KNARESBOROUGH Town have announced their pre-season friendly fixtures - with a clash against Harrogate Town the standout.

Simon Parkes’ side will welcome a side from the Sky Bet League Two outfit to Manse Lane on Tuesday, July 25 (7:45pm), in their final friendly before the start of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League season.

Harrogate’s 2022/23 season proved to be a mixed one, culminating in a 19th placed finish in their third season in the Football League.

York Press: Knaresborough will welcome a Harrogate Town side in their final pre-season friendly.Knaresborough will welcome a Harrogate Town side in their final pre-season friendly. (Image: PA)

Boro’s first match will see them take on NCEL rivals Harrogate Railway, whom Mick O’Connell led to a second-placed finish last season before moving to Tadcaster Albion.

They will then travel to North West Counties Football League first division North side Ilkley Town, who secured the highest finish in the club’s history to finish in the division’s play-offs last season.

Pitching In Northern Premier League division one east high-fliers North Shields will visit Manse Lane on July 15 before Knaresborough make the short trip to North Yorkshire rivals Selby Town on July 17.

They will then host Pontefract Collieries on July 21 before their showpiece friendly against Harrogate.

Alongside welcoming promotion-winning captain Will Lenehan back to the club, Knaresborough have also announced the addition of defender Sam Kilner for the upcoming season.

Kilner, who was a mainstay at Hemsworth Miners’ Welfare last season after a spell at Mossley, will add experience to Boro’s back line.

Knaresborough Town pre-season schedule:

Harrogate Railway (A) - Saturday, July 8 (3pm)

Ilkley Town (A) - Tuesday, July 11 (7:45pm)

North Shields (H) -  Saturday, July 15 (3pm)

Selby Town (A) - Monday, July 17 (7:45pm)

Pontefract Collieries (H) - Friday, July 21 (7:45pm)

Harrogate Town XI (H) - Tuesday, 25 July (7:45pm)