Harrogate Town set for FA Cup Yorkshire derby at Bradford

Harrogate Town are set for a crunch Yorkshire derby in the FA Cup first round today.

Town travel to Bradford City for a 12.30pm kick off as they look to get their cup campaign off to a good start.

More than 300 Harrogate fans are set to head to Valley Parade, and planned strike action on the railways this weekend has been called off.

Town manager Simon Weaver said his side have to remain focussed if they want to get through to the next round.

He said:

“We will just have to make sure we are focussed and concentrated throughout the game.

“We know that if you allow Bradford to play then they have got some good quality players and are organised by a very good manager.

“We can’t take our eye off the ball throughout the entirety of the game. We have got to make sure we are on it.”

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Town will be hoping for a repeat of last season when they managed to beat League One side Portsmouth to make it to the third round.

Harrogate beat Bradford last season on their visit to Valley Parade. But the Bantams took the bragging rights last month at the EnviroVent Stadium with a 2-1 win.

City boss Mark Hughes has said his side are also eyeing a cup run this campaign.

Hughes said:

“I am looking forward to it. A local derby is always a good watch, and we are hoping for a big turnout.

“We want to progress in the cups this season. There clearly is a financial edge to going far, but the reality is, if you get to the third round, there are some good ties we want to be involved in.

“We will try and get there. Our intention is to stay in the competition for as long as we can.

“There is a real understanding within the squad about the history of the competition. The FA Cup is not on the same level, in terms of the prestige and standing, compared to other competitions.

“We have to navigate the game at the weekend. We have beaten them away from home, so there is no reason why we should not be confident.”

‘Allez Allez Allez!’: Harrogate Town fans savour special Bradford trip

One chant was sung loud and proud by Harrogate Town supporters at Valley Parade last night.

Inspired by a song sung by Liverpool fans, it describes how they have been there from the days of National League North, beating minnows Telford and Darlington along the way, and references past heroes Joe Leesley and Dom Knowles.

“We are the loyal supporters and we come from Harrogate!

“Allez Allez Allez!”

When Town fans entered Bradford City’s stadium, they sat down opposite the imposing JCT600 Stand. It wouldn’t look out of place in the Premier League, nevermind League Two of the English Football League.

It showed how far the club has come, and seemed to spur the record number of Town away supporters to sing the song about the journey up the divisions even louder.

Valley Parade’s imposing JCT600 Stand.

A memorable night

Four Stray Ferret reporters were among over 700 Harrogate fans who made the short trip to West Yorkshire for what was one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history.

They made more noise than the relatively docile 13,000 Bradford City fans, which promoted the playful Town faithful to goad them with: “Is this a library?” and “Shall we sing a song for you?”

But when the home side took the lead in the first half it threatened to dampen the party atmosphere in the away end.

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For a while it worked, until Warren Burrell scored in first-half injury time to change the direction of the game.

In the second half, Town took the lead thanks to a Beckham-esque free-kick from Lewis Page. A cooly-taken finish from Jack Diamond made it 3-1.

Jack Diamond’s goal sparked mass celebrations.

It prompted an evacuation of Bradford City fans towards the exit doors and full throttle singing among the Town fans.

Special moments

Covid has robbed Town fans of many special moments — Wembley trips, glamorous away days and seeing the club play league football at the revamped EnviroVent Stadium.

After the final whistle, the bond between the playing staff and fans was evident. The squad, led by manager Simon Weaver, applauded the travelling fans, signed shirts and took selfies with young supporters.

It was a proud day for Jordan Ford, who organises away day coach travel for fans on behalf of Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Club.

Yesterday there were over 200 fans on his coaches — a far cry from the 25 or so when he first started several years ago.

Town player Jack Muldoon took to Twitter after the match to pay tribute to the fans.

https://twitter.com/J_muldoon11/status/1496280985389912064?s=20&t=5SoSRoWdTANHtOYDUxzXbA

 

Over 500 Harrogate Town fans heading to Bradford tonight

About 550 Harrogate Town fans will watch their team face Bradford City tonight in a Yorkshire derby at Valley Parade.

It’s one of the most hotly anticipated games in Harrogate Town history, especially after last season’s fixture was played behind closed doors due to covid restrictions. It’s the most away tickets sold for a Harrogate Town game in their 103-year history.

Bradford’s ground has a capacity of 25,000. Despite languishing in League Two of the English Football League, the 1911 FA Cup winners average crowds of 15,700 this year.

Over 222 fans will travel by coaches arranged by Harrogate Town Independent Supporters Club.

It’s a chance for Simon Weaver’s men to do the double over their rivals, after beating them 2-0 at the EnviroVent Stadium on February 5.

The Bantams sacked manager Derek Adams following the fixture and are yet to appoint a replacement.

Speaking yesterday, Weaver said:

“[This season has been] our first experience as a football league club with big crowds so there’s none bigger than tomorrow. It’s a big ground, great set up and a fantastic football club that we’re visiting so hopefully we will come out on top for the fans.”

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Town have not played since last Tuesday’s 4-3 heartbreak away at Exeter City — a match Town led 3-1.

A home game against Leyton Orient was postponed on Saturday due to the snow. It’s been rescheduled for Tuesday March 22.

Tickets for tonight’s game are still available, with Harrogate Town fans able to pay at the gate by scanning a QR code.

https://twitter.com/officialbantams/status/1496077312344956934?s=20&t=dxsc-aD4mGVH0CMS8WHiKg