Former Lincoln City defender Simon Weaver has become co-owner of Harrogate Town, taking over alongside businessman Jonathan Blezard.
The 48-year-old has been manager of Harrogate since May 2009, with his father becoming owner two years later. Blezard, the founder of Angstrom Sports, will join him in the new ownership structure and intends to play an active part in the club’s development.
Weaver will be familiar to City supporters from his time in Keith Alexander’s side, having arrived from Nuneaton Borough in the summer of 2002. He had previously worked under Alexander at Ilkeston Town and made 88 league appearances for the Imps, scoring four times, before leaving in 2004 following a loan spell at Macclesfield Town.
His managerial career has brought considerably greater longevity, with more than 17 years at Harrogate encompassing two historic promotions. He guided them into the National League in 2018 and then the Football League in 2020, where they spent six seasons before relegation last term.
Irving explained that the decision followed an extensive process to find suitable people to take the club forward. Speaking to Harrogate’s club website, he stressed the commitment being made by both incoming owners.
“Over the last two years, I have spent a great deal of time considering what the right long-term ownership of Harrogate Town should look like.
“We have explored a number of avenues and spoken with many people who expressed an interest in becoming involved with the club.
“But this was never about finding somebody prepared to buy or invest in Harrogate Town; it was about finding the right people with the right intentions, who could also demonstrate the necessary commitment and suitability.
“This should not be viewed as family succession. Both Simon and Jonathan are making a significant commitment to this football club and, crucially, they are doing so together.
“Their experiences and strengths complement each other extremely well.”
For Weaver, the deal adds ownership responsibilities to a managerial position he has held since Harrogate were playing in the sixth tier. However, the former Imps centre-back says his new status will have no bearing on his accountability for the team’s performances.
“My position and my role as manager will not change, and my ambition remains exactly the same, to become the best football manager I can possibly be and to keep pushing this team forward.
“I fully accept that, as manager, I will continue to be judged on results in exactly the same way as any other manager in football.
“Becoming a co-owner does not change that responsibility or the standards I expect of myself.”
Harrogate have made a strong start to their bid for an immediate return to the Football League, sitting second in the National League after 13 matches. Their attention turns to the FA Cup this weekend, with a trip to Bury in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday.
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