Weaver buoyed as hitman Dominic Knowles returns to Harrogate Town from Burton Albion

Harrogate Town will have a recognisable face leading their line this season after Simon Weaver brought former hotshot Dominic Knowles back to the CNG Stadium,

Knowles made an instant impact with Town fans when he signed on non-contract terms during the 2012/13 season.

He scored ten goals in 12 appearances in a yellow and black shirt and fired the club towards the play-off places

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However, his goals tally attracted the attentions of then League Two side Burton Albion, who swept in to sign the striker on Non League transfer deadline day.

Dominic Knowles has a shot on goal in his first spell at Harrogate Town Picture by Gerard BinksDominic Knowles has a shot on goal in his first spell at Harrogate Town Picture by Gerard Binks
Dominic Knowles has a shot on goal in his first spell at Harrogate Town Picture by Gerard Binks

The striker scored just three goals in 39 appearances at the Pirelli Stadium and found himself on the fringes of the squad under boss Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink.

Weaver was delighted to have snapped up a “potential match winner” to lead the line alongside targetman Paul Clayton.

The boss said: “I have been pursuing him for quite some time. He made such an impact on the club the last time he was with us.

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“We were disappointed to lose him on transfer deadline day and we missed a player of that quality up front when he went. We have persevered with it and tried to stay patient to bring a match winner back to the club.

“He has come back to us because he likes the set up and knows we have professed. He believes we can get the best out of him.”

Town have been short on striking options for the new National North campaign following the season-ending knee injury to under 21s boss Paul Beesley.

Beesley’s injury left Weaver with only Paul Clayton and Jordan Thewlis as striking options and he said signing a forward had become a “necessity”.

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Weaver added: “We needed something more down the middle and now we have got a finisher that specialises in the six-yard box. He is someone who can take a yards from a defender and put the ball in the back of the net.”

Knowles marked his return with a goal in Town’s 3-2 pre-season victory over Gateshead at the CNG Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Luke Shiels and Paul Clayton were also on target as Town twice came from behind to beat the National Premier outfit.

Town will be back in action when York City arrive for a pre-season encounter on Saturday afternoon.