Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver wants to reward his club’s supporters by winning the West Riding County Cup tomorrow night at Valley Parade
Simon Weaver is aiming to give his “magnificent” Harrogate Town supporters something to cheer about by leading his side to West Riding County Cup glory tomorrow night.
Skrill North Harrogate will face Toolstation NCEL Division One outfit Eccleshill United at Valley Parade tomorrow night in the final and they have the opportunity to win the competition for the first time since 2008.
Weaver can also win his first piece of silverware as Town boss during his fifth term at Wetherby Road and he admits he would like to win the trophy for the fans.
“It would mean a lot,” he said.
“Everyone wants to win cup competitions and get trophies in the cabinet.
“A lot of good teams have entered the West Riding County Cup and it would be excellent to win it.
“It would probably rank as a reward for the supporters if we win it. The supporters have been magnificent this season and we have been building momentum from the (FA) cup run a couple of years ago.
“They have been immense and it would be a reward for their faith in us. They’ve seen the vision we have got and they believe in us.”
Adam Nowakowski is out because of his facial injury, while Dan Clayton and Leigh Franks are doubtful.
Club captain Shane Killock has a calf problem, but is hoping to be available for Town, whose fight for a play-offs place looks at an end.
Harrogate’s 5-2 defeat at Gloucester on Sunday was a costly blow and eighth-placed Town are six points from in-form Guiseley, who occupy the last play-offs spot.
The chances of making it are remote, but missing out on the play-offs would not constitute a failure, according to Weaver.
“We probably need to win all five games and need a couple of teams to slip up so it is a long shot now,” he said.
“We had lost just once in 15 since Christmas and then suddenly we have had four major injuries to players and it has hurt us.
“In the first half of the season the points deduction knocked the stuffing out of us for a bit and we stuttered.
“We then found a real good balance since Christmas and a way of playing that has made us successful at this level. You know you are doing something right if you lose once in 15.
“(Missing out on the play-offs) wouldn’t be a failure. We’re not talking about going down, we’re talking about just missing out on the play-offs.
“As a club it is growing all the time on and off the pitch. It is more appealing for players to come to play for us. Crowds are going up. They went from 350 to 450 last year and they’re up to 550 this year.
“The revenue is going up in the bar and hospitality areas and it is all going together.”