Adam Nowakowski: ‘It’s right time to leave Harrogate Town’

The midfielder joined his hometown club Harrogate six years ago and has amassed 178 appearances in a yellow and black shirt.

But chances to impress were limited during Town’s difficult campaign fighting in the lower regions of the Conference North, a season in which they finished 15th.

The 27-year-old has since been approached by several non league clubs and he admitted the time was right for a change of scenery.

He told manager Simon Weaver of his decision to exit the club earlier this week.

“It’s time for a new challenge,” Nowakowski told the Harrogate Advertiser Series.

“I have loved playing for the club but I have had a few approaches from other clubs and it’s time to make a change.

The powerful midfielder made 37 appearances for Town this season, but he often found himself dropping out of Weaver’s plans when new signings were brought in.

And he was cast aside in the dying months of the 2014/15 season with youngsters Cecil Nyoni, Andy Gascoigne and James Cadman preferred ahead of him.

“It’s been a frustrating year,” added Nowakowski, who scored just twice in 37 appearances this season.

“Although I have played a lot of games, the last few months I have been in the stands, while there have been young lads playing. It’s been a surprise.”

The likely lad joined Town from the far reaches of the Harrogate and District League, after catching the eye of scout Mike Bligh playing for Harlow Hill.

In his first season at the CNG Stadium, Nowakowski captained Town’s reserves to a league triumph before breaking into Weaver’s first team.

He scored his first goal in a 3-2 victory over FC United of Manchester the following season before later helping the club into the FA Cup second round in 2012.

“Simon gave me the chance and for that I can’t thank him enough for that,” the club’s second longest serving player added.

“I love the club so much, they have looked after me, and on a personal level they have been amazing.

“This year, the supporters have even started a chant for me about my name being so long, something to do with me being good at Scrabble.

“You just don’t get that on the Stray, so I will miss all of them.

“It really will be really sad for me not to play there next year, but it’s time for me to be a man about it and move on. Now just feels right.

“I want to be playing football consistently at a good level and at a good club. I want to go somewhere with a chance of winning something.”

Meanwhile, Town’s topscorer James Walshaw also looks set to leave the club.

When asked by a user on Twitter whether his future remained at Town, he replied: “there isn’t a future there!”

He later added: “Harrogate’s a club that will eventually go places.

“It has some top people there but unfortunately I didn’t fit into the managers plans.

“I enjoyed meeting some top lads and have no regrets. The fans were great and I wish the club well.”