:Neil Harris (footballer, born 1977)

Harris was born in Orsett, Essex, and educated at Brentwood School. Prior to beginning his professional football career he worked in The City as an insurance underwriter.{{Cite web |date=19 April 1999 |title=Soccer: Harris's heartbreak |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5531029.soccer-harriss-heartbreak/ |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=Daily Gazette |language=en}}

One of his earliest clubs was Maldon Town but his real football career began when he signed for Cambridge City for £5,000. In December 1997 he had a trial at Liverpool,{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-this-weeks-transfers-1288569.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-this-weeks-transfers-1288569.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: This Week's Transfers |publisher=Independent |date=13 December 1997 |access-date=3 May 2017}} however this didn't lead to a transfer. He was later sold to Millwall for a fee of £30,000 on 25 March 1998, with the potential to rise to £100,000 based on performance. In his first full season, he was named player of the year for Millwall, scored in their defeat in the 1999 Football League Trophy final and later helped them to a Second Division championship in 2000–01. With 27 goals, Harris was the Golden Boot winner for being the top English goal scorer during the 2000–01 season, earning him the nickname of "Bomber", in reference to Arthur Travers Harris. Neil Harris was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2001, but after receiving intensive treatment including surgery, he was given the all clear a year later. As a consequence he set up a cancer charity, the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/millwall/1668736.stm "Harris launches cancer appeal"], BBC Sport, 22 November 2001 By the end of his first spell at Millwall, Harris was not being played because the then player-manager Dennis Wise did not believe he was up to par, and that led him to sign for Cardiff City on loan to prove he was good enough for first team football at Millwall.

Harris made his debut for Cardiff City when he replaced Cameron Jerome during a 3–1 win over Gillingham and, after one more substitute appearance, was handed his first and only start for Cardiff when manager Lennie Lawrence named him to play against Sheffield United and he repaid the faith shown in him by scoring Cardiff's only goal of the game in a 2–1 defeat.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4087895.stm |title=Sheff Utd 2–1 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2004 |access-date=28 December 2009}}

Cardiff City and Harris could not agree terms and he was subsequently sold to Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee after they were relegated to Football League One in the 2004–05 season.

Harris was unable to make an impact at the City Ground so was loaned out to Gillingham{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/g/gillingham/4192570.stm |title=Harris joins Gillingham on loan |date=28 August 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=15 April 2020}} who had also been relegated to League One at the same time as Nottingham Forest. He scored six goals for Gillingham during his season long loan spell, at the end of which he returned to Forest.

Harris was hoping to make an impact under new manager Colin Calderwood. Harris's old club Millwall made a loan deal for him on a six-month deal in August 2006, however Harris rejected the offer saying if he were to move it would have to be on a permanent basis, and with Darren Byfield and Ben May set to return from injury for Millwall, Harris believed he would have once again been forced out the side, which was the reason he left The Den in the first instance. Millwall therefore, withdrew from transfer negotiations.

Harris finally opened his goal-scoring account for Forest on 2 September 2006, after 21 months of waiting in a 4–0 victory against Chesterfield.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/5288444.stm |title=Nottm Forest 4–0 Chesterfield |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 September 2006 |access-date=28 December 2009}} It was a cutely struck volley from a few yards out. His and his teammates' joy was clear to see in his celebration, as he ran towards the corner of the stadium and did not look as though he would stop, until his teammates caught up. In the post match report, he admitted he was finally enjoying life at Nottingham Forest. Nonetheless, a certain contingent of the Forest fans still criticised Harris for his relatively poor scoring record and somewhat poor performance record.

In January 2007 Harris' contract was terminated by mutual consent.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

Harris re-signed with Millwall on an 18-month contract on 8 January 2007, less than 24 hours after leaving Forest. Speaking to BBC Sport the next day Harris stated, "There is something special about this club, it brings out the best in me as a player and a person. It feels like home, it always has done. I can't wait to get started."

On 20 January 2007, in his second game for Millwall, Harris made club history by scoring in the 16th minute of the 4–0 win over Rotherham to become Millwall's top league goal scorer with 94 goals, surpassing the previous club record of 93 goals he had jointly held with Teddy Sheringham. Harris informed the South London Press, on 23 January, that it was his intention to surpass Sheringham's 111 goal total for Millwall, stating: "There is no question of me relaxing after one goal. At last I can say, without putting too much pressure on myself, that I want Teddy's overall record. The thing I've always wanted is to be number one, and that means getting a total of 112."{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}}

File:Ian Tomlinson just before he was struck.JPG wearing a "Neil Harris all-time leading goal scorer" T-shirt over a Millwall top, shortly before his death during the 2009 G-20 summit protests.]]

