HARROGATE Town play their first league game as a National League club since March 2020 when they entertain Solihull Moors at Wetherby Road this afternoon.

It is likely to be a new-look Sulphurites squad as well, with 11 new signings joining following the club's EFL relegation, with a host leaving as well.

Such a turn-over of players might suggest that it will take time for Harrogate to gel.

Taking a different stance, boss Simon Weaver countered: "It's been a breath of fresh air from all corners of the club really. So we don't want to have the excuse of having time to gel."

Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

The game comes too early for recent arrival Tom Lees, still recovering from a minor calf injury picked up on trial at Rotherham United, while new signing Josh Hmani is unlikely to be available.

Ellis Taylor and Ben Fox are definitely out along with Grant Horton, but Morgan Williams and Ciaran McGuckin could be involved.

For seemingly the umpteenth season, FC Halifax Town start a campaign with a new-look side with several key players from the last campaign having departed for pastures new, in what has become a bit of a depressing theme for sections of their supporters.

Star trio Will Harris, Jay-Turner Cooke and Hmani have all left - leaving a big goalscoring void to fill in the process.

FC Halifax Town sold key man Josh Hmani to Yorkshire rivals Harrogate Town earlier this week. Picture courtesy of HTAFC.

Manager John McGrath, whose side visit Forest Green in a tough opener, said: "That's the conundrum, you don't really want to lose goals from your team and good players.

"But for different reasons, ultimately they didn't want to remain at the club, so we have to move on and try and find replacements."