Simon Weaver and Paul Thirwell to stay at Harrogate Town
They have signed new three-year contracts at the club
Harrogate Town have announced that Manager Simon Weaver and Assistant Manager Paul Thirlwell have signed new contracts - extending Weaver's status as the longest running English professional football manager.
The duo have worked together as a Manager and Assistant Manager since Thirlwell was appointed in January 2017, earning promotion from the National League North to the National League in their first full season together.
Another promotion followed two seasons later as Weaver and Thirlwell lead Town into the Football League for the first time in the club’s 106-year history.
A successful first season in the EFL followed, securing safety with a 17th place finish and becoming the first league club to lift the FA Trophy, having played the final of the 2019/20 competition in May 2021.
Irving Weaver, chairman, said: “I am thrilled to be able to share the news that both Simon and Paul will continue to drive the club forward over the next three years.
“The aim is to continue the good work that has been done and extending the contract of both Simon and Paul is an important step to achieving those ambitions.
“We are determined to establish ourselves as an EFL club and build on a successful first season at this level.”
The news extends Weaver’s status as English professional football’s longest serving Manager, with the Town boss in the post for over 12 years, having overseen an incredible amount of progression at the club in that time.
“This club has been a massive part of my life for for 12 years, so to take it to 15 is fantastic for me personally.” Weaver said.
“I’m excited about the challenge ahead and have as much appetite for it now as I did 12 years ago.
“Paul and I are very close, he definitely alleviates pressure on my job with what he brings to the table, he’s a good presence, has a great personality and sense of humour, but overall he is a really good person, which is important to me.”
Former Sheffield United midfielder Thirlwell has been with the club over six years now having initially joined as a player before taking the U23s Manager job and moving on to the Assistant Manager role.
“Joining the club at 36 I wanted to be somewhere with a coaching opportunity, thankfully that came here and I’m thankful to the Manager and the Chairman for giving me the opportunity.” Explained Thirlwell.
“I’m delighted to be staying here, it’s been a really good six years going from player to the youth set up to Assistant Manager and I’ve loved every minute.
“The Gaffer and I are good friends off the pitch, our thoughts on the game are very much the same, but at times we are different characters and I think that brings the best out of each other, hopefully long may that continue.”