Harry Forrester (footballer)
{{short description|Retired English footballer (born 1991)}}
{{Other people|Harry Forrester}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Harry Forrester
| image = Tractor Sazi and Esteghlal match (cropped).jpg
| caption = Forrester with Tractor in 2018
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|1|2|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3269/Harry-Forrester/overview |title=Harry Forrester: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=1 April 2022}}
| birth_place = Milton Keynes, England
| height = {{convert|1.79|m|order=flip}}
| position = Attacking midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = –2000
| youthclubs1 = Northampton Town
| youthyears2 = 2000–2007
| youthclubs2 = Watford
| youthyears3 = 2007–2010
| youthclubs3 = Aston Villa
| years1 = 2010–2011
| clubs1 = Aston Villa
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2010–2011
| clubs2 = → Kilmarnock (loan)
| caps2 = 10
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2011–2013
| clubs3 = Brentford
| caps3 = 55
| goals3 = 8
| years4 = 2013–2016
| clubs4 = Doncaster Rovers
| caps4 = 54
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2016–2018
| clubs5 = Rangers
| caps5 = 32
| goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2017–2018
| clubs6 = → AFC Wimbledon (loan)
| caps6 = 36
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2018–2019
| clubs7 = Tractor
| caps7 = 2
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2018–2019
| clubs8 = → Machine Sazi (loan)
| caps8 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2019–2020
| clubs9 = Orange County SC
| caps9 = 35
| goals9 = 3
| years10 = 2022
| clubs10 = Los Angeles Force
| caps10 = 4
| goals10 = 0
| totalcaps = 228
| totalgoals = 29
| nationalyears1 = 2006–2007
| nationalteam1 = England U16
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2007–2008
| nationalteam2 = England U17
| nationalcaps2 = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 23:30, 6 February 2021 (UTC)
}}
Harry Lee Forrester (born 2 January 1991) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as a attacking midfielder.
Although primarily an attacking midfielder, he was deployed in a number of positions including on the left wing. He came through the youth teams of Watford and Aston Villa and would later play in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers and Kilmarnock in the Football League for Brentford, Doncaster Rovers and AFC Wimbledon. He spent the final five years of his career playing in Iran and the United States for Tractor, Machine Sazi, Orange County SC and Los Angeles Force.
He was capped at youth level at England U16 and U17 level with a combined 9 caps. He now resides in California and runs a soccer academy.
Club career
=Watford=
In 2000, Forrester joined Watford from Northampton Town. As Forrester was only ten years old, Watford paid Northampton £13,000 in compensation.
=Aston Villa=
In summer 2007, Aston Villa signed Forrester from Watford, despite reported interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United for the highly rated teen.{{ cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/6290810.stm | title=Watford youngster signs for Villa | publisher=BBC Sport | work=BBC |date=11 July 2007 }} A transfer tribunal ruled in December 2007, on the compensation due to Watford as Forrester was only 16-years-old at the time he signed for Villa. An initial fee of £250,000 was set which could have potentially risen to £1.2 million as well as a percentage of the sell-on fee.{{ cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7155357.stm | title=Tribunal rules on Forrester move | publisher=BBC Sport | work=BBC |date=21 December 2007 }} After joining, he immediately helped Villa's under-18 team to FA Premier Academy League glory in the 2007–08 season. He also started for Villa's reserve team who in the 2009–10 season, won the Reserve League South title for a third consecutive time. However, he was an unused sub as Villa went on to lose the Play-off Final against Manchester United, champions of the Reserve League North. He was released by Villa in May 2011 after his contract expired.{{cite web |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2368005,00.html |title=Farewell to Reo-Coker and Carew as released list announced |date=27 May 2011 |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=27 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527212512/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10265~2368005%2C00.html |archive-date=27 May 2011 }}
==Kilmarnock (loan)==
In August 2010, Forrester signed on loan with Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/8947197.stm |title=Kilmarnock capture Aston Villa striker on loan |date=26 August 2010 |work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC |access-date=26 August 2010}} He made his Scottish Premier League debut in the 2–1 win against St Mirren on 11 September.{{Soccerbase season|id=56261|season=2010|access-date=12 September 2018}} Forrester claimed his first assist in a 2–1 loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 23 October, crossing to Rui Miguel who scored with a header. He played a total of eight games in all competitions for Kilmarnock, before returning to Aston Villa in January 2011.
