Long-serving Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has officially become co-owner of the National League side alongside local businessman Jonathan Bleazard, bringing an end to his father Irving Weaver's ownership. The change of leadership marks what the club has called "an important new chapter in its history," with the managerial mainstay taking on an executive stake while continuing his long-standing duties on the touchline.
Weaver initially took charge of the North Yorkshire outfit as manager in May 2009, before his father Irving purchased the club in 2011. Under their combined leadership, Harrogate secured promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history in 2020 and maintained their status there for six seasons in League Two. After suffering relegation back to the National League last term, the team currently sits second in the league table following their opening 13 matches.
Outgoing owner Irving Weaver clarified that the new regime represents a shared partnership rather than an inherited handover. He told the club's website that the takeover "should not be viewed as family succession," explaining that "both Simon and Jonathan are making a significant commitment to this football club and, crucially, they are doing so together." He also noted that their respective "experiences and strengths complement each other extremely well."
Despite his new ownership status, Simon Weaver insisted that his day-to-day focus remains strictly on coaching and team performance. Confirming that his role will not change, Weaver stated that his ambition is "to become the best football manager I can possibly be and to keep pushing this team forward," adding that he fully expects to be judged on results like any other manager and that co-ownership does not alter his responsibilities or standards. Attention now turns to the pitch on Saturday, when Harrogate travel to face Bury in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.