The Wednesdayite heading to Wembley – Former Sheffield Wednesday man, Simon Weaver, on brink of history

"The last time I went was in 1993 supporting Sheffield Wednesday - it’s been a long time, personally.” – Former Sheffield Wednesday man, Simon Weaver, is heading back to Wembley as his Harrogate Town side look to make history.
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The North Yorkshire club only went professional in 2017, but now they stand on the brink of promotion into the English Football League for the first time in their history as they go up against Notts County in the National League Play-Off final.

Weaver, who was born in Doncaster, was an apprentice with the Owls during his early years as a player, and – as his side prepare to step onto the field at Wembley Stadium next weekend – he’s recalled how his last trip there was watching the Owls lose to Arsenal as a teenager.

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The 42-year-old Yorkshireman has been in charge of Harrogate for over a decade since being appointed as player-manager in 2009, and he and his father – Irving Weaver is the club’s chairman – have overseen a dramatic rise up the pyramid.

Speaking to BT Sport this week, the Wednesdayite said, “I read an article yesterday, and it was a brilliant article in the newspaper, that said that Harrogate Town could be two games away from being the smallest club ever in the Football League.

“I told that the lads in there, and said, “Yeah, bang on! They’re right.”

Weaver was released by Wednesday aged 20, a few years after that Wembley trip, and he’ll be hoping his Sulphurites have better luck on that hallowed turf come Sunday afternoon.

Harrogate Town's Simon Weaver is a Wednesdayite and former Sheffield Wednesday apprentice.. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Harrogate Town's Simon Weaver is a Wednesdayite and former Sheffield Wednesday apprentice.. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Harrogate Town's Simon Weaver is a Wednesdayite and former Sheffield Wednesday apprentice.. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

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