=Brentford=
Despite being released by Aston Villa, there was still much speculation surrounding Forrester's future, with reported interest from Championship side Barnsley and Dutch champions Ajax.{{cite news| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6899349,00.html |title=Tykes target Villa youngster |date=26 April 2011 |publisher=Sky Sports}}{{cite news| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_6941894,00.html |title=Ajax eye ex-Villa starlet |date=20 May 2011 |publisher=Sky Sports}} Forrester later joined up with the latter on trial, playing with their reserve side Jong Ajax, and received praise from manager Frank de Boer.{{cite news| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_7057882,00.html |title=Forrester on brink of Ajax deal |date=23 July 2011 |publisher=Sky Sports}} He scored a hat-trick for Jong Ajax in a 5–2 pre-season victory over VV GOES on 27 July 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.vvgoes.nl/goes-wint-in-tweede-helft-jong-ajax |title=Goes 'wint' in tweede helft Jong Ajax |language=nl |trans-title=Goes 'beats' Young Ajax in second half |publisher=VV GOES |date=27 July 2011 |access-date=31 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908181642/http://www.vvgoes.nl/goes-wint-in-tweede-helft-jong-ajax |archive-date=8 September 2014}}
Forrester then decided to turn down a move to Ajax to join League One club Brentford, managed by Uwe Rösler, on 4 August 2011 on a two-year contract.{{cite news|title=Brentford sign Ajax target Harry Forrester|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/9556292.stm|publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2011|access-date=4 August 2011 }} He made his Bees debut as an injury time substitute in the 2–1 win at Exeter City on 16 August 2011. On 30 August, he started his first game for Brentford in a 3–3 draw against Milton Keynes Dons in the first round of the Football League Trophy before being replaced by Sam Wood after 78 minutes. On 27 January 2013, Forrester earned his side a 2–2 draw and a replay against Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup by converting a penalty won by Tom Adeyemi in the 73rd minute.{{ cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21106912 | title=Brentford 2–2 Chelsea |publisher=BBC |work=BBC Sport|date=27 January 2013 |first=Phil |last=McNulty}}
=Doncaster Rovers=
On 30 June 2013, Forrester left Brentford after his contract expired, opting instead to sign for newly promoted Championship club Doncaster Rovers.{{cite web|title=Doncaster Rovers: Harry Forrester moves to Keepmoat|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23144554|publisher=BBC Sport|work=BBC|date=3 July 2013}} On 4 January 2014, Forrester scored his first goal for Rovers in an FA Cup third round defeat at home to Stevenage. A series of injuries restricted Forrester to just 9 appearances (seven in the League) during the 2013–14 season, of which just three were starts.
