'Ultimate professional' George Thomson seizes his Wembley moment as Harrogate Town seal promotion

George Thomson celebrates after putting Harrogate Town 1-0 up against Notts County in the play-off final at Wembley. Pictures: Getty Images

A little over half an hour later, the 28-year-old right-winger had scored one and set-up another, paving the way for a 3-1 victory over Notts County and promotion to League Two.

Thomson’s efforts were by no means the sole reason for Town’s success on the day, though his contribution certainly cannot be underestimated.

It was very much a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man and a good player delivering on the big stage - just as his manager sensed he was ready to do.

George Thomson, Josh Falkingham and Ryan Fallowfield with the play-off winners' trophy.

“He’s just a touch of class. I said to him before the game ‘it’s your time, Thommo’,” Weaver revealed.

“He’s been purring, he’s got that velvet touch, and the awareness coming out of tight areas.

“He has just really grown as a player and in belief and he’s probably secure in the knowledge that he’s going to play.

“He’s top of the fitness group, he’s amazingly fit but also has that ability to go and get the ball and today he’s done the business.” 

The odds on Thomson emerging as Harrogate’s Wembley hero would have been pretty long at the start of 2019/20.

Struggling at the wrong end of the table during the opening weeks of the campaign, Town seemed more likely to be battling for survival than promotion, and the former FC United of Manchester attacker couldn’t even make it as far as the substitutes’ bench.

Once he did win his place back he made an instant impression with a match-winning assist at FC Halifax Town in late September, followed by a goal against Sutton United four days later.

An untimely injury then saw Thomson sidelined for a spell, however since returning to full-fitness he has gone from strength-to-strength, weighing-in with six strikes and nine assists in 16 starts.

“He deserves this because he is a player who is a brilliant example of how to handle the disappointment of not being in the team,” Weaver added.

"He could have gone out on loan but he turned it down and said ‘no, this is my club, this is what I want, I’m going to dig in, get better, get back in the team and take my chance.

“He’s the ultimate professional.”