How two Sheffield Wednesday fans made history at Wembley this weekend

Sheffield Wednesday fans, Irving and Simon Weaver, will have been smiling from ear to ear on Sunday as they made history with Harrogate Town following a famous day at Wembley Stadium.
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The father and son duo have played a huge part in Harrogate’s climb up the footballing pyramid in recent years, and the 3-1 win over Notts County this weekend saw them climb up into the English Football League for the very first time.

Irving, the club’s chairman, came on board at the club in 2011, a couple of years after his son, Simon, was named as player-manager, and since then they’ve risen up through the ranks and now are beginning their preparations for life in League Two as one of the smallest clubs in professional English football.

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Speaking to BBC Radio York, he said, “It's a dream come true. It's an unbelievable experience.

"The players are so driven, my job is easy with this group. They want it so much. It's really refreshing and it's great to manage."

Meanwhile, on the topic of his dad’s ownership, he added, “Of course there'll always be people shouting 'nepotism' but all I can do is work my socks off and try and make my dad proud… He's a fantastic person and hopefully I've learnt a bit about his leadership because it's second to none."

The Weavers were SWFC season-ticket holders many years ago, and that win at Wembley has taken Simon a step closer to a return to Hillsborough more than 20 years after he was released in 1998.

Former Sheffield Wednesday man, Simon Weaver, was victorious at Wembley on Sunday. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Former Sheffield Wednesday man, Simon Weaver, was victorious at Wembley on Sunday. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Former Sheffield Wednesday man, Simon Weaver, was victorious at Wembley on Sunday. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

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Weaver's Harrogate will now play in League Two. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Weaver's Harrogate will now play in League Two. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Weaver's Harrogate will now play in League Two. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

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