Former Harrogate Town player on excitement of big FA Cup clash at one of the world's oldest football stadiums

Harrogate Town supporters have talked about the club’s return to the FA Cup spotlight this weekend in the glare of the BBC TV cameras with even a former player turned fan saying he is excited.

Fraser MacDonald, an ex-Harrogate Town footballer who still attends matches regularly, played in the FA Cup and knows just how big the occasion will be at Bury FC tomorrow, Saturday, at one of the world's oldest football stadiums.

"Having played in the FA Cup myself I know how it always generates excitement for both players and fans,” said Fraser, who played as a midfielder under manager Alan Smith in the late 1980s following a spell at York City.

"I've watched Harrogate Town when maybe only 200 fans came down to Wetherby Road.

"It's been great to see how Town’s stadium and the quality of play has evolved since those times.

"There's a good team spirit in the first team currently and Town have hit the ground running this season after the previous season’s relegation disappointment.”

Harrogate Town will be taking two official supporters buses for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round fixture, though it is also expected that other fans will be travelling with the Independent Supporters Club, while plenty will be making their own way to Greater Manchester.

Harrogate are currently flying high and sitting second top in the The National League while tomorrow’s opponents Bury play in the seventh tier NPL Premier Division.

In theory, Town are favourites but Bury have won eight out of their nine competitive home fixtures this season at Gigg Lane, their home ground since 1885.

Despite being in the the lower leagues, the Lancashire club still attract bigger league style crowds.

Last season they averaged 3,698 home spectators per league match when they won promotion as champions.

Tomorrow’s match has been chosen by BBC Sport for live broadcast coverage on the BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer, which led to the fixture being brought forward to a 12.30pm kick-off.

But Harrogate Town fans appear keen to rekindle the sort of excitement created by their team’s famous visit to Leeds Utd in the FA Cup third round in January 2025.

Jordan Ford, who has been organising supporters coaches to away matches for many years, said he expected Town fans to rise to the occasion.

"FA Cup matches are always special, especially when we’re away from home.

"I’m sure Bury and their fans will be up for the match and will try and make the atmosphere as intimidating as possible.

"But I think we will see a good number of Town supporters making the relatively short journey across to Bury.

"It will be a huge test for us but one I’m confident our team can cope with."

Another long-time supporter, Guy Close, is confident Harrogate Town can come out on top.

"I’m very much looking forward to supporting Town against Bury on Saturday in the FA Cup,” said Guy.

"As someone who’s supported the club for close to 40 years it’s also a good opportunity to reflect on the significant progress made both on and off the pitch.

"We’ve a great club that we can all be rightly proud of.

"This season we have a young, talented team that is growing in confidence and belief.

"As always, I’ll be giving the team my full support. C’mon Town!’

Bernard Higgins, chair of Harrogate Town Hall of Fame Committee, says it would be wrong to under-estimate Bury but believes Town are a team full of ability.

"Harrogate Town have a squad this season that make it appear that anything is possible,” said Bernard.

"They play with a freedom and confidence that puts the opposition on the back foot.

"This is, however, an FA Cup tie away at Bury who will have a large crowd firmly behind them.

"But if we play to our strengths we will be in the hat for the next round."