MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 19:49:32| >> :120:56531:56531:

Harrogate to begin gearing up for National League playoffs

Harrogate to begin gearing up for National League playoffs
© Reuters
The North Yorkshire side sit second in the National League.

Harrogate are preparing for a return to training on Tuesday as they gear up for the National League play-offs.

A resolution to decide the final league table on a points-per-game basis, with promotion, relegation and a play-off competition is being considered by member clubs, who must submit their responses by close of business on Monday.

The North Yorkshire side sit second, so would be in line for a home semi-final if the resolution passes.

Their manager Simon Weaver told the PA news agency: "The players have been given the instruction to come into training on Tuesday.

"A few weeks ago we would have never thought it would come to play-offs because coronavirus was so rife you wouldn't have thought it was possible.

"But it's good news for everyone that sport's coming back. There will have to be stringent precautions taken but we'll play by the book as I'm sure the other teams will. Although it will be different, we've got a job to do and it would be amazing to see it through now."

Weaver said the plan was for the play-off quarter-finals to be played on July 18, which would mean the semi-final for Harrogate taking place a few days after that.

The final will be played at a neutral venue on or before July 31.

Weaver insists the testing programme must be as regular as it is in the Premier League and the EFL, and that Harrogate's physio has already made preparations to get the club's training ground ready.

Asked how the last few months had been for him and his players, Weaver said: "It's been a strange old time. The first couple of weeks were hardest for me as an individual.

"The death rate was rising and rising and bigger things than football were at large then. But you're kind of stunned as well that your life as you knew it was completely changed.

"Our last game was Friday the 13th, quite apt really, and we were the first English club to cancel a fixture because we pulled out of a game against Solihull.

"We had a couple of members of staff who had all the symptoms so we thought 'well, we're not spreading that on the bus'.

Harrogate are second in the National League
Harrogate are second in the National League (Martin Rickett/PA)

"It's been a sad time, but sport has been a great release and even us that are involved day to day, you're trapped in a passion and it's sad when you can't do what you want to do.

"Hopefully it's improving, and it's great to be talking about getting back on the pitch."

If the resolution passes, National League leaders Barrow would be promoted to League Two, taking the EFL back up to 72 members following the demise of Bury. The play-off winners would take the place of whoever is relegated from League Two.

Stevenage are bottom as it stands, but second-bottom Macclesfield face further EFL charges which could lead to an independent disciplinary commission imposing further points penalties on them.

ID:402281: cacheID:402281:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6671:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Harrogate managing director insists club should be promoted to League Two
>
Read more about Simon Weaver Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall19124335191640
2Port Vale2010642619736
3Crewe AlexandraCrewe199732416834
4AFC Wimbledon19103631161533
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster209652823533
6Chesterfield2087535231231
7Grimsby Town2010192730-331
8MK Dons1893630201030
9Gillingham199282016429
10Bradford CityBradford197752419528
11Notts County197752521428
12Salford City197662019127
13Cheltenham TownCheltenham207582728-126
14Bromley195952323024
15BarrowBarrow196581818023
16Newport CountyNewport196582128-723
17Fleetwood TownFleetwood175752322122
18Colchester UnitedColchester1941052322122
19Tranmere RoversTranmere195681426-1221
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2063111730-1321
21Accrington StanleyAccrington184682533-818
22Swindon TownSwindon2037102334-1116
23Morecambe2035121936-1714
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1935111532-1714


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!