Why Newcastle United approached Harrogate Town for pre-season friendly

The Magpies will visit Wetherby Road on Sunday, July 18, much to the delight of manager Simon Weaver who has explained how the pre-season friendly came to be arranged.

"I received an email from Newcastle explaining that they are holding a training camp this summer just up the road at Queen Ethelburga's College," the Sulphurites boss told the Harrogate Advertiser.

"They said they were interested in coming to play against us in a friendly due to our close proximity and we were delighted to be able to arrange something.

"It's amazing news. We've not been able to attract the bigger clubs here in the past because of the 3G pitch that we had.

"Assuming that supporters are allowed inside the stadium by that point, it will be fantastic to see the Geordies turning up at Wetherby Road in their droves.

"We're really looking forward to it."

Newcastle are also due to play Town's local rivals York City on the same day, but will split their first-team squad between the two fixtures, meaning that a host of big names are guaranteed to be involved in both matches.

Town's first first pre-season friendly ahead of their 2021/22 League Two campaign will take place at Championship outfit Huddersfield Town’s Canalside training ground on July 10.

They then follow this up with a trip to former assistant manager Vill Powell’s Brighouse Town on July 13.

Then, on July 18, Weaver and his men welcome Newcastle for what will be their first home fixture of the campaign.

On July 27, Town return to Blackwell Meadows to take on a National League North Darlington.

Additional friendly fixtures taking place this summer will be confirmed at a later date.

Kick-off times are to be confirmed, with ticket information - should supporters be able to attend - to be released in due course.