There’s nothing unusual about your dad telling you to get a full-time job but at Harrogate Town things are slightly different.
Town owner and property multimillionaire Irving Weaver and his son, manager Simon Weaver, took the brave decision to take the club full-time last summer.
The North Yorkshire side’s run to the third round of the Buildbase FA Trophy and promotion challenge in National League North suggest it was the right call.
“Going full-time has been brilliant,” said manager Weaver, who was appointed in 2009.
“In every way you’d expect it to help you, it does and we look to maximise that advantage against part-time teams.
“The 3G pitch helps us make the most of it, we can get the lads playing the way we want to with the quality of the surface and amount of contact time we get.”
The artificial surface at the CNG Stadium, installed in 2016, saw the club increase its footfall to over 50,000 last season.
“I would describe the 3G as our big-bang moment,” explained managing director Garry Plant.
“Everything suddenly orbits around the pitch and the chairman has had the foresight to invest in facilities first, players second.”
Town’s last appearance in the third round of the competition came in 2002, a 2-0 loss to now-established EFL side Doncaster Rovers.
Under Weaver’s stewardship in 2012, they took the Emirates FA Cup scalp of then-League Two Torquay United with a 1-0 win at Plainmoor.
But paltry returns in cup competitions mean Harrogate’s ding-dong battle with Salford City at the top of National League North takes a back seat this weekend.
“The Trophy is hugely important for us,” added Weaver.
“It earns revenue for the club, balancing out the books and helps build momentum around the team.
“You’ve got to take it seriously – it’s a chance at Wembley.”
Weaver’s men have beaten Darlington, 2013 winners Wrexham and St Albans City to reach the third round.
Town’s league form has also been exceptional, scoring in every single game this season and winning each of their last five home games.
But Billericay Town lie in wait, on their own 18-game unbeaten streak, as their fight for promotion from the Isthmian League continues.
Like Harrogate, they have profited from a wealthy backer with steel magnate Glenn Tamplin pouring in funds as owner-manager.
The presence of 2010 Emirates FA Cup finalist Jamie O’Hara and Jermaine Pennant in their squad grab the headlines but striker Jake Robinson has already plundered 41 goals this term.
“They’re clearly playing below their level,” said Weaver, having travelled to Essex to see their 4-0 defeat of Worthing.
“They’ve got a lot of high-profile names for this level and we’re expecting a big crowd.”
Buildbase FA Trophy history
Town have managed to get through qualifying for the Trophy in seven of the last nine reasons but this is their sole run past the first round.
They fell in the first-round last season, only after a thrilling tie with National League side Barrow; drawing the first game 3-3 before a 4-2 loss in the replay.
But recent exits to Curzon Ashton and Gainsborough Trinity mean Town are out to make the most of this season’s successes.
Did you know?
Irving Weaver was preceded as chairman by Bill Fotherby, a director at Leeds United from 1978 to 1992 - encompassing the successful Howard Wilkinson era.
Fotherby, who helped take Town to National League North from the Northern League, sanctioned the sale of Eric Cantona to Manchester United in 1992.
The prize
The winner secures £8,000 and a place in the fourth round.
