Harry Middleton (footballer, born 1995)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Harry Middleton

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Harry Oliver Middleton{{Hugman|26761|accessdate=14 May 2019}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|04|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Doncaster, England{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2017/2018 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2017-2018/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}

| height = {{height|m=1.80}}{{cite web|title = Harry Middleton|url = http://www.11v11.com/players/harry-middleton-239833/|publisher = 11v11|accessdate =16 April 2016}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 2009–2012 | youthclubs1 = Doncaster Rovers

| years1 = 2012–2017 | clubs1 = Doncaster Rovers | caps1 = 63 | goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2017–2018 | clubs2 = Port Vale | caps2 = 6 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2017 | clubs3 = → Halifax Town (loan) | caps3 = 5 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2018 | clubs4 = Alfreton Town | caps4 = 6 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2018–2019 | clubs5 = Gainsborough Trinity | caps5 = 19 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2019–2020 | clubs6 = Cleethorpes Town | caps6 = 14 | goals6 = 1

| years7 = 2020 | clubs7 = Grantham Town | caps7 = 0 | goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2020–2022 | clubs8 = Cleethorpes Town | caps8 = 31 | goals8 = 3

| years9 = 2021 | clubs9 = → Barton Town (dual registration) | caps9 = 5 | goals9 = 0

| totalcaps = 149 | totalgoals = 4

}}

Harry Oliver Middleton (born 12 April 1995) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

He began his career at Doncaster Rovers, making his first-team debut in November 2012. He established himself in the first team in the 2015–16 relegation campaign before helping Rovers to secure promotion out of League Two in 2016–17. He signed with Port Vale in August 2017 and was loaned out to Halifax Town three months later. He signed with Alfreton Town in August 2018 and moved on to Gainsborough Trinity three months later. He joined Cleethorpes Town in December 2019 and also had brief spells with Grantham Town and Barton Town. He became a police officer in 2022.

Career

=Doncaster Rovers=

Middleton began his career at Doncaster Rovers and was part of the Academy team that won the Youth Alliance Cup with a 4–0 win over Exeter City at St James Park in 2012.{{cite news|title=Ball's brace leads Rovers to cup glory|url=http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/ball-s-brace-leads-rovers-to-cup-glory-1-4505037|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=South Yorkshire Times|date=2 May 2012|language=en}} He made his first-team debut in the Football League Trophy area quarter-final match against Crewe Alexandra at the Alexandra Stadium on 4 November 2012; Rovers drew 1–1 and lost the resulting penalty shoot-out.{{cite news|title=Crewe v Doncaster|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20506758|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=4 December 2012}} He was one of six youth team players to be given a one-year professional contract by the club in July 2013.{{cite news|title=Rovers Of The Future|url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2013/july/rovers-of-the-future/|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=doncasterroversfc.co.uk|date=9 July 2013|language=en-gb}}

He made his second first-team appearance on 7 October 2014, in a 3–0 victory at Burton Albion in the League Trophy, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute.{{cite news|title=Burton 0 Doncaster 3|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29421062|accessdate=23 October 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 October 2014}}{{cite news|title=Paul Dickov column: Fast-track system will stand our kids in good stead|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/doncaster-rovers/paul-dickov-column-fast-track-system-will-stand-our-kids-in-good-stead-1-6900376|accessdate=23 October 2014|publisher=Doncaster Free Press|date=17 October 2014}} He made his League One debut on 28 December, coming on for Marc de Val 34 minutes into a 0–0 draw at Peterborough United.{{cite news|title=Peterborough United 0-0 Doncaster Rovers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30566426|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=28 December 2014}} Speaking after the match, manager Paul Dickov said Middleton was close to starting a first-team game and that "he's been slightly unfortunate with the form of Paul Keegan, Richie Wellens, Marc de Val and Dean Furman being ahead of him".{{cite news|last1=Hoden|first1=Liam|title=Doncaster Rovers: Harry Middleton is close to a start says Paul Dickov|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-harry-middleton-is-close-to-a-start-says-paul-dickov-1-7024938|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=Sheffield Star|date=30 December 2014|language=en}} He made his first start for "Donny" on 14 April, in a 0–0 draw at Leyton Orient.{{cite news|title=Leyton Orient 0-1 Doncaster Rovers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32199647|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=14 April 2015}} Coach Rob Jones had also appointed him as captain of the youth team for the 2014–15 season, and Middleton helped the squad to a second-place finish in the final Third Development League, before he signed a new two-year contract in June 2015.{{cite news|title=Middleton in for more|url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2015/june/-middleton-in-for-more/|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=doncasterroversfc.co.uk|date=27 June 2015|language=en-gb}}

