Hoping Bradford City clash at Harrogate Town is worth it

I live in Horsforth, so it's about a 20 minute direct train up to Harrogate, and then around a mile-long walk from station to ground.

I was always planning to visit anyway, as I have a free Saturday and it's actually easier for me to get there than Valley Parade.

Besides, as I've discussed before in my column, I'm an old school pal of Brad Halliday's long-term girlfriend, so I want to catch up with her at the game too.

I then had a brainwave a fortnight or so ago.

I have my Senior Journalism exams at the start of November, with a multiple-story sports portfolio to submit by the end of October.

One of the categories in the portfolio involves submitting a piece of "visual journalism", so it struck me that I could do a photo diary of Saturday's game to fit the criteria.

A working title of "A Day at the Derby" was my starting point, and I'll be attempting to take pictures of, among other things, the action, the crowd, and maybe even the press box (sorry Parker).

I know roughly where everything is at the EnviroVent too, having visited with one of my best friends, Michael, last season.

Perhaps I do care too much about my Newcastle United boys, but at least I was one of a handful of hardy Magpies who can say they witnessed our Under-21s' 2-0 defeat in the Papa John's Trophy last October.

Not only were we watching the game in miserable autumn weather, but I had to go undercover among the standing Harrogate fans, pretending to be vaguely happy as their team dominated the young Geordies.

My excitement at Harrogate was sadly short-lived last October. (Image: NQ Staff.)

Even so, at least the experience inadvertently prepared for me for Saturday's working trip.

But as always with me, even the best laid plans can quickly go awry.

I had the perfect schedule prepared, get to Harrogate for about midday, head to the pub to watch a mouthwatering top-of-table clash in the Premier League between North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, before getting to the Envirovent for around quarter to three.

First problem, which dawned on me suddenly as I went for a walk to see my childhood home on some time off back in Guisborough last week, Harrogate versus City isn't a 3pm kick-off.

Of course, amid all the talk currently about games being moved to a lunchtime this winter due to the current energy crisis, this derby had been pencilled in for a 1pm start since the beginning of the season.

Like Hartlepool's home game against the Bantams a few weeks ago, it has been brought forward by two hours on police advice.

Harry Chapman (left) on the ball in City's 3-1 lunchtime win at Hartlepool last month. Picture: Tom Pearson. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Given their rapid rise through the leagues, I doubt Harrogate's ultras are the most feared in the land, but a derby is a derby, so I understand the reasoning.

An earlier start isn't the end of the world though, and as a Newcastle fan, it might give me chance afterwards to dive into a pub showing Soccer Saturday for our Premier League game at Fulham, which does get underway at 3pm.

Second problem, getting a match ticket.

Having needed to register on the Harrogate Town website to get those Papa John's tickets last season, I somehow seem to have two email addresses linked to my account.

But I couldn't find my Harrogate Town membership number on either of them.

So, international man of mystery that I am, and after Plan A of trying to frantically type in various passwords and hope they worked proved a failure, I used my work email to buy a ticket on Tuesday afternoon.

Not ideal, but given I'm going for work purposes, no harm done.

A faff about, and a bit of a waste of my lunch break, sure, but the ticket was booked, and the £23 for it not a huge hole in my bank account given I've just been paid.

At least there will be a decent attendance for this derby, unlike the same fixture in 2020/21, which saw no fans attend games virtually all season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Thomas Gadd.

Third and final problem, which entered my head, typically, at about 12:30am on Wednesday morning. Saturday's nationwide train strike.

Of course the easiest game for me to get to of Bradford City's season wasn't going to be easy, I should have known that.

Not a single train is running between Horsforth and Harrogate on Saturday, so alternative means of transport will have to be sought.

One look at the cost of an Uber up there told me that wasn't happening, so it'll have to be the bus, the mode of transport that makes me more travel-sick than any other.

As far as I can tell, there's not even a bus that goes directly between Horsforth and Harrogate, so leaving the house far earlier than initially planned, I'll need to get one to Leeds, before catching the 36 Transdev from there to Harrogate.

Obstacles have kept coming up, but I will be going to the game, whatever it takes.

Armed with travel tablets, a couple of bus tickets, and a smartphone to somehow attempt to capture something close to professional-looking photographs, Saturday might be more arduous than I initially thought.

So, the least you can do is win for me please City.

What's that you're saying, the Bantams have lost every competitive game they've ever played against Harrogate...