
Harrogate Town have confirmed their first two signings as a Football League club. The Sulphurites were promoted to the fourth tier of English football for the first time in their history after the 3-1 play-off final win over Notts County earlier this month.
Simon Weaver’s side are scheduled to start their League Two campaign away from their Wetherby Road ground, given EFL rules don’t permit the use of synthetic playing surfaces.
As a result, they have agreed for a ground share of the Keepmoat Stadium owned with League One’s Doncaster Rovers until they are able to replace the 3G pitch with a grass surface.
With the new season only four-and-a-half weeks away, Town have already started making additions to their squad. On Tuesday evening, they confirmed two separate deals with midfielder Conor Kirby and defender Jake Lawlor joining them.
Kirby, 21, spent the previous season on loan at League Two side Macclesfield Town from Sheffield Wednesday. He turned out 39 times for The Silkmen and was named as the runner-up for their Player of the Season award.
He has now put pen-to-paper on one-year contract with the newly-promoted outfit following his release from Wednesday. He could have a key role to play in their battle to preserve their Football League status beyond next season.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Lawlor will get his first taste of Football League action. The centre-back has joined Town after seeing out his contract at Wrexham, who finished a disappointing 19th in the National League standings last term.
Lawlor has previously played for the likes of Guiseley, AFC Fylde and Salford City at the senior level. He has now been handed the opportunity to prove himself at a higher level of competition. Town boss Weaver has said that he has been following Lawlor’s displays for years and it remains to be seen whether he can repay the faith shown by the manager.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
