After the club was promoted to League Two for the first time in 2020, many expected Harrogate Town to struggle. The Yorkshire outfit was new to the professional ranks, and were initially among the favourites for instant relegation.
The Sulphurites defied the cynics and have consolidated their position in England’s fourth tier. The 2022/23 season saw Harrogate finish in a comfortable mid-table position, so what can we expect from the side next term?
Campaign Highlights
Harrogate Town finished in a respectable 13th place in the division with 63 points. Simon Weaver’s team were some way outside of the playoffs, but were never seen as relegation candidates. Harrogate were a full 21 points clear of the drop zone at the end of the campaign.
The club’s biggest win was a 5-1 home victory over Gillingham at the start of April. The result was even more remarkable as the Sulphurites were a goal down at half time. It was a memorable afternoon for the fans, but the 9-2 loss at Mansfield in February was one to forget.
Unsurprisingly, this was the biggest win and defeat of the season, and Harrogate’s players did well to put it behind them. Despite the occasional blip, it was a solid campaign, but what is the club aiming for next season, and what do they need to get there?
Predictions for 2024/25
Independent sources suggest that Harrogate Town may struggle next season. Anyone looking to place a bet in current markets will find that the club are among the rank outsiders to win the division. The figures suggest that Harrogate may even be involved in a relegation fight.
After a respectable campaign in 2023/24, fans and those inside the club will surely be aiming higher. Despite those negative predictions, a place in the promotion playoffs will be seen as a legitimate target next term.
Key Players
Harrogate Town’s leading goal scorer last season was the experienced midfielder George Thomson. The 32-year-old arrived at Wetherby Road in 2017, and was part of the squad that gained promotion to League Two.
Thomson scored 17 times in 47 matches, and that’s a respectable return for a midfielder. In contrast, Harrogate’s main attacker struggled in front of the target. Jack Muldoon scored just 11 goals in 41 games, and will need to improve if Harrogate are to achieve their aims.
Goals win matches, and there will be a focus on Thomson and Muldoon next term.
Squad Strengthening
Like all sides in League Two, Harrogate Town will be looking for reinforcements ahead of the new campaign. It’s been a quiet start to the transfer window, but we can expect to see more business done before the season starts in August.
Harrogate have already announced one departure from Wetherby Road. In June, the club confirmed that centre half Rod McDonald had joined Notts County for an undisclosed fee. The defender had issues with injury last season, but his absence leaves manager Simon Weaver with a gap to fill.
Along with an experienced defender, Harrogate Town may also be considering a new striker. Jack Muldoon needs to improve on his disappointing return from last season, and the Sulphurites would want another attacker to add competition for places.
The Man in Charge
Harrogate Town will keep faith in their manager Simon Weaver and that seems a logical move on the club’s part. Weaver is one of the longest-serving bosses in the game, and he first stepped into the Harrogate hot-seat as player manager back in 2009.
He’s overseen the club’s promotion into the Football League and has helped to consolidate their position. Back in January, Weaver was awarded the League Two manager of the month trophy as his team hovered just outside of the playoffs.
There may be a minority of fans who argue that it’s time for change, but most agree that it’s important to have experience and continuity on the bench. If, however, the club were to get off to a slow start next season, Simon Weaver’s job may be under threat.
After a productive campaign, there is little that Harrogate Town need to do as they move into 2024/25. From their comfortable mid-table slot, the team should be aiming to threaten the playoffs this time.
To do that, Harrogate will need more firepower. When a midfielder is your top scorer, it tells a story, and the club simply must have more contributions from the attackers. At the very least, Harrogate Town fans should be able to look forward to another season where the threat of relegation isn’t an issue, but the team can aim higher.
Despite a rather gloomy prediction from the sportsbooks, the atmosphere around Wetherby Road seems optimistic. After briefly threatening the playoffs last season, there’s a genuine feeling that Harrogate Town can target promotion this time around.
