Harrogate Town announces open top bus parade this Saturday to celebrate historic promotion

Harrogate Town have confirmed plans for an open top bus celebration this Saturday to mark their historic promotion to the English Football League.
Harrogate Town beat Notts County at Wembley to secure promotion and are now planning a celebration this weekend.Harrogate Town beat Notts County at Wembley to secure promotion and are now planning a celebration this weekend.
Harrogate Town beat Notts County at Wembley to secure promotion and are now planning a celebration this weekend.

In an announcement on Twitter, the club said the bus will travel through the town around midday, but the exact timings and route are yet to be confirmed.

It comes after the Harrogate Bus Company said it was keen to help the club celebrate its play-off victory, if it could be done safely.

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North Yorkshire County Council said it is holding talks with the club and police over how this can be achieved.

Harrogate Town chairman wins political praise and hopes historic promotion will 'keep putting town on the map'

Coun Don Mackenzie, the council's executive member for access, said he supported the idea but added there will be concerns over the possibility of crowds congregating.

"We have had very little to celebrate in recent months and Harrogate Town's impressive elevation into the Football League is a welcome respite from the gloom" he said.

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"There would appear to be no risks involved to passengers on the bus itself since, presumably, the players and key staff have all been tested and found to be covid-free.

"There are clearly concerns about the proximity of crowds of people to one another lining the street but it is to be hoped that supporters would show common sense and maintain social distancing."

After football was halted in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, clubs in the National League voted to end the season.

There was a period of time when it looked uncertain whether play-offs would be held, leaving Harrogate unsure if their hopes of promotion would be ruined.

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But their 3-1 victory over Notts County at Wembley on Sunday saw Town victorious in the end.

The club's chairman Irving Weaver won the praise of political leaders at a council meeting last night when he said he hopes there will be a boost to the town's economy next season.

"I'm hoping that bigger away crowds will start to spend money in the town and let's hope we can keep putting you on the map", he said.

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Coun Chris Aldred told Weaver: "On behalf of all the local residents, I just want to congratulate you because it is tremendous news.

"You, Simon and Gary have done an absolutely brilliant job and as you say, you will be putting Harrogate on the map."

In accordance with EFL regulations, the club will need to rip up their artificial pitch at the CNG Stadium and replace it with grass.

Work has already begun, and Town will play their first home matches at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster next month.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter