Harrogate appoint new director of rugbySimon Weaver: Harrogate Town have been through a ‘cycle of change’

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has said the club has been through a “cycle of change” as they head into the second week of the new season.

Town got off to a winning start last weekend against Swindon Town, picking up three points after a 3-0 win at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Weaver told the Stray Ferret that the squad had undergone wholesale changes ahead of the campaign, which needed to be made alongside a fresh style of play.

Town played a 3-4-2-1 formation last weekend and gave debuts to the likes of Matty Daly — one of 10 new additions to the squad.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Crewe Alexandra, Weaver said he hoped the changes would bring greater depth to the squad and prevent Town from dropping falling away again later in the season.

He said:

“We hope so. We’re excited about the start of the season. We’ve made so many new changes — new style of play, new training ground.  We’ve had a whole cycle of change with the players.

“The last couple of years we just haven’t had the depth we needed. Injuries really hit us in the face. We’ve now got younger lads coming through and we can keep people fresh and have a good season throughout.”

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Debutant Daly, who is on loan from Huddersfield Town, was on the scoresheet in the opening game, alongside Jack Muldoon and Alex Pattison.

The formation and style contributed to Town scoring three of their five shots on target.

When asked if he was happy with how the season has started, Weaver said the club had “a long way to go”.

He said:

“We are only 10 metres into a marathon so we have a long way to go.

“We have more pace now. Last season the counter attacks against us were quite potent. We didn’t have the right shape defensively. We can now be more patient with the ball.”

Town take on Crewe at Gresty Road at 3pm tomorrow.

The Railwaymen were relegated last season after finishing bottom of League One.

Town will be without Rory McArdle, Will Smith, Josh Falkingham and Max Wright who are injured for the clash.

Ticket information is available here.

Harrogate Town’s new women’s manager leaves suddenly

The manager of Harrogate Town‘s women’s team has left — five days after his appointment was announced.

The club issued a press release last week saying Liam Cope had taken over the reins and had already recruited several players. He was also due to help with  player development.

But today a Town spokesman said “the agreement has since been ended and we are looking to recruit again”.

Cope, who has managed Ossett Town Ladies and been assistant manager at Leeds United Women, was due to arrive with a backroom team including a nutritionist and goalkeeping coach.

He said his ambition was to take the club to the next stage up the football pyramid by reaching the Women’s National League.

But the role is being advertised again. The closing date for applicants is Tuesday next week.

The Stray Ferret asked the club why Mr Cope had left suddenly and whether his backroom team would also not be joining the club.

A club spokesman said he understood “the club and Liam had mutually agreed that it would be best for him not to continue in the role”.

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Harrogate Town Ladies currently play in the North East Regional Women’s Football League, which is one step below the Women’s National League Division One North.

They play home matches on the 3G pitch at Rossett Sports Centre, with their first fixture scheduled to be at home to South Shields on September 4.

Mr Cope said it was a fantastic club and he didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone at it.

But he added it was a club “in a state of transition” and “I’m not at a stage in my life where I can join a club in transition”. He added he “wasn’t aware of the size of the project” when he agreed to take on the role.

 

BID advertises for new manager at £45k per year

A new manager is being sought for Harrogate BID as it enters its third year of operating.

The organisation is offering a salary up to £45,000 for the permanent role, which will lead the business organisation as it tries to support town centre businesses through and beyond the coronavirus crisis.

Simon Kent, who helped to establish the BID (Business Improvement District) in late 2018, was appointed interim manager last April and announced in December he was stepping down. The BID had been without a manager for six months prior to that, following the resignation of its first manager after less than four months in the post.

The newly-advertised job description says the manager will be responsible for the budget of £3m over the five-year term of the BID, managing staff and partners, driving forward projects and delivering on key performance indicators (KPIs).

Harrogate BID acting chair Sara Ferguson said:

“This is very much a hands-on role, and ideal for someone already used to leading a team, supervising a number of external contractors, and leading high-profile consumer campaigns with tangible results for sponsors and stakeholders.

“Additionally, the position will require the successful candidate to report to a board of directors on a regular basis, understand the sometimes challenging differences between the private and public sector, liaise with other interested parties, to act as an ambassador, and be (traditional and social) media savvy.

“Most importantly, they will bring with them fresh and exciting ideas to help promote Harrogate as a must-visit destination for residents and visitors alike, looking for a welcoming and friendly destination to ‘stay, shop, eat and drink’.”

The manager will report to the 14-person BID board, made up of representatives of different sectors in the business community. The role has a six-month probation period.

In the last year, the BID has used its funds – taken from a levy on business rates – to carry out additional street cleaning, provide signage to aid social distancing, and put up Christmas lights around the town centre. It also brought a giant elf to Harrogate in the run-up to Christmas, encouraging families to come into town in order to support local businesses.

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New manager for top Harrogate hotel faces ‘very tough’ year

Andy Barnsdale has taken over the helm of The DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa.

He is the top hotel’s new general manager and said that the hospitality sector is facing a “very tough” next 12 months.

The Majestic was just a week away from officially opening its new £2 million spa and wellness centre, called The Harrogate Spa before the coronavirus lockdown.

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That new project has still not been given the go ahead to open but, in the meantime, they have opened a new dining concept called Majestic Weekends.

It had remained open throughout the pandemic for key workers before it reopened to the general public on July 4.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa

The DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa.

When Mr Barnsdale started his role 90% of the staff were on furlough but now they are bringing them back. He said:

“Thanks to the Cairn Group’s significant investment, The Majestic has regained its place as one of the finest hotels in the Harrogate District. Coronavirus has had a major impact on the hospitality sector, and we are facing a very tough 12 months. However, I believe we are well placed to pull through; we have a fantastic product and the Hilton brand is recognised and respected worldwide. Events and conferences are rebooking, and guests are coming back.”

Andy Barnsdale started his career in hospitality 25 years ago with Haven Holidays and over the next 11 years, he worked at six different holiday parks at general manager level before he moved onto hotels – namely Nidd Hall for six years.