Wembley triumph shows Harrogate IS a football town

Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said Harrogate Town's amazing success was something the whole town should be proud of.

Being promoted to the Football League proper after winning in the Vanarama National League play off final at Wembley on Sunday emphasised just how much Harrogate Town FC were major flag bearers for the town's reputation nationally.

Sandra Doherty said: “We are so pleased and proud of Harrogate Town. Their success will be great for the town in general.

“The club’s supporter base, and that of the teams that will be playing at Harrogate, will encourage a whole new group of people interested in coming to Harrogate.

“While I know it may not be straight away due to Covid restrictions, it’s certainly something to look forward to in the future.

“Having our local team in the Football League will only add to the jewels in Harrogate’s crown, giving another reason that people recognise the name.

"In addition to Betty’s and our spa water heritage, we are now a football town - football’s newest winners, too.”

Harrogate Business Improvement District's acting chair Sara Ferguson said the club's exploits would bring a 'feel-good' factor to Harrogate in more ways than one.

Sara Ferguson said: “Harrogate Town’s stunning victory at the weekend is superb news for the town. It has given us a great ‘feel good factor’ moment, and long may it continue.

“Playing in the Football League will introduce Harrogate to a new audience and, hopefully on match days, travelling fans will come into the town centre either before or after the game to patronise our shops, bars and restaurants.

“Town’s richly-deserved promotion came a day after Tatler magazine published a fantastic article describing Harrogate as ‘the chic capital of the North’, a ringing endorsement of the town and the district.

“The more Harrogate is in the public eye, the more we will benefit.

"And with the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, there really has never been a better to time to come to Harrogate to eat, drink and shop”.

Top Harrogate hotelier says 'buzz' of Wembley victory will last for years

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