Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver becomes co-owner

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has become co-owner of the National League club, alongside local businessman Jonathan Blezard.

The pair take over from Weaver’s father, Irving, who has owned the club since 2011. Weaver will stay on as manager, a job he has held since May 2009.

Role in the dugout unchanged

Weaver, 48, said in a club statement that his position as manager will not change. He accepted that he will continue to be judged on results “in exactly the same way as any other manager in football.”

He said becoming a co-owner does not change his responsibilities or the standards he sets himself. He added that he is looking forward to working with Blezard on the club’s longer-term plans.

Weaver also paid tribute to his father’s time as chairman. He credited Irving with bringing honesty, hard work, integrity and determination from business into football, and said those values had been central to the club’s progress.

“Not family succession”

Irving Weaver said he had spent more than two years considering the right long-term ownership for the club. He explored several options and spoke to a number of interested parties. He said the aim was never simply to find a buyer or an investor, but people with the right intentions and the commitment to see it through.

He stressed that the arrangement should not be seen as a family handover. Both Simon and Blezard are making a significant commitment to the club, he said, and doing it together.

Blezard’s plans

Blezard, founder of Angstrom Sports, said he recognises what the club means to its supporters and the wider community, and sees its potential. He intends to be an active owner and expects further investment and expertise to follow over time. His stated aim is for the whole town to feel part of the club.

Strong start back at Step 1

Under Simon and Irving Weaver, Harrogate rose from the National League North to the Football League. They were relegated from League Two last season.

They have made a strong start to the new campaign. The Sulphurites sit second on 28 points after 13 matches, with nine wins, seven points behind leaders Boreham Wood.

Their focus now turns to the FA Cup. Harrogate travel to Bury in the fourth qualifying round today, in a tie being shown live on BBC Sport. Bury reached this stage with a win over Bromsgrove Sporting.

Ownership changes often bring uncertainty, but this one offers continuity. The manager who has overseen the club’s rise now has a direct stake in where it goes next.