Irving Weaver statement

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As a consequence of Bill Fotherby deciding to step down from his position as Chairman, it is a natural progression that as majority shareholder (through my Holding Company)I take up the responsibility of the role of Chairman.
It means more profile than I would naturally seek, but it is essential that Harrogate Town is projected, obviously by results, but also by marketing and continual news of initiatives and progress.We need to develop not only a football team but also a football club.
The imminent conclusion of having a separate company with charitable status will help to develop our fund raising opportunities, whilst creating far greater links with our community,than in the past.
We have support from the Football Association to afford us to level the pitch this next close season. The building on Wetherby Road, subject to planning, will be refurbished to provide offices for administration, a point of contact, advanced ticket sales and a small shop for our merchandise. The modernised building with good signage, open to a very busy Wetherby Road will send a clear message that we are open for business and a statement of intent about the progress of the club.
Whilst submitting the planning application for the offices, we have applied for planning permission to renew the terracing on Wetherby Road including a cantilevered roof extending to the pitch line. Again we have FA support to help with the funding.
Other initiatives are the refurbishment of the Sponsors lounge which is essential in order to increase corporate support from the businesses of Harrogate and District and continual upgrade of the Social Club.
This will be a long haul, but block by block with your help we will get there.

2 Words: Promosing, optimistic.

Yes this sounds good. I suppose that the owner/manager situation is not ideal, but it looks as though we are in good hands with Irving Weaver in charge, and you feel as though he will actually get things done. Bill got so caught up in thewhole new ground scenario, that little was done to Wetherby Road itself. Changes sound good, but what about some raised terracing behind the goals?

Well we’ve got reduced admission into the ground, we’ve got a new p.a. system, we‘ve got the majority of The Cross Bar refurbished, we’ve got Sky, & reduced prices for drinks, we’ve got a new website, we are in the process of refurbishing the sponsors lounge, we have started to create links with the community [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
At a district wide level!
You need to be looking at bringing new supporters to the club from the whole of the Harrogate District
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As well as the Wetherby area, Tadcaster, Otley, north east Leeds, in fact a link up with [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Where Town season ticket holders travel half price to get to the games might be something to look at!!!!
Sponsorship
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Is another area they are working on!
You need to look at a Football Club as a fishing boat!!!!
You never know when & how much fish you are going to catch but when you do come across them you need a big enough net in place to catch as many as possible!!!!
Sadly in the past our net has been too small & we have missed out on a bigger haul!!!

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Another long term project!
It could really do with its own website and be run as a separate entity like the majority of supporters clubs with just a link from the main club website!
Obviously you will still need a partnership between the supporters club & the club itself!
Developing “Hereditary support” has to be the long term goal for the club!
Because the majority of clubs at this level and above have had this in place for years!
Still the potential quality of the fish in this area is good and if we can catch enough of them it could start to give us the strength to compete with the opposition!!
Who’s off to Barrow?

I agree with a lot of the opinions voiced here. Bill was too hung up on "a new ground" and (IMHO) expected the council to grant him every planning permission he wanted "on the nod". And when it didn't happen, he had no plan B. Similarly with the big "show" about the Rugby Ground...all wind and (er) bluster

Irving Weavers statements seem to me to be more understated and therefore more realistic. And he's put the ball very neatly back in the Council's charge. Granting planning permission for the improvements outlined should be a foregone conclusion IF the Council is really interested in improving community services - including the "environment" for those of us who prefer Football to egg chasing (and I speak as a former prop forward with "house" colours).

As paulstreet says, the Owner/Manager relationship is not ideal and is going to have to be addressed at some stage. At the moment, as long as we stay in the BSN then I think having Weaver junior as manager is the price we'll have to pay. With our current setup, we can't get promoted due to the state of the ground so as long as we don't get relegated then Weaver junior can stay as manager.

Irving Weaver's statements do make a lot of sense (not just this last one). I hope that it isn't all wind and etc.