'Well-deserved recognition' for family dynasty that played key role in Harrogate Advertiser's history
The family dynasty that played a key part in the evolution of both the Harrogate Advertiser and Harrogate Town have made a nostalgic return to their roots.
The great grandson and great nephew of the Breares, whose immense contribution to the Harrogate Advertiser stretches back to the 19th century, made the journey north to be honoured for a similarly pivotal role the family played in the foundation of Harrogate Town AFC in 1919 and the securing of the initial land at Wetherby Road for the club’s ground.
Accepting the Harrogate Town Hall of Fame induction on behalf of their forebears Frederick Hammond Breare and Robert Ackrill Breare were the great grandson and great nephew of the Breares, Tom and George Breare, from London, and their mum Susie, from the Isle of Wight.
Making the presentation on the pitch last Friday before Harrogate Town’s 1-1 draw with Cheltenham were Phil Harrison, Harrogate Town's club historian, Bernard Higgins, Hall of Fame chairman, and Graham Chalmers of the Harrogate Advertiser.
Speaking afterwards, Tom Breare said: "We all loved being back in Harrogate which is at the heart of our family history.
"It was a very proud moment for us collecting the award on the pitch on Friday evening.
"We were all hugely appreciative of both Frederick and Robert being inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
On hand to capture the occasion was Harrogate Town’s photographer Matt Kirkham.
It is hard to overstate the contribution the Breare family have made to Harrogate's history, a contribution whose reverberations are still felt to this day.
In 1919, Robert Ackrill Breare led the purchase of a permanent home for Harrogate Town in a field next to Heatherdane Hospital in Wetherby Lane.
In the 1870s the early version of Harrogate Advertiser was bought by Robert Ackrill, who had edited The Herald and who now founded Ackrill Newspapers.
When Ackrill's daughter Ellen married William Hammond Breare, who was then editing the Herald for Ellen's father, William became the first of the Breares to get involved in the company – a dynasty that lasted more that 100 years.
Information at: www.harrogatetownafc.com/club/hall-of-fame.