Mike Harrison (footballer, born 1952)

Michael Harrison (born 21 December 1952) is an English former professional footballer who made 19 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham City and Southend United.[1] He played as a centre half.

Mike Harrison
Personal information
Full name Michael Harrison
Date of birth (1952-12-21) 21 December 1952 (age 71)
Place of birth Leicester, England
Position(s) Centre half
Youth career
1968–1970 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–1972 Birmingham City 3 (0)
1972–1973 Southend United 16 (0)
1973–1979 Yeovil Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Harrison was born in Leicester, Leicestershire. When he left school in 1968 he joined Birmingham City as an apprentice, turning professional two years later. He captained Birmingham's youth team,[2] and made his debut as an 18-year-old, deputising for Dave Robinson in a 4–1 win at Leicester City on 16 January 1971.[3] He kept his place for the next game in the absence of Roger Hynd, and played once more the following season in place of Stan Harland. In the 1972 close season Harrison joined Southend United, where he spent one season and played 18 games in all competitions.[4]

His next club was Yeovil Town of the Southern League. In the 1974–75 season, his second with the club, Harrison was named Player of the Year.[5] The following season, under player-manager Stan Harland whom Harrison had understudied at Birmingham, the club achieved a "runners-up double" in the Southern League and the Southern League Cup,[6] success which prompted invitation into the 1976–77 Anglo-Italian Semiprofessional Tournament, to play against Italian Serie C teams. Harrison was again named Player of the Season.[7] In all competitions, he made 304 appearances for Yeovil Town over a six-year career.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Mike Harrison". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  2. ^ Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
  3. ^ Matthews, p. 225.
  4. ^ "Mike Harrison". Southend United Database. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  5. ^ "Season 1974–75: Cec Irwin's Contract Not Renewed". Ciderspace. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Season 1975–76". Ciderspace. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  7. ^ "yeovil in europe - the anglo-italian competition 1977". YTFC.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  8. ^ "All Time Top Appearances". Ciderspace. Retrieved 27 March 2009.