On 8 August 2015, Forrester scored a controversial goal for Rovers against Bury on the opening day of the 2015–16 season, in injury-time, after the referee ordered the ball to be passed back to the Bury keeper to restart play, Forrester accidentally volleyed the ball into Bury's goal. Doncaster manager Paul Dickov ordered his team to let Bury score an equaliser from the restart of play with Bury striker Leon Clarke allowed to walk the ball into the Doncaster goal to level the match at 1–1.{{cite web|title=Doncaster Rovers: Harry Forrester wants quiet life after controversial goal|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/doncaster-rovers-harry-forrester-wants-quiet-life-after-controversial-goal-1-7402714|work=The Star|access-date=11 August 2015}}
=Rangers=
On 31 December 2015, Forrester signed for Rangers on an initial six-month deal.{{Cite news|title = Gers Confirm Forrester Signing|url = http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/gers-confirm-forrester-signing/|publisher = Rangers Football Club|work = Rangers.co.uk|date = 31 December 2015|access-date = 31 December 2015|archive-date = 31 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151231201517/http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/gers-confirm-forrester-signing/|url-status = dead}} Forrester said that it was a privilege to join 'one of the biggest teams in Europe' and that he wanted to stay longer than his initial six-month deal.{{Cite news|title = Forrester: Privileged To Be Here|url = http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/forrester-privileged-to-be-here/|first=Nick |last=Thomson|publisher=Rangers Football Club|work=Rangers.co.uk|access-date = 4 January 2016}} Harry also said that he wanted to develop further as a player by learning from the more experienced players at the club, for example Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller.{{Cite news|title = Experienced Boys Can Help Me|url = http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/experienced-boys-can-help/|first=Nick |last=Thomson|publisher=Rangers Football Club|work=Rangers.co.uk|access-date = 4 January 2016}} Forrester made his debut for Rangers on 10 January 2016 in a 5–1 win over Cowdenbeath in the Scottish Cup. On 27 February, Forrester scored his first goal for the club, netting the winner with four minutes remaining in a 1–0 league victory over St Mirren after coming on as a substitute. On 10 April while playing in the 2016 Scottish Challenge Cup Final against Peterhead, Forrester was substituted because of injury and limped off the park, it was revealed later he had suffered a hairline fracture which ultimately ended his season. However, two days later, on 12 April, he signed a new three-year contract with Rangers.{{Cite news|title = Forrester Signs New Contract|url = http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/forrester-signs-new-contract/|publisher= Rangers Football Club|work=Rangers.co.uk|access-date = 12 April 2016}} On 13 June 2017, Forrester was told to stay away from training and to find a new club by Pedro Caixinha.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-boss-pedro-caixinha-gets-10619268|title=Pedro Caixinha gets tough as he warns Harry Forrester to stay away from training|first=Keith|last=Jackson|date=14 June 2017|work=Daily Record}}
=Tractor=
In July 2018, Forrester's contract with Rangers was cancelled by mutual consent and he joined Iranian club Tractor, signing a two-year contract.{{Cite web | title = Harry Forrester seals Tractor deal after Rangers release | work = Daily Record | date = 19 July 2018 | access-date = 19 July 2018 | url = https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/harry-forrester-seals-tractor-sazi-12944697}}
On 30 August 2018, after two appearances for Tractor, Forrester joined Tabriz rivals Machine Sazi on loan.{{Cite web|url=https://varzesh3.com/news/1550154|title=فورستر به ماشین سازی میرود}}{{Cite web |title=Transfer Deadline Aftermath Live: All the reaction after a busy summer |last=McDougall |first=Mark |work=Daily Record |date=1 September 2018 |access-date=8 September 2018 |url= https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/transfer-deadline-aftermath-live-celtic-13174217 |quote=New club for Forrester}}
=Move to the United States=
On 18 January 2019, it was announced that Forrester was signed by USL Championship side Orange County SC ahead of the 2019 season.{{cite web |title=Orange County SC Signs Former Rangers FC Forward Harry Forrester |url=https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/news_article/show/986342 |website=OrangeCountySC.com |date=18 January 2019 |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174251/https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/news_article/show/986342 |url-status=dead }}
During the 2022 season, Forrester was playing for NISA side Los Angeles Force.{{cite web|url=https://www.losangelesforce.com/roster/harry-forrester-|title=2022 Squad - Los Angeles Force|publisher=Los Angeles Force|accessdate=13 May 2022}}
Coaching career
Forrester announced his retirement in January 2022. Forrester owns and works for football coaching company Prospect Soccer Academy, based in California. The company provides off-season 1-to-1 training for professional players, amongst other facilities.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 26 August 2019}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [https://www.planetfootball.com/in-depth/harry-forrester-from-rejecting-man-utd-and-ajax-to-americas-second-tier/ Harry Forrester Interview]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forrester, Harry}}
Category:Footballers from Milton Keynes
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players
Category:Brentford F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:AFC Wimbledon players
Category:Machine Sazi F.C. players
Category:Orange County SC players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Persian Gulf Pro League players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Iran
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Iran
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Los Angeles Force players