Ex-Imp Named As Harrogate Boss

20th May 2009

Former Lincoln City FC favourite Simon Weaver is today beginning a new job as he was surprisingly named as the new Harrogate Town manager.

Despite being only 31 years of age, Harrogate felt that Weaver was the best person for the job. A job that has become vacant due to the departure of Neil Aspin to FC Halifax.

Harrogate Town chairman Bill Fotherby enthused: "We are entering a new era at Harrogate Town, and what better start could we have than a young energetic man who is also setting out on a new era in his life."

Weaver's professional career, which began as a trainee at Sheffield Wednesday, has been a series of ups and downs. He left Sheffield Wednesday in August 1998 without making a first team appearance, although he did play two games on loan at Doncaster Rovers the season before his release.

He dropped into non-league football with Ilkeston Town, who were then managed by former Imps' boss Keith Alexander. Weaver then progressed to a higher level when he joined Conference club Nuneaton Borough. He stayed at Nuneaton for around 18 months before they opted to release him at the end of the 2001/02 season.

A stroke of luck followed for Weaver because by this time, Alexander had just been named manager of Lincoln City, who were in dire financial straits. Alexander was forced to hunt for cheap players, so he called upon Weaver, who became a vital part of Lincoln's unlikely heroes of the 2002/03 season.

Unfortunately for Weaver, Lincoln started to stabilise their financial footing and were able to afford better players. This saw Jamie McCombe arrive from Scunthorpe United in March 2004. McCombe immediately displaced Weaver from The Imps' first team, leaving Weaver seeking first team football elsewhere.

In September 2004, Weaver submitted a transfer request after dropping to fifth in line for a first team place. A three-month loan deal with Macclesfield Town was agreed, but midway through this loan period, he left Lincoln to join Kidderminster Harriers on a free transfer.

Alas, he failed to recapture the success enjoyed at Lincoln as Kidderminster were relegated from the Football League at the end of the 2004/05 season. Hence, Weaver dropped into the Conference although not with Kidderminster, but with Scarborough, who made him a summer capture.

The 2005-06 season was an extremely difficult one for Scarborough, which culminated in their expulsion from the Conference due to administration. However, Weaver's performances during his 22 appearances for Scarborough that season did earn him an unexpected trial at Bury. However, Bury chose not to follow up their initial interest. After leaving Scarborough he joined Conference club Tamworth. He would later leave Tamworth to join non-league Boston United in December 2007.

Weaver, after failing to agree a new contract at Boston United, joined King's Lynn ahead of the 2008/09 season. He was a first team regular up to December 2008 but lost his place, causing him to switch to Redditch United. His stay at Redditch was brief as Weaver then opted to rejoin Ilkeston Town where he helped them to promotion during the 2008/09 season.

Weaver appeared 101 time for Lincoln City, scoring four goals between May 2002 - December 2004.

Please click the links to view cheap merchandise for Kidderminster Harriers, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town or Sheffield Wednesday football club.