Harrogate Town AFC

Watch the Gaffer's pre Sheffield Wednesday interview here…



The Gaffer on our pre-season camp at Loughborough…

It's been an excellent few days and all the lads have worked really, really hard. Fitness levels are really high right now but they're tired this afternoon and have a well-deserved rest today. We'll soon be back on it again, though.

The new players have settled in quite easily and have had a good laugh between themselves. They're all becoming friends straight away which is great and what we need after making quite a few new signings.

On the injuries of Falkingham, Smith and McArdle…

The injured lads are progressing at different rates. We're hoping for Falks (Falkingham) after the first couple of games of the season, Will Smith will be back around Christmas time but is making great progress and is working really hard. Rory McArdle should hopefully be back sooner rather than later in pre-season.

On a return to action against Sheffield Wednesday…

Sheffield Wednesday will be a huge test. They were right up there in the league last season and almost got promoted via the playoffs. It'll be good to welcome them, who are a huge club with rich history. It should be a good occasion.

Everyone has been without football for a little while now so I'm sure the appetite is there and it'll be a nice evening for a good game of football.

On testing and looking after the group…

It is important we test ourselves against quality opposition but pre-season can be a funny one. You can have a fantastic pre-season but not necessarily take that forward into the actual season but what's important - with all the injuries we had last year - is to take good care of the lads, get them as fit as possible and try get them through pre-season unscathed. We need to build that bond and collectivity between the lads and so far, so good. The lads are training their hearts out and hopefully we can put that into the games.

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