When we think of football clubs that have come from nothing to competing in the professional leagues in such a short amount of time, we often look at the likes of Wrexham, Brentford or even Bournemouth. However, Harrogate Town have witnessed a climb to the professional football league like no other.
From starting out in the 11th tier of English Football to playing in the English Football League, Harrogate Town has experienced a rollercoaster of a journey since its founding in 1919. This North Yorkshire town club was not established as a professional football club until after the release of the iPhone 7, the creation of live casino, and even TikTok. So let’s take a look at the football club that helped shape the football pyramid we have today, and find themselves in the English Football League despite their fair share of challenges.
The Origins of the Sulphurites
In 1919, Harrogate A.F.C. played its first competitive game. Despite being intended to be formed in 1907, the club was not established until 1914 in the Northern Football League. As a result of World War I, they were unable to play any games until their first league game in 1919. In 1920, after they assisted in forming the Yorkshire League, eventually switching to the Midland Football League before returning to the Yorkshire League and being granted promotion to the Northern Football League in the 1926-27 season. After cup success and league glory, the club was disbanded in 1932 and reformed in 1935.
The Return to the Yorkshire Football League
In 1935, Harrogate Hotspurs returned and soon changed their name to Harrogate Town in 1939. They joined the West Yorkshire Association Football League and returned to the Yorkshire Football League in 1957. Many years were spent in this league in the 1960s and 70s, until Harrogate Town became one of the founding clubs of the Northern Counties East Football League in 1982.
The Rise into the Northern League
After a 5-year spell in the newly founded Northern Counties East Football League, Harrogate Town became one of the founding clubs of the Northern Premier League’s new first division in 1987. During their time in the Northern Premier League First Division, the club made stadium developments and investments in the hope that it would help push them up the football pyramid. It wasn’t until the 2001/2002 season that the club gained promotion to the Northern League Premier Division, becoming one of the founders of the Conference League North in 2004.
National League North Struggles
Harrogate Town never seemed to be the dominant force of the National League North that the club envisioned they could be, never really reaching their full potential. In fact, after being beaten in the National Conference League play-offs in the 2005-2006 season, Harrogate battled mainly as a mid-table club, even narrowly avoiding relegation in the 2009-2010 season due to the financial instability of another club in the league, which replaced Harrogate for the relegation spots. Despite the investment and clear ability to climb up the English football pyramid, Harrogate appeared to be struggling in the National League North.
A Change in Ownership
In 2011, Harrogate Town saw a change in hands to new club owner Irving Weaver. This change gave the club some hope and was the symbol of a new era, battling to climb the English Football Pyramid. The initial season came as expected, with Harrogate narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day, however, this was only the start of something new for the club. After a series of poor placements in regard to the club’s expectations and potential, it was in 2017 when Weaver and his board of directors decided that, at the end of the season, all players would be offered full-term contracts. It was believed this would provide the best possible chance for promotion, making Harrogate Town a professional football club. This theory came true, with the Sulphurites winning the 2017-2018 playoffs and finally being awarded promotion to the National League after a 14-year struggle in the National League North.
After spending only 2 years in the National League, reaching the playoffs in both seasons, Harrogate Town came out successful in the 2019/2020 season. Being awarded second place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, using an average points calculation to determine the club’s final finish after the season was abandoned. The club went on to face Notts County in the play-off final, beating them at Wembley, gaining promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club’s history.
History Makers
Since the arrival of Irving Weaver, Harrogate Town witnessed an incredible climb to reach the English Football League, securing a place in the 2020/21 season of the EFL League 2. Despite not being able to reach the play-offs for League One, and obtaining many middle to bottom-end table finishes, Harrogate Town have cemented their name in the English Football League, becoming a common feature in League 2. The fairytale growth of a small, fan-owned club that faced relegation heartbreaks and even being disbanded, to becoming a professional football club that has competed against some of the biggest clubs in the country, has made history.
What Does the Future for Harrogate Town Look Like?
While they have featured many times in the bottom half of the League 2 table, Harrogate Town have all the potential and support from loyal fans to push for the play-off places and battle for a spot in League 1. It is only early in terms of their EFL journey, and based on the club’s history, there is a great chance that Harrogate will continue to venture up the pyramid, eventually competing with the biggest clubs in the country.