Towards the end of the 2007–08 season, as the club were mired in a relegation battle, Millwall boss Kenny Jackett told Harris that his contract would not be renewed in the summer as he was not in his first team plans for the following season; younger players such as Lewis Grabban, Gary Alexander, Bas Savage and Marc Laird had pushed him down the pecking order. Harris responded by stating that he had no intention of leaving the club he loved in its hour of need. Jackett brought Harris back into the first team squad on 15 March 2008, due to an injury to Gary Alexander that kept him out for the remainder of the season. Harris was instrumental in securing Millwall's League One status, scoring one goal and turning provider for the other two in Millwall's 3–0 home win over Carlisle United on 26 April. After a strong set of performances, the 30-year-old striker had managed to change Kenny Jackett's mind and was offered a new one-year contract on 6 May. Harris stated: "The club have made me a new offer which has pleased me professionally, because it shows that I have done enough to change the manager's mind. That makes me very happy."{{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} Harris signed a new one-year contract with The Lions on 4 June 2008.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/millwall/7433026.stm |title=Harris signs new Lions contract |date=4 June 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}}

On 13 January 2009, Harris broke Teddy Sheringham's all time goal scoring record for Millwall during the 3–2 away win against Crewe Alexandra with his 112th goal for the club.{{cite news | title = Neil Harris breaks Teddy Sheringham's Mllwall record | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/4231012/Neil-Harris-breaks-Teddy-Sheringhams-Mllwall-record.html | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | access-date = 8 September 2010 | location=London | date=13 January 2009}} On 4 April, Harris signed a new one-year extension to his contract.

On 9 May 2009, Harris scored a vital 71st-minute goal in the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Leeds United to put them 1–0 up going into the second leg at Elland Road.

On 11 August 2009, Harris scored a hattrick in a first round League Cup tie at home to AFC Bournemouth.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8188065.stm |title=Millwall 4 – 0 Bournemouth |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2009 |access-date=14 August 2009}} Neil also scored the opening goal in the 3–1 extra time defeat to West Ham in the next round of the League Cup.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8205836.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=West Ham 3–1 Millwall (aet) | date=25 August 2009 | access-date=20 May 2010}}

Harris scored once in the 3–1 victory over Huddersfield Town,{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8248452.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Millwall 3–1 Huddersfield | date=19 September 2009 | access-date=20 May 2010}} and also netted a hat-trick in the 4–0 away win at Stockport County.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8295523.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Stockport 0–4 Millwall | date=17 October 2009 | access-date=20 May 2010}}

Harris suffered minor injuries during the latter part of the autumn 2009, but was in form again in January.

On 28 January 2010, Harris prolonged his contract with Millwall until 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~1947770,00.html |title=New deals for duo |date=28 January 2010 |publisher= Millwall FC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324143844/http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10367~1947770%2C00.html |archive-date=24 March 2012 }}

On 9 June 2011, Harris agreed a three-year deal with Southend United. He had a year to run on his deal with Millwall but manager, Kenny Jacket agreed to cancel the striker's contract by mutual consent allowing him to sign for his hometown club on a free transfer.{{cite web |url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~2373881,00.html |title=Southend Land Harris |date=9 June 2011 |work=Southend United F. C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613030000/http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10444~2373881%2C00.html |archive-date=13 June 2011 }} He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win at Rotherham United on 24 September 2011.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14958019.stm |title=Rotherham 0 – 4 Southend |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 September 2011 |access-date=26 September 2011}} Harris retired on 21 June 2013 after failing to recover from an injury.{{cite news|title=Neil Harris: Southend United and ex-Millwall striker retires|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23009190|work=BBC Sport|access-date=21 June 2013}}{{cite web|title=Neil Harris retires from football|url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/210613-neil-harris-retires-876142.aspx|work=Southend United F.C.|access-date=21 June 2013}}

In the infancy of the 2014–15 season, Harris played three times for Essex Olympian League side Rayleigh Town.{{cite news|title=Former Southend United striker Neil Harris scores for Rayleigh Town in cameo appearance|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/11460950.former-southend-united-striker-neil-harris-scores-for-rayleigh-town-in-cameo-appearance/|work=Basildon Echo|date=9 September 2014|access-date=27 May 2014}}{{cite web|title=Neil Harris Player Stats|url=https://fulltime.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort=&teamID=&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=3&personID=135954237&selectedSeasonID=298823772|publisher=Full Time FA|access-date=27 May 2024}}

Before taking over as permanent manager in the summer of 2015, Harris had several stints as caretaker manager.

