Simon Weaver has officially become a co-owner of Harrogate Town while continuing as the club's first-team manager. The formal announcement was made on Friday afternoon, confirming Weaver and local businessman Jonathan Blezard as the new co-owners following Irving Weaver's decision to step back from majority control after more than a decade and a half.
Harrogate Town described the takeover as an important new chapter in its history. Irving Weaver, who took ownership in 2011, stated that the move should not be viewed as a simple family succession. "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," he said. He emphasised that both Simon Weaver and Blezard are making a significant commitment together, with their experiences and strengths complementing each other well.
Weaver outlines dual role and vision
Simon Weaver, 48, who has managed the club since May 2009, was clear that his new role off the pitch will not alter his primary duty. "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," he said. "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."
Weaver also paid tribute to his father's influence. "As chairman, my dad has played an enormous part in the progress of Harrogate Town, and I can’t thank him enough for the trust he has placed in me," he added. The club rose from the National League North to the Football League under their stewardship, achieving a historic promotion in 2020 before suffering relegation from League Two last season.
Weaver's first match in his new dual role was Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw away at Bury. That result extended the team's unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions, a sequence that has helped them to second place in the National League. Harrogate Town's next fixture is a league match at home to Sutton United on Saturday, 24 October. The team has scored 29 goals and conceded 17 in their 13 league games so far this season, averaging 2.23 goals scored per game. Their immediate focus returns to league action after Tuesday night's FA Cup replay against Bury at the Marcy Fitness Stadium.
The new co-owner, Jonathan Blezard, is the 42-year-old founder of Angstrom Sports, a company with a background in sports analytics. Weaver highlighted their strong working relationship. "Jonathan and I have built a very strong rapport over the last 14 months." he said. "He is an extremely astute and intelligent person, but what has impressed me just as much is his humility." Weaver and Blezard are now jointly responsible for all matters off the pitch as the club aims to build on its strong start to the season.
The original report is at The Non-League Paper
