We are extremely proud to announce our Life President George Dunnington has been named Vanarama National League Volunteer of the Month.
George has been involved at the club since the 1960's acting over all those years in a number of roles including groundsman, director, club secretary, fund raiser, director and head of ground maintenance, all without asking for a penny in return.
Now in his 80s, George still heads up ground maintenance, manages the team of groundsmen and is at the ground more often than not helping out in any way he can.
George recently wrote in the Harrogate Town 2018/19 Season review, commenting on how far the club has come since he first became involved and how our promotion to The National League brought with it an unrivalled feeling of pride.
“This is a reward, not just for me, but for people who I am friendly with here who have been involved over the years.” He said upon receiving the award.
“Sadly, some of the people who helped me have passed away, the main one being my brother three years ago, he and I were very close, besides being a brother and a friend he had the same habit as me – hard work.
“I played here as a 20-year-old before Alan Smith called me with a drainage problem so I came down, did a bit of research and started to improve areas of the ground, it was my outlet.
“In the late 60's, when the club was taken over by Alan, the club was at rock bottom, the place was a tip, but slowly with Alan's efforts to raise money we steadily built the club up.
“He is the man who brought me here and I will always be grateful to Alan Smith and his family because we were a family club, and now Mr Weaver is creating that again.
“For me the club is in the best it could be and I am ever so grateful to all who have helped achieve what we have achieved.”
Managing Director Garry Plant commented: “This is a well-deserved accolade for a fine gentlemen who has underpinned the development of the club for over 50 years.
“He is an inspiration to everyone, always positive, smiling and willing to go the extra mile.
“George truly is Mr Harrogate Town and a thoroughly generous and loyal person, a real gentlemen.”
“We all owe George and his brother Alf an immense debt of gratitude.”