First, he became caretaker manager, along with Scott Fitzgerald, taking over from the sacked Steve Lomas, on 26 December 2013, in which time they played 3 games, drawing one and losing twice, including a 4–1 away loss to Southend United in the FA Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25531907|title=Southend United 4–1 Millwall|work=BBC Sport |access-date=10 March 2016}} The couple were then replaced by Ian Holloway on 7 January 2014.

Harris then again took over as caretaker boss on 10 March 2015, when Holloway was sacked.{{cite news |last1=Burrows |first1=Josh |title=Millwall sack Ian Holloway and appoint Neil Harris as caretaker manager |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/millwall-sack-ian-holloway-and-appoint-neil-harris-as-caretaker-manager-lb7h2fht8k0 |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=The Times |date=10 March 2015}} By the time Harris took over, Millwall were already virtually, whilst not mathematically, relegated, however Harris went on to win 2 and draw 4 of his 9 games in charge, almost keeping the Lions in the Championship. On 28 April, the Lions were officially relegated to League One following Rotherham United's 2–1 win against Reading,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32390916|title=Rotherham United 2–1 Reading|work=BBC Sport |access-date=10 March 2016}} however, Harris was confirmed as Millwall's permanent manager less than 24 hours later,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32517166|title=Millwall: Neil Harris named manager of relegated club|work=BBC Sport|access-date=10 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/article/neil-harris-appointed-millwall-manager-2430301.aspx |title=Neil Harris appointed Millwall manager |website=Millwallfc.co.uk |date=29 April 2015 |access-date=3 April 2017}} with his assistant being his 2004 FA Cup final teammate, David Livermore.

In his first full season as manager Harris led Millwall to the League One play-off final against Barnsley at Wembley after finishing 4th in the League One table and overcoming Bradford City 4–2 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals. The Lions lost the play-off final 3–1 to Barnsley.

In 2016–17 season Harris again led Millwall to Wembley after they finished 6th in the League One table and overcame Scunthorpe United 3–2 in the play-off semi-finals. Millwall won the play-off final against Bradford City 1–0 to win promotion to the Championship. He also led Millwall to the FA Cup quarter-finals after knocking out three Premier League teams Bournemouth, Watford and Premier League Champions Leicester City before losing 6–0 against Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals.

On 3 October 2019, Harris resigned as manager of Millwall.{{cite news |title=Club Statement – Neil Harris |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2019/october/club-statement---neil-harris/ |access-date=3 October 2019 |work=Millwall Football Club |date=3 October 2019}}

On 16 November 2019, Harris was appointed manager of Championship side Cardiff City.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50440160 |title=Neil Harris: Ex-Millwall boss appointed new Cardiff City manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 November 2019 |access-date=16 November 2019}} In his first season, he finished 5th in the league taking Cardiff to the play-off semi-finals against Fulham.

On 21 January 2021, Harris was sacked from Cardiff City.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55484329|title=Cardiff sack manager Harris|work=BBC Sport}} The Bluebirds had initially only won three of their opening 13 fixtures of the season, inviting pressure on Harris. Despite later securing a 4-match winning streak, a run 6 straight defeats afterwards sealed his fate as manager.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/cardiff-city-sack-neil-harris-championship-b1790761.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/cardiff-city-sack-neil-harris-championship-b1790761.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Cardiff City sack manager Neil Harris after six-game losing streak|website=Independent.co.uk |date=21 January 2021}}

On 31 January 2022, Harris was appointed as manager of League One side Gillingham, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Kent side.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60201279 |title=Neil Harris: Gillingham appoint former Millwall and Cardiff City boss as new manager|publisher=www.bbc.co.uk/sport|date=31 January 2022 |access-date=31 January 2022}} His first season ended in relegation to League Two.{{Cite web |title=Gills appoint Neil Harris as first-team manager |url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2022/january/gills-appoint-harris-as-new-manager/ |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com |language=en-gb}} After receiving a red card in the penultimate game of the 2021–22 season against Portsmouth, Harris was given a touchline ban that would see him miss the first match of the club's first League Two season in ten years as well as receiving a £1,000 fine. {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61332505|title=Neil Harris: Gillingham boss gets touchline ban and fine after red card|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 May 2022|accessdate=6 May 2022}}

