Connor Kirby already fancying Harrogate Town's chances of mounting a League Two promotion push

Connor Kirby believes that he has already seen enough to suggest that Harrogate Town have what it takes to push for promotion this term.
Connor Kirby in action for Harrogate Town. Pictures: Matt KirkhamConnor Kirby in action for Harrogate Town. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Connor Kirby in action for Harrogate Town. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The 22-year-old midfielder made 34 League Two appearances for Macclesfield in 2020/21 during a season-long loan from former club Sheffield Wednesday, leaving him well-placed to assess his current employers’ top-seven credentials.

Town kicked-off 2020/21 with a 4-0 rout of Southend before going on to draw with Walsall and Port Vale, a sequence of results which sees them sixth in the table after three rounds of fixtures.

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“This Harrogate team compares really well to the sides I came up against last year,” Kirby told the Harrogate Advertiser.

Connor Kirby joined Harrogate Town in August following his release by Sheffield Wednesday.Connor Kirby joined Harrogate Town in August following his release by Sheffield Wednesday.
Connor Kirby joined Harrogate Town in August following his release by Sheffield Wednesday.

“We can push for promotion, I think. Anything can happen in this league, but if results go our way and we play as well as we can on a regular basis then we’ll be up there.

“There are some big clubs in this division but I feel that we can really push on this season.

“The confidence is there in the team, we’ll keep pushing and see where we end up.”

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Kirby has been used sparingly by boss Simon Weaver since joining Town in the summer, but insists that he is enjoying his time at Wetherby Road and looking forward to showing what he can do.

“It’s been brilliant, I’ve settled in really well, the lads are great” he added.

“I just can’t wait to get playing and some more time on the pitch.

“My game is basically energy. I get up and down, press the life out of people, try and win the ball back and move it.

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“That’s what I think I can bring to this team, as well as the willingness to break forwards and score goals.”

Kirby appeared as a 76th-minute substitute in Saturday’s goalless draw at Port Vale and echoed his manager’s sentiments when asked if he felt a point at Vale Park was a good result for Town.

“We’re very happy, Port Vale is a tough place to come, so to get a point is positive for the team,” he said.

“They’ll be pushing for promotion. They’d won two out of two before this one, so I think we’ve done really well.

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“We start quick every game, we come out the blocks fast, but fair play to Port Vale, they came back and put pressure on us in the second half.

“I felt like we dealt with it, however, and that’s why we got the point in the end.”