Harrogate Town - January Transfer Window needs and priorities

Transfer priorities: Back in the summer, Simon Weaver vowed to give the core of the group that earned Harrogate Town promotion to the Football League a chance to prove themselves as League Two footballers. Many of them have shown themselves to be up to the task, but, naturally, some have been found wanting.

In addition, the signings that the Wetherby Road club has made since winning the National League play-off final in August have largely been pretty underwhelming, while a mini injury crisis at the end of November left Weaver unable to even fill his substitutes' bench for a home clash against Scunthorpe United.

With Harrogate now 17th in the table despite a bright start to 2020/21, it has become clear that both additional quality and numbers are required.

Weaver has made no secret of his desire to bring in reinforcements and thus, January looks set to be a big window for the Sulphurites.

Town have already finalised two deals, with another two expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Striker Josh March, 23, has arrived on a season-long loan deal from fourth-tier rivals Forest Green Rovers in a bid to attempt to lighten the burden on nine-goal top-scorer Jack Muldoon.

Meanwhile, Weaver has also moved to bring in 20-year-old Norwich City prospect William Hondermarck, a player described as an "athletic, box-to-box midfielder" who should add both power and goals to the centre of the park.

A third loan move for a versatile attacking player is on the verge of being finalised, while a permanent transfer for a defender is also in the pipeline.

“These are all good players who will make a difference,” the Weaver said of his January targets.

“We’re not in for stocking-fillers, we’ve gone for lads who will be competing for starting places immediately. We need players who are able to hit the ground running.”

Prior to landing Hondermarck and March, Weaver had already added ex-Manchester City midfielder Ed Francis – a free agent following his departure from Wolves – and is not ruling out further incomings later in the window.

Cover at left-back is probably the most obvious area that the Sulphurites still need to address, and the Town boss has confirmed that he is on the look-out for a new face who will tick that particular box.

Some outgoings are also imminent and left-winger Joe Leesley has already seen his loan deal with Boston United of National League North extended until the end of the current campaign.

Another left-winger, Tom Walker, has recently returned from a spell at Notts County, however he is expected to make another temporary move away from North Yorkshire in the not-too-distant future.

Ins: Josh March (Forest Green Rovers, loan), William Hondermarck (Norwich City, loan)

Outs: Joe Leesley (Boston United, loan).