'Proud' Irving Weaver reflects on Harrogate Town's first-ever outing as a Football League club

Harrogate Town’s owner was in attendance at Prenton Park on Saturday as the Wetherby Road outfit played out a 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers before going on to beat them 8-7 on penalties, setting up a trip to Premier League West Bromwich Albion in round two of the Carabao Trip.

The match was Town’s first fixture since their memorable Wembley triumph over Notts County in the National League play-off final last month, a victory that secured a historic promotion to League Two.

And for Weaver, who took over a club that boasted just seven season-ticket-holders and attracted average gates in the 200s nine years ago, the occasion was another special one.

"It was terrific, I felt pretty proud," he told the Harrogate Advertiser.

"We've come here to a big ground, on a super surface and we've matched them [Tranmere]. Their Kop [5,696 capacity east stand] is bigger than our stadium.

"But it was like at Sunderland last week where we came at 'em and started brightly. They had their moments, but I thought we shaded it.

"It's a good start for the supporters in terms of getting them encouraged about us and what we're about, I think they'll really have enjoyed that end-to-end game, our hard-working display and the team-spirit you could see.

"Looking forward, maybe, just maybe we get a good season out of it."