Simon Weaver

As a player, Simon Weaver was a central defender, beginning his career as an apprentice with Sheffield Wednesday. He made his professional debut during a loan spell with Doncaster Rovers in February 1997 and went on to play for numerous clubs, such as Nuneaton Borough, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Kidderminster Harriers, York City and Scarborough. He turned to coaching in 2009 while at Harrogate Town, where he was appointed player- manager and he went on to play a significant part in transforming the fortunes of the club. In May 2018, Harrogate won the play-off final against Brackley Town to reach the National League for the first time. Just two years later Weaver led the club into the English Football League for the first time in its history after beating Notts County in the National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium. In May 2021 he led the club back to Wembley, where Harrogate won the 2020 FA Trophy Final, postponed from the previous year. He has been manager of Harrogate for nearly 600 league games.