Newly promoted Harrogate Town to play first few home matches at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium

Harrogate – who beat Notts County at Wembley on Sunday in the National League play-off final to earn a place in League Two – currently have an artificial playing surface at their Wetherby Road home.

EFL regulations do not permit the use of artificial surfaces for competitive matches, meaning Town will be forced to lay a natural pitch ahead of their first campaign in the league.

Though the club have immediately commenced the process, it will take ten weeks and not be completed until mid-October at the earliest, requiring Harrogate to find an alternative venue for their first few home matches with the season due to begin on September 12.

Owner Irving Weaver – originally from Sprotbrough – has told local radio station Stray FM that he has agreed with Rovers to play Harrogate’s first three matches at the Keepmoat.

"It's a 10-week process," Irving said.

"The first match it'll be available is 10th October and we have agreement, that the league have accepted, where we can share a ground with Doncaster Rovers."

It is understood the EFL are still to fully ratify the agreement, though there is not expected to be an objection. Rovers have yet to comment.

It is also understood that Harrogate have made a request to the EFL that their fixture list is weighted with more away games at the start of the campaign due to the exceptional circumstances involved but there is no guarantee this would be granted.

Weaver has a long-standing friendship with Rovers owner Terry Bramall due to their history in the building trade. Weaver owns housebuilding firm Strata.

His son Simon – who was born and raised in Doncaster and had a loan spell with Rovers in 1997 – has been Town’s manager since 2009.

Playing at the Keepmoat is nothing new for Harrogate, who were given permission to play matches at the stadium during the 2012/13 season when they were having issues with their own pitch.

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