Harrogate Town would be willing to listen to offers for Joe Leesley

Simon Weaver has confirmed that Harrogate Town are open to offers for out-of-favour winger Joe Leesley.
Joe Leesley has made 134 starts for Harrogate Town since joining the club in 2016, but is yet to feature this season. Pictures: Matt KirkhamJoe Leesley has made 134 starts for Harrogate Town since joining the club in 2016, but is yet to feature this season. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Joe Leesley has made 134 starts for Harrogate Town since joining the club in 2016, but is yet to feature this season. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The 26-year-old is yet to feature in a competitive game this season and was not even included in the matchday squad for Tuesday’s EFL Trophy clash with Leicester City under-21s - a fixture which Weaver used as an opportunity to give minutes to the players who have found themselves on the fringes of his squad thus far in 2020/21.

Leesley is contracted to Town until 2022, but it would appear that his future now lies away from Wetherby Road.

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The former Alfreton man is currently available for loan, but Town would also consider letting him leave on a permanent basis – if they received a suitable offer.

Joe Leesley celebrates with Simon Weaver and the Harrogate Town dug-out after netting a screamer against Solihull Moors on the opening day of the 2019/20 season.Joe Leesley celebrates with Simon Weaver and the Harrogate Town dug-out after netting a screamer against Solihull Moors on the opening day of the 2019/20 season.
Joe Leesley celebrates with Simon Weaver and the Harrogate Town dug-out after netting a screamer against Solihull Moors on the opening day of the 2019/20 season.

Asked about the possibility of allowing Leesley to move on, Weaver replied: “Yeah, I would be open to that.

“I was left out enough times during my playing career to know how frustrating it is, so I understand Joe’s situation.

“It would however have to be the right deal for Joe.

“At the moment he’s still under contract but he could really do with going out and getting some games. There have been a few interested parties who have been in touch about a loan, but they haven’t been the right option.

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“We’re not just going to palm him off, Joe will have a say in what happens, too.”

Leesley spent most of Harrogate's 2019/20 National League promotion campaign out on loan, initially with Stockport County, then at League Two Stevenage.

He was however included in Town’s squad for their play-off semi-final and final clashes, but remained an unused substitute on each occasion.

And, Weaver has revealed that he informed the player that he would have limited opportunities this term before 2020/21 got underway.

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“I got Joe in and said that given the way things were shaping up and the options we have out wide, he would probably find it difficult to break into the side this season," the Town boss added.

“There were a few in his way and obviously we’ve added more players who can play down the left. I wanted to be open, so Joe knows where he stands.

“There’s been no fall-out and it’s not one of these situations where we’ve been making him come in at all hours to train or making him train with the youth team, or anything like that. That's not what we're about.

“He’s not been playing, but we’ve tried to treat him the way we would like to be treated in the same situation.”

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Leesley is one of Town's longest-serving players having joined the club from Alfreton in June 2016.

He played a starring role during the club's promotion from the sixth tier in 2017/18, a season which saw him crowned National League North Player of the Year.

In total, he has made 134 starts for Harrogate, contributing 34 goals and 71 assists.