Simon Weaver becomes Harrogate Town co-owner as father steps aside
Simon Weaver now owns the club he manages.
Harrogate Town have confirmed that Weaver and local businessman Jonathan Bleazard have taken joint ownership of the club, ending the ownership of Weaver's father, Irving. The news was confirmed on 16 October 2026, according to BBC Sport.
It comes with Harrogate flying. The club were second in the table after 13 matches. They are back in the National League — the fifth tier of English football, one step below the Football League — after relegation last season.
The Weaver family story runs deep here. Simon took charge as manager in May 2009. His father took ownership in 2011, after previous backer Bill Fotherby stopped funding the club. Irving, who was linked with construction firm Strata Homes when he arrived, later became chairman.
Together they led Harrogate into the Football League for the first time in 2020. The North Yorkshire club then spent six seasons in League Two, the fourth tier, before dropping out last season.
Weaver has stressed there will be no change in the dugout. He said his position and role as manager will not change after becoming co-owner.
What makes this stand out is the continuity. Seventeen years in one job is rare in football. At Harrogate, the manager is now also the custodian, with a promotion push already under way.
