Harrogate Town: ‘No grudges’ in Shane Killock loan move to Guiseley

The influential defender has joined Nethermoor Park on a two-month deal after Town accepted Lions manager Mark Bower’s approaches last week.

Forward Ryan Kendall has also made an exit and joined former club North Ferriby United. Town have replaced the pair with Worksop Town defender Luke Shiels and former Leeds United winger Seb Carole.

Weaver dropped Killock from his starting line-up following the 5-0 victory at home to Brackley last month and he was only used as a late substitute in the win against Stockport County.

He left before Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at lowly Gloucester City to join the West Yorkshire side – who needed cover for injured defender Danny Hall.

Weaver revealed another Yorkshire club had an enquiry for Killock turned down earlier this season, but the defender opted to join last year’s play-off losers after a discussion with the manager.

Weaver said: “It would have been unfair to hold him back. There’s certainly no grudges. We love Shane as a person and it would have been wrong not to tell him of an approach.”

Killock has made 95 appearances for Town since signing from AFC Telford in 2012, with only two of those from the substitutes’ bench.

And Weaver challenged the defender to hit form and earn his place back in the Town squad in the new year.

Weaver said: “There is no talk of it being made permanent. In two month’s time their lads might come back fit and Killock might be on form and I might think there’s no way I’m letting him go permanently.

“I told Shane ‘I am not forcing you out. This is a decision I am more than happy for you to take. It’s a good thing to get regular games’.

“He’s at the right age. The next few years should be his best years. The challenge is there for Shane to prove himself.”

Kendall’s return to the east coast came after Weaver left him out of his squad to travel south to Gloucester.

The striker failed to register a goal in his nine appearances in a Town shirt and fell behind James Walshaw, Jake Speight and Louie Swain in the club’s pecking order.

Despite the striker tweeting after his move that he “can’t wait to be enjoying my football again”, Weaver insisted there was no fall out between the pair.

He said: “I can only comment on what he has said to us. He loved training, and being around the lads but he wanted to play.

“There was certainly no fall out, he worked hard when he was here.

“Again, there was no gun to the head. I just don’t think he settled on the pitch.”
Asked if he thought there has been too much transfer activity during his five year reign, Weaver added: “I am a young manager, I am searching for players that are totally dedicated to Harrogate Town and total improvement.

“If someone is not settled, do you be stubborn about it and say ‘no you’re staying’ or do we say, there’s more money in the kitty if we let him go?

“It is just about being honest and sometimes honesty hurts.”