Simon Weaver: Business as usual already for Harrogate Town's new co-owner

Simon Weaver insists that it is already very much a case of business as usual for him, less than a week after the announcement was made that he had become co-owner of Harrogate Town.

After 17 seasons managing the Sulphurites’ first team, the 48-year-old has joined forces with local businessman Jonathan Blezard to takeover the running of the club from his father, Irving Weaver.

This development leaves Weaver Jr in rather a unique position as far as English professional football is concerned, and has naturally attracted a significant amount interest from the outside world.

The fact that his first game in this new dual role played out live in front of BBC cameras as Town drew 1-1 at Bury in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup last Saturday only intensified matters.

But, although he admits that his and Blezard’s takeover was all anyone wanted to talk to him about in the days immediately after it was initially confirmed, Simon Weaver said that by the time the Shakers visited Wetherby Road for Tuesday night’s replay, he felt as if their acquisition of the club was “yesterday’s news.”

Speaking to the Harrogate Advertiser, he said: “I’m not going to lie, it did feel a bit different in the build-up to, and during the game at Bury last Saturday.

“Getting off the coach at Gigg Lane, it was slightly different, and then you’re getting peppered from all angles. It was one of the first things Bury’s manager spoke to me about when I met him, then I was shaking hands with the referee before the game and he offered his congratulations.

“You’ve also got the BBC there broadcasting the game live, it’s a talking point, and the cameras are on you for a lot of that.

“Even back home, I was in a shop and a supporter came up to me and asked about the ownership side of things. So the news has clearly had an impact on people, and it’s been talked about.

“But, by Tuesday night’s game, it was just back to normal. Like anything that happens, it soon becomes yesterday’s news and it all dies down, which has happened already and I am just getting on with things.”

On balancing his dual responsibilities as owner-manager, Weaver added: “It’s something that I’ll get used to.

“It is obviously more responsibility and the level of commitment has gone up another level. But, responsibility and commitment are things I’ve never shyed away from at this club.

“This challenge is one that Jonathan and I are really looking forward to.”

Having eventually got the better of seventh-tier Bury courtesy of a 3-1 success in Tuesday night’s replay, Town return to National League action this Saturday when they entertain Sutton United (12.30pm).