He worked with the club's new nutritionist in the 2015–16 pre-season and bulked up significantly as a result.{{cite news|last1=Hodwn|first1=Liam|title=Doncaster Rovers bolster backroom team with two new appointments|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-bolster-backroom-team-with-two-new-appointments-1-7389865|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=Doncaster Free Press|date=3 August 2015|language=en}} He established himself as a first-team regular, making 41 appearances across the campaign, however, Doncaster were relegated into League Two. He signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal in December 2015.{{cite news|title=Doncaster Rovers: Harry Middleton signs new contract until 2019|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-harry-middleton-signs-new-contract-until-2019-1-7630457|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=Doncaster Free Press|date=17 December 2015|language=en}} He made six starts and 19 substitute appearances in League Two in the 2016–17 season as Rovers finished in third-place to secure automatic promotion at the first attempt.{{cite news|last1=Spinks|first1=Martin|title=Port Vale signing wants another promotion after leaving Doncaster|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-new-boy-harry-410533|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=1 September 2017}} However, he was one of five players transfer listed in May 2017.{{cite news|last1=Hoden|first1=Liam|title=Doncaster Rovers: FIVE transfer listed as Darren Ferguson begins re-shaping squad|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-five-transfer-listed-as-darren-ferguson-begins-re-shaping-squad-1-8533236|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=Doncaster Free Press|date=8 May 2017|language=en}} Two months later manager Darren Ferguson said the only enquiries made for Middleton came from Swindon Town, who did not make any formal offer, and he went on to criticise Middleton's agent for failing to find him a move away from the Keepmoat Stadium.{{cite news|last1=Hoden|first1=Liam|title=Doncaster Rovers: Ferguson updates on Harry Middleton future|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-ferguson-updates-on-harry-middleton-future-1-8636480|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=Sheffield Star|date=6 July 2017|language=en}}{{cite news|last1=Hoden|first1=Liam|title=Doncaster Rovers: 'I'm not too sure about how proactive his team have been' - Ferguson gives latest on listed Middleton|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-i-m-not-too-sure-about-how-proactive-his-team-have-been-ferguson-gives-latest-on-listed-middleton-1-8668317|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=Sheffield Star|date=25 July 2017|language=en}}

=Port Vale=

On 31 August 2017, Middleton signed a one-year contract with newly relegated League Two side Port Vale as manager Michael Brown's 19th summer signing.{{cite news|title=Tom Anderson and Harry Middleton join Port Vale|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41111858|accessdate=2 September 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Spinks|first1=Martin|title=Port Vale signing wants another promotion after leaving Doncaster|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-new-boy-harry-410533|accessdate=12 November 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=1 September 2017}} On 11 November 2017, he was allowed to join F.C. Halifax Town on loan, a National League club previously coached by new "Valiants" manager Neil Aspin.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale's Harry Middleton joins FC Halifax Town on loan|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vales-harry-middleton-joins-762813|accessdate=12 November 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=11 November 2017}} Middleton said "I didn't see coming here as a step back. I saw it as a way to kick-start my career".{{cite news|title=FC Halifax Town: Shaymen came highly recommended to Harry by ex-boss Aspin|url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/fc-halifax-town/fc-halifax-town-shaymen-came-highly-recommended-to-harry-by-ex-boss-aspin-1-8858497|accessdate=16 December 2017|work=Halifax Courier|date=17 November 2017|language=en}} He was released upon the expiry of his contract at Vale Park in May 2018.{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Neil Aspin releases 10 players from struggling League Two club|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44045937|accessdate=8 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2018}}

