“I will tell my kids about the times we played the likes of County”
Harrogate fan Oscar Taylor is still loving life in the Football League, with the Yorkshire club currently enjoying their fourth season in League Two
Thursday 12 October 2023
Dear County fans, Stopfordians, and any Harrogate supporters joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Thursday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.
Harrogate fan Oscar Taylor joins us today ahead of County’s 11th trip to Wetherby Road this weekend. (We’ve scored at least one goal on the previous 10…)
Today’s edition is sponsored by GWG Property Solutions. A big thank you to Ben. Give him a call on 0161 291 1134 for a free no obligation quote. The business provides everything from extensions and renovations through to structural changes and new builds.
Finally, I’m starting my charity walk this month, walking every street in Stockport to raise money for men’s mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.
Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.
Des Junior
Is it difficult attracting fans with clubs like Leeds and Bradford down the road?
Definitely difficult. We only recently made it to to the National League North when I started supporting, so we’ve been a second team for most historically. With our recent rise it’s great to see young kids who are Harrogate fans only; hopefully this can help build a foundation for our fanbase in the future. However, a huge number of our fanbase are people who have relocated to Harrogate, but still support other teams. With our location we definitely have the ability to be a team with a big fanbase but it will take time and continued success.
What’s the fan culture like at Harrogate?
The fan culture has seen a massive change over the years I have supported. When I first started coming it was mainly older locals who created a great atmosphere. Due to our recent success it is now a much younger fanbase who have higher expectations and turn on the players a bit quicker. Team that with a CEO who is hardly in the fans’ good books for handing out bans like they’re free leaflets and the atmosphere hasn’t been great over the last few years. However, I feel the newer fans are now finally understanding that staying in the EFL is an incredible success and the atmosphere is slowly improving as a result. The away culture is much more of a laugh, we probably have the smallest fanbase in the EFL but we embrace it and enjoy it regardless.
You’ve finished 17th, 19th and 19th in your three seasons in the Football League so far. Can you stay up for a fourth time?
Yes! We made some great signings in the summer and are a much stronger team than last season, especially defensively. We’ve shown a brilliant ability to grind out results this season and seem to have a knack of doing just enough. We certainly won’t be punching much higher than the relegation zone but I believe we have enough to stay up.
How’s Luke Armstrong been getting on since the palaver with Wrexham in the transfer window?
Oh, the Luke Armstrong thing was a total fuck up. We still signed his replacement, Josh March, who should finally be at full match sharpness by Saturday. Armstrong had mixed backing from the fans. The older fans certainly understood his reasons for leaving while newer fans were far less happy. He doesn’t seem all there since the move fell away; he used to work his socks off whereas now he seems to do the bare minimum only. I think I speak for all fans when I say I hope he gets a quick and easy move away in January.
How are the father-son chairman-manager combo getting on?
Simon [Weaver] was already at the club before his dad [Irving Weaver] took over so it’s not too bad. However, intentions have been questioned on whether his dad only bought the club to help his son’s career. Simon has done a brilliant job keeping us in the EFL this long – and even getting us there in the first place – and his dad currently makes a massive loss each year, but has still invested hugely into the club’s infrastructure. I for one wouldn’t want either to leave right now as they have utterly transformed the club from amateur level semi-pros into full blown professionals.
Is there anything you miss from your non-league days?
I miss the smaller close-knit fanbase from non-league but I love League Two. It’s my absolute dream and I’m so happy to see our fanbase expanding. I’m proud to be a Harrogate fan without a ‘Prem team’ and just want what is best for the club. The longer we stay here the more we grow and the better our future looks. I will tell my kids about the times we played the likes of Bradford, Bolton and Stockport and therefore I’m simply loving every minute in this league.
Best and worst moments as a Harrogate fan?
The best moment would have been either of our two visits to Wembley, but Covid sort of ruined them. I think in recent times it would be our 3-1 win at Bradford a few years ago. The atmosphere at that game was brilliant and the result matched. Our late winner against Portsmouth two years ago in the FA Cup is also worth a mention.
As a younger fan I’ve been lucky in that Harrogate have been on the rise the whole time I’ve supported them. Therefore my lowest moment was probably our 8-0 loss to Blackburn in the League Cup earlier this season.
What's your thoughts on Stockport County?
County are a good club, with a top fanbase, and probably one we won’t play again in the league for a long time after this season. I think you’ve been brought down a peg or two after your start but I fully expect you to finish in the top three this season regardless.
What can County fans expect from a day out in Harrogate?
County fans can expect northern prices to be less northern. Personally I’m from Ripon, just outside Harrogate, which is a lot cheaper. Harrogate is a mixed area with a very fancy centre that looks all affluent but there are still the parts that are very working class. I think County fans will have a nice day out with friendly locals and if it’s sunny it’s bloody lovely!
What's your prediction for Saturday's game?
You lot will be massive favourites and even if we can take one point from this match that would be a huge success for us. I’ll be optimistic and hope we can grind out a 0-0 draw.
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Photo of the day
A screenshot from Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+. It seems Everton are building their new stadium on Llandudno Pier, crowd trouble has got that bad at Cardiff and Swansea they’ve been sent to Devon to calm down, and Mark Stott’s kept us in the dark along over his plans to move County to Cumbria.
Today in SK
🍽 Food and drink
Lite bite meal deal at The Friary (SK3). Cod or haddock, served with chips, and a side of peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £9.95. 11.30am - 7.30pm.
Taster Thursday at TRUNK (SK7). Three tapas dishes and a glass of sangria for £20 from 5pm. Call 0161 222 9260 to book a table, and mention “The Scarf My Father Wore” to receive a 15% discount off the normal tapas menu.
🎶 Free jukebox
The Nelson Tavern (SK1). From 6.30pm.
🎱 Free pool
The George & Dragon (SK7). 6pm - 9pm.
🎵 Music
A celebration of Fleetwood Mac at Bask (SK1). Tunes from all decades and line-ups. Bask’s DJs will also be playing the best 70s tunes out there, including Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Eagles, Queen, James Brown, The Who, David Bowie and more. 8pm. Free entry.
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