Harrogate Town's Simon Weaver tells us his highlights of 2020
They've made club history with him in charge
Last updated 28th Dec 2020
Harrogate Town Manager, Simon Weaver, has been looking back on 2020 - a year which saw the club make history.
The 2020–21 season is the first in Harrogate Town's 106 year history that they competed in the Football League following their promotion from the National League.
Manager Simon Weaver said this year will be one he'll never forget.
He said: "It's one of the best times in my life for sure. We have a lot of passion within a so-called small club.
"We've achieved so much this year and I'm incredibly proud of all the players, staff and the fans for what they've done."
Weaver's side were second in the table and four points behind league leaders Barrow in March, when the league was brought to a halt because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Barrow were awarded the league title but it was left to the Sulphurites and five other sides to contest the final promotion place.
Jack Muldoon's goal against Boreham Wood in an empty Wetherby Road booked the side's first ever trip to Wembley Stadium.
Notts County were all that stood between Town and a place in League Two, again with no fans to see the momentous occasion.
Weaver, said: "In the summertime when we went up it was quite an incredible experience. Going to Wembley and having that promotion under our belt was amazing."
"No moment will ever beat that third goal at Wembley" - Simon Weaver
Goals from George Thomson, Connor Hall and Jack Diamond helped Weaver's side get a 3-1 win - ensuring their names were etched in club history.
The club began the season at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, whilst a grass pitch was installed at their traditional Wetherby Road stadium.
But when the ground was finally ready fans were still unable to join the club.
Weaver, said: "Empty stadiums is just not the same at all. Even heading down to Wembley we were all saying it's amazing we were going but the fans should've been there. How much of an occasion would it have been if the fans were there in London with us?
"I felt quite sad that night and thought "wow the fans would've been having an amazing time in London right now.'"
Weaver added that no moment will ever top Wembley. He said: "When Jack Diamond scored that third goal at Wembley it will always be a moment I'll never forget. I just thought wow we're nearly there."
"For the team to overcome the odds and to be flying with fitness after the lockdown and then to reach new heights is just absolutely amazing.
Weaver's got high hopes for the club in 2021, but he says it won't come without its challenges.
"We started off the 20-21 season in a fantastic position but we all know we've struggled recently. We're going to win and lose games in 2021 but I believe the lads and the backroom staff all deserve to stay in League Two.
"I think we can evolve well in the next 12 months, but we will never change our values. We're here to build a proper football league club.
"We're having to learn how to do that. We've carried a large number of players through two leagues and they've warranted this opportunity to be up against some big-name clubs, but they're still learning how to do that."