A former Leeds United star and Championship top scorer has joined Knaresborough Town - with the club hoping his arrival can help take them to the 'next level'.
Ross McCormack has signed for Knaresborough Town for the 2026/27 season, bringing a remarkable CV to the club.
The striker scored 53 Championship goals in 144 appearances for Leeds between 2010 and 2014, including 28 goals in the 2013/14 season when he finished as the division's top scorer.
He later scored 38 goals in 89 appearances for Fulham and also played for Aston Villa and Rangers, while winning 13 caps for Scotland.
McCormack says his move to Knaresborough came about through his connections with former Leeds colleagues.
He recently returned to playing football with Giffnock North in Glasgow before being approached by Knaresborough joint managing director Neil Reaney.
McCormack said:
“I just want to get started really. I’m here to help both on the pitch and off the pitch. Essentially, the full focus is on helping them on the pitch.”
The 40-year-old says he is now in a different physical position to previous attempts to return to football at a lower level.
He said:
“I’ve been to a couple of teams in the past, but I’ve never really had a chance of playing because I wasn’t fit enough. But it’s different now.”
And McCormack says he has no problem adapting to life outside the professional game.
He said:
“When you’ve played at a high level and you drop down the levels, you’ve got to leave your ego at the door.
“I don’t really have an ego. I’m pretty humble. I’ll speak about football with anyone, but I’ll never boast and think that I’m above anyone.
“I think that’s why I can walk into changing rooms down in lower levels and get on with everyone in the squad.”
The move also has a local connection for McCormack, whose oldest son was born in Harrogate.
He says he drove from Harrogate to Knaresborough when he came to meet the club - even passing the hospital where his son was born.
He said:
“It brought back some good memories.
“But now I’m happy to be here. I just want to get started really.”
Knaresborough Town joint managing director Neil Reaney, who knows McCormack from their Leeds United connections, believes the signing could prove significant for the club.
He said:
“Obviously Ross coming in will hopefully propel this club to the next level.
“That’s what we’re hoping for. Ross looks fit. He’s ready to go. He’s raring, chomping at the bit to get started and we’re looking forward to having him down here.”
Reaney also hopes McCormack's arrival will put Knaresborough Town firmly on the radar of more people across the area.
He said:
“There’s a lot of Leeds United fans around the area.
“If you get a glimpse of Ross playing for the local team, then hopefully that brings more eyes to the club.”
The signing also forms part of wider ambitions at Knaresborough Town, with the club looking to develop its facilities and grow its profile within the community.
Plans include a new 3G pitch, new dressing rooms, an upstairs lounge and new floodlights.
Reaney says McCormack can play an important role in helping the current squad, which contains a mixture of experienced and younger players.
He said:
“If Ross can help guide those lads and propel that team a little bit further up the table and maybe into the next league above, then all the better for it."
LISTEN: Your Harrogate's Pete Egerton chats to Neil Reaney of Knaresborough Town about the signing of Ross McCormack:
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