In the 2022–23 season Harris steered Gillingham to the fourth round of the EFL Cup for only the third time in the club's history. The Gills defeated Premier League side Brentford on penalties in the third round, before succumbing to another top tier side in Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–0 in the following round.{{Cite news |last=Poole |first=Harry |date=8 November 2022 |title=Brentford stunned by League Two Gillingham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63466355 |access-date=21 December 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Emma |date=20 November 2022 |title=Winning start for Lopetegui as Wolves beat Gillingham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63953189 |access-date=21 December 2022}} He was dismissed from the role in October 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67018806|title=Neil Harris: Gillingham sack manager after three-match winless run|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 October 2023|accessdate=5 October 2023}}

On 6 December 2023, Harris was appointed head coach of League One club Cambridge United on an 18-month contract. {{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/2023/december/neil-harris-cambridge-united-head-coach-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league-wednesday-6-december-2023/|title=Neil Harris appointed Head Coach|website=www.cambridgeunited.com|date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023}}

On 21 February 2024, Harris returned to Millwall as head coach on an 18-month contract. The Lions were then 21st in the Championship, one point above the relegation zone. {{cite web|url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2024/february/21/millwall-confirm-neil-harris-as-new-head-coach/|title=Millwall confirm Neil Harris as new Head Coach|website=www.millwallfc.co.uk|date=21 February 2024|accessdate=21 February 2024}} Under Harris' stewardship, the club recorded 26 points from 13 games to finish 13th in the table, concluding the season with a 1-0 away victory at Swansea City, which formed part of a five-game winning streak.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4n106r775zt|title=Swansea City 0-1 Millwall|work=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2024}} On 10 December 2024, with Millwall 11th in the Championship, Harris said he would be leaving the club following the side's match at Middlesbrough on 14 December 2024.{{cite news |title=Millwall head coach Harris to leave club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5y4mgp8360o |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 December 2024}}

On 19 February 2025, Harris returned to League One bottom side Cambridge United as head coach. {{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/neil-harris-appointed-head-coach-mark-bonner-appointed-director-football|title=Neil Harris appointed Head Coach, Mark Bonner appointed Director of Football|website=www.cambridgeunited.com|date=19 February 2025|accessdate=19 February 2025}}

Source:{{ENFA}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}

Millwall

• Football League Second Division: 2000–01
• Football League One play-offs: 2010{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8701538.stm |title=Millwall 1–0 Swindon |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2010 |access-date=28 May 2018}}
• FA Cup runner-up: 2003–04{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/CupFinalResults/2004ManUnitedMillwall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530135502/http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/CupFinalResults/2004ManUnitedMillwall|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-05-30|title=Glory Glory Man United|website=The FA|date=22 May 2004|accessdate=29 May 2021}}
• Football League Trophy runner-up: 1998–99

Individual

• Football League One Player of the Month: February 2010{{Cite book |title=The Official Football Yearbook of the English and Scottish Leagues 2010-2011 |publisher=A&C Black Publishers |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-408-12915-9 |editor-last=McDermott |editor-first=Andrew |location=London |pages=24}}
• Millwall Player of the Season: 1999–2000{{Cite web |title=Vote for Millwall striker Lee Gregory! |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2016/may/vote-for-millwall-striker-lee-gregory/ |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=www.millwallfc.co.uk}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 2000–01 Second Division{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1304001.stm |title=Teams of the year |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2001 |access-date=27 May 2018}}

Millwall

• EFL League One play-offs: 2017{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39905619 |title=Bradford City 0–1 Millwall |first=Josh |last=Hunt |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2017 |access-date=27 May 2018}}

Individual

• EFL League One Manager of the Month: February 2017{{Cite web |title=Neil Harris named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2017/march/neil-harris-named-sky-bet-league-one-manager-of-the-month/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=www.efl.com}}

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• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Cambridge United F.C. squad}}

{{EFL League One managers}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Neil}}

Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Orsett

Category:Footballers from Essex

Category:English men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Maldon & Tiptree F.C. players

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