have footpaths and some open areas but Ms Hardcastle said many people, particularly women, like to walk in the open fields as they feel safe.

She believes the planting should have been done in a more sympathetic way that retained more open space.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of elderly ladies. They’ve walked around there for last 60 years because it’s safe, but future generations won’t have this vast open space.”

A council spokesperson said:

“The White Rose Forest is the community forest for North and West Yorkshire that works in partnership with local authorities, landowners, businesses and communities to plant more trees across the region, improve our natural environment, combat climate change, create jobs and provide happier and healthier places for us all to live, work in and enjoy.

“The scheme has been well received since it was first adopted by the council. And has been publicised widely in the local media – including on the Stray Ferret in both December 2020 and October 2021 – along with the council’s Residents’ News and on social media.

“The planting of the trees reflects what the Royal Forest of Knaresborough would have originally looked like and will complement the surrounding area, create open areas and natural footpaths through the existing fields.

“More than 40% of the site will remain as ‘open space’ and wildflower meadows will be established and managed to further encourage biodiversity, help address the climate situation and deliver carbon reduction initiatives throughout the Harrogate district.

“Funding for the White Rose Forest project has come from the government’s Trees for Climate Fund. The funding covers planting, establishment and management of the woodland for 15 years.”

Pannal Ash juniors take home the cup

Pannal Ash Whites U14’s won the Leeds and District Cup on Sunday.

The team won the trophy after a hard-fought 3-0 victory over Wortley at Whitkirk FC.

After a good start, the team survived an early scare when Wortley hit the crossbar.

Two goals from Henry Collings saw the Whites take a 2-0 lead at half-time.

The win was capped off with a long-range effort from Jamie Stokoe.

Head coach Dave Holdsworth said.

“We’re delighted that a great set of boys who support and work so well together have their reward. This trophy is hard-earned and reflects what can be achieved with effort, practice and respect for others in the game. Brilliant achievement! Well done to all the lads!”

Read more:

Next up for the U14’s is the County Cup final on 24th April against Yorkshire Amateurs.

Pannal Ash Whites U14 squad are: Toby Sharkey, Otis Baker, Sam Caine, Charlie Dunsmore, James Meehan, Aaron Brompton, Sam Grass, Charlie Moss, Oliver Holdsworth, Lewis Jalal, Kuba Balcerzak, Henry McQuade, Henry Collings, Jamie Stokoe

Whilst the under 14s picked up the trophy, the club’s under 11’s team lost 6-1 in their final Leeds and District Cup final against Hunslet Club, which was also played on Sunday.

Harrogate student scores wonder goal for Leeds youth team

St John Fisher Catholic High School student and Leeds United player Archie Gray scored a wonder goal at Elland Road last night in front of almost 10,000 supporters.

The 16-year-old midfielder scored the third goal as the club’s under-23 team beat rivals Manchester United.

Gray is the great-nephew of Leeds legend, and Kirkby Overblow resident, Eddie Gray.

Highly rated by the club, he’s already featured as an unused substitute twice for the first team in the Premier League aged just 15.

Leeds director of football Victor Orta has compared Gray to a young Sergio Aguero and former manager Marcelo Bielsa said he will eventually achieve elite status in the game.

Take a look at his goal last night, which was struck from 35 yards.

https://twitter.com/LUFC/status/1503832673529311246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1503832673529311246%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leedsunited.com%2Fnews%2Facademy%2F29651%2Fu23s-live-updates-leeds-united-vs-manchester-united

St John Fisher has also sent its congratulations to the young player:

Huge congratulations to Year 11 student Archie Gray who scored for the @LUFC under 23 team last night. https://t.co/6HaRJ3bwnU

— St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate (@sjfchs) March 16, 2022

Read more:

 

Ripon online butcher acquired

An online butcher from Ripon has been acquired by specialist consumer brand investor Inverleith.

Farmison & Co has a focus on British heritage and rare breeds, and an ethical, sustainable supply chain. It sells beef and pork.

John Pallagi, Farmison founder and chief executive, said:

“We now have the backing to take the business to the next stage and for our mission to encourage more people to eat better meat.”

Harrogate jeweller to sponsor football team

Ogden of Harrogate is supporting grassroots girls’ football by sponsoring Pannal Sport Pythons under-12s.

Rob Ogden, director of Ogden of Harrogate, said:

“The girls are talented and passionate and it’s great to see this and be able to encourage it. Due, in part, to the lack of funding and interest in female football a lot of young talented players give up.

“We’re hoping that in a small way our support will encourage some of the girls to keep going and, who knows, we may have a future Lucy Bronze or Rachel Daly in the team.”

Chamber meeting to focus on social media

David Simister, who has been named as the new chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce.

David Simister (left), chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, with president Martin Gerrard.

Tonight’s meeting of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will include a talk on how to maximise social media in marketing strategies.

Held at Pavilions of Harrogate from 5.30pm, it begins with informal networking before expert speakers deliver their advice to the audience.

Meetings are open to all chamber members and free to attend for first-time visitors. Subsequent visits are £10 per person.

To book a place, email ceo@harrogatechamber.co.uk.