Harrogate boss Simon Weaver 'embarrassed' after 3-0 defeat by nine-man Carlisle
Simon Weaver said he was "Embarrassed to be honest" after Harrogate Town were beaten 3-0 by nine-man Carlisle United at Brunton Park in a National League fixture on 29 October 2026.
Carlisle entered the game against an in-form Harrogate Town who had been on a five-game winning run and were sitting second in the National League, 10 places and 11 points better off than Carlisle. Harrogate's manager Simon Weaver has been in charge of the club since 2008 and became co-owner earlier this month.
Carlisle took an early lead in the match before former Arsenal player Miguel Azeez was sent off after 14 minutes. The Blues were reduced further when midfielder Harvey Bunker received a straight red card after 30 minutes, leaving Carlisle with nine players.
It meant Carlisle were two men light with 60 minutes to play, yet the Blues added to their lead immediately after half-time and ultimately completed a 3-0 victory. The result was described in the report as one that will be talked about by the fans at Brunton Park for years to come and is likely to haunt everyone connected with Harrogate.
When asked to sum up his emotions, Weaver told BBC Radio York: "Embarrassed to be honest."
Weaver continued on BBC Radio York: "We came into it with brilliant form but it looked like as a team and a collective we believed the hype coming into the game. "However, going down to 10 men and then nine men the emphasis was on us to show the required quality on the ball that we have done all season up to this point and we're certainly disappointed and fell well below the standards set so far this season. "We looked well off it. We didn't handle the situation. Full credit to Carlisle, they deserved to win but we have to look at our performance."
Carlisle manager Rob Elliot told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I don't think they appreciate what they've just done. "There was no luck. It was just superb performances and I'm immensely proud. "I'm hoping it's a catalyst for us to unite and make sure we carry on that momentum. If we can produce this every week then we become a monster and be unstoppable. "It epitomised what I want from the staff, the players and the club. "When you are reduced to playing for pure passion, heart, desire and energy it becomes evident of what it means." He also described it as "the most incredible" game of his playing or managerial career and said the players would be given an impromptu day off on Thursday before they play at Altrincham on Saturday.
The Sulphurites are now 10 points off runaway leaders Boreham Wood and will travel to Forest Green on Saturday, while Carlisle's next fixture is at Altrincham on Saturday.