Defender Matt Bloomer urges Harrogate Town supporter to back club

Town have come under increasing criticism from sections of support in recent weeks.

The pressure has led to Town losing their last three matches, and calls for change. But Bloomer, a close friend and long-time teammate of boss Simon Weaver, insisted the squad were all behind the current regime.

The 36-year-old said: “Fans are entitled to express their opinion but they should know the players are as frustrated as the fans.

“You don’t go into a game like football if you don’t want to win. Rest assured, everything is being done and training is as professional as it can be. Simon and Macca (assistant boss John McDermott) know the game inside out.

“We have an ambitious manager and chairman. The club want to go places.

“Some people may think we are not, but everyone is buying into that.

“I have been in the game long enough to know we go through these spells. We have to keep working hard, which the gaffer will continue to do too. There’s no other answer than just working hard.

“Everyone is on board. It’s a case of getting through it.”

Bloomer has been at Town since 2009 - when he signed from Saturday’s opponents Boston United. He could make his 200th appearance against his former club on Saturday. This season, the utility man has been in and out of Weaver’s plans, but said he was happy to fill any role the gaffer wanted.

“I have been in and out and it’s frustrating but I understand the need that you have to rotate the squad.”