Harrogate boss Weaver becomes co-owner

Jonathan Bleazard (left) and Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver (right) have taken over at the National League club [Harrogate Town] Long-serving Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver has become co-owner of the National League club, ending his father's ownership. Weaver took over as boss in May 2009 and his dad Irving became owner in 2011. Under their stewardship the club were promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history in 2020 and spent six seasons in League Two. Boss Weaver and local businessman Jonathan Bleazard have now taken over in a deal the club called "an important new chapter in its history". "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," Irving Weaver told the club website. "Their experiences and strengths complement each other extremely well." The North Yorkshire side were relegated to the National League last season and are second in the table after 13 matches. "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," Simon Weaver 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. "Becoming a co-owner does not change that responsibility or the standards I expect of myself." Harrogate visit Bury in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Listen to Harrogate Town content on BBC Sounds