Wetherby Road

Multi-purpose stadium in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England

For Wetherby Road in Leeds, see A58 road.

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Exercise Stadium

Wetherby Road

Full name| The Exercise Stadium
Former names| CNG Stadium, EnviroVent Stadium
Location| Wetherby Road
Woodlands
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG2 7SA
Coordinates| 53°59′30″N 1°30′52″W﻿ / ﻿53.99167°N 1.51444°W﻿ / 53.99167; -1.51444
Owner| Harrogate Town
Operator| Harrogate Town
Capacity| 5,000 (2,000 seated)[1]
Record attendance| 4,280 (Harrogate Town 0–3 Harrogate Railway, 1949–50 Whitworth Cup Final)[2]
Construction
Opened| 28 August 1920
Renovated| 2014
Expanded| 1990, 2014, 2020
Tenants
Harrogate Town (1920–present)

Wetherby Road, known as the Exercise Stadium for sponsorship purposes,[3] is a multi-purpose stadium in Harrogate, England. It is mostly used for football matches, being the home ground of Harrogate Town A.F.C. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 people,[4][5] and is situated on the north side of the A661 Wetherby Road, east of and adjacent to Harrogate District Hospital.

## History

[edit]

While Harrogate Town formed in 1914, their original ground was on Starbeck Lane with the club later moving to Wetherby Road. The club constructed the Main Stand in 1990. Since September 2020, the ground has been sponsored by local ventilator manufacturers, EnviroVent.[6]

The record crowd of 4,280 was at the 1949–50 Whitworth Cup Final against Harrogate Railway, while the record league attendance was 3,000, at the 3–0 win over Brackley Town in the National League North playoff final in May 2018.[7]

Due to English Football League regulations requiring natural turf, Harrogate played their first home games after their 2020 promotion at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster. On 17 October, they returned to Wetherby Road and won 1–0 against Barrow in the first EFL game at the ground.[8]

## Description

[edit]

The pitch is aligned approximately northwest–southeast along the north side of the A661 Wetherby Road. Until 2014, there were no structures at the northern (hospital) end of the ground, but spectators could stand alongside the pitch. In 2014, a covered stand with standing facilities was added. The east side features two adjacent stands, both all-seated, and an executive suite. The south end (in 2023 being redeveloped) houses the clubhouse. The west side houses the turnstiles, a smaller all-seated stand with facilities for sponsors and the directors, and standing and seated areas for visiting supporters.[9]

### Gallery

[edit]

* The ground in 2014 before remodelling, looking southwest

* A socially distanced crowd in the East Stand in 2020

* Northwards view of Wetherby Road, showing Hospital End (left) and two stands on eastern side

## Access

[edit]

The nearest railway stations are Harrogate and Hornbeam Park, with services to Leeds and York, although both are around 20 minutes walk away. The stadium is served by the Harrogate Bus Company route 7 (previously 770), connecting the stadium with Harrogate bus station, Wetherby, Boston Spa, Seacroft and Leeds. There is a stop directly outside the stadium advertised for the football ground and hospital. According to the town's disc zone, parking in the area is restricted to two hours, being under disc zone 'H' (hospital).

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wetherby Road Stadium.

1. ^ "Harrogate Town AFC - The CNG Stadium". Harrogate Town AFC. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
2. ^ "Full History". Harrogate Town A.F.C. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
3. ^ "Exercise named Stadium Sponsors in multi-year deal". Harrogate Town A.F.C. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
4. ^ "Harrogate Town : EnviroVent Stadium". Retrieved 3 September 2020.
5. ^ "Wetherby Road- CNG Stadium". Football Ground Map. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
6. ^ Chalmers, Graham (3 September 2020). "Harrogate Town reveals stadium's new name in major sponsorship deal with EnviroVent". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
7. ^ "Club records". Harrogate Town A.F.C. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
8. ^ Howell, Rhys (19 October 2020). "How did Harrogate Town's brand-new grass pitch perform during Saturday's League Two win over Barrow AFC?". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
9. ^ "Harrogate Town". footballgrounds.com. October 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

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Harrogate Town Association Football Club

Overview|

* History
* Seasons

Grounds|

* Wetherby Road
* Keepmoat Stadium

Matches|

* 2020 National League play-off final
* 2020 FA Trophy final

Seasons|

* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

* v
* t
* e

2024–25 EFL League Two venues

* Bescot Stadium
* Blundell Park
* Brunton Park
* Colchester Community Stadium
* County Ground
* Crown Ground
* Eco-Power Stadium
* Gresty Road
* Hayes Lane
* Highbury Stadium
* Holker Street
* Mazuma Mobile Stadium
* Meadow Lane
* Moor Lane
* Plough Lane
* Prenton Park
* Priestfield Stadium
* Rodney Parade
* SMH Group Stadium
* Stadium MK
* Vale Park
* Valley Parade
* Wetherby Road
* Whaddon Road

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