=Non-League=

On 1 August 2018, Middleton signed a one-year contract with National League North side Alfreton Town.{{cite news |title=Alfreton Town FC |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/news/news/Reds-sign-Harry-Middleton-3695.htm |accessdate=1 August 2018 |work=www.alfretontownfc.com |date=1 August 2018}} After three months at North Street, during which time he featured just six times from the bench, he left the "Reds" and joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Gainsborough Trinity.{{cite web |title=Alfreton Town FC |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/news/harry-middleton-leaves-the-club-3798.htm |website=www.alfretontownfc.com |accessdate=19 November 2018}} Trinity manager Lee Sinnott said that "we wanted to supplement what we already have, and he will keep things fresh in the middle of the park".{{cite web |title=Ex-Doncaster Man Boosts Blues {{!}} Gainsborough Trinity Videos |url=http://www.gainsboroughtrinity.com/gainsborough-trinity-videos/ex-doncaster-man-boosts-blues.html |website=www.gainsboroughtrinity.com |accessdate=19 November 2018 |language=en-gb}} The "Holy Blues" ended the 2018–19 season in sixth-place, one point outside the play-offs; Middleton signed a new contract in the summer.{{cite news |title=Midfielder Harry Middleton Earns Deal - Gainsborough Trinity Football Club |url=https://www.gainsboroughtrinity.com/news/team-news/90-harry-middleton-earns-deal |accessdate=29 January 2020 |work=www.gainsboroughtrinity.com |date=20 July 2019}}

On 13 December 2019, Middleton joined Northern Premier League Division One South East club Cleethorpes Town.{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=James |title=Owls add midfielder Middleton - The BetVictor Northern Premier |url=https://www.betvictornorthernpremier.co.uk/owls-add-midfielder-middleton-60195 |accessdate=29 January 2020 |work=www.betvictornorthernpremier.co.uk |date=13 December 2019 |language=en}} He scored his first career goal on 22 February, as he opened the scoring for the "Owls" in a 5–0 victory over Spalding United.{{cite web |title=Saturday 22nd February 2020 |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2019-2020/northern-premier-league-south-east-division/cleethorpes-town/spalding-united/146124 |website=Football Web Pages |accessdate=3 July 2020 |language=en}} The 2019–20 season was abandoned and all results voided due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52098137 |title=Sixty-six non-league clubs send open letter to FA over expunging season |newspaper=BBC Sport |accessdate=30 March 2020}} He signed with Northern Premier League Premier Division side Grantham Town on 7 July 2020, joining his brother Ben.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Matthew |title=Grantham Town bring in brother of current defender |url=https://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/sport/grantham-town-bring-in-brother-of-current-defender-9115431/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Grantham Journal |date=7 July 2020 |language=en}} However, he returned to Cleethorpes by September.{{cite web |title=Harry Middleton - Cleethorpes Town FC First Team |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/cleethorpestown/teams/46369/player/harry-middleton-2485892/66156 |website=www.pitchero.com |access-date=28 May 2022}} He scored two goals in eight games before the 2020–21 season was curtailed due to the ongoing pandemic.{{cite web |title=FA Update On Steps 3-6 |url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/fa-update-on-steps-3-6-65182 |access-date=4 March 2021 |date=24 February 2021}} He joined Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Barton Town on a dual registration deal on 12 November 2021 after "Swans" midfielder Josh Baker underwent surgery on his foot.{{cite news |title=New Signing - Harry Middleton |url=https://bartontownfc.co.uk/2021/11/12/new-signing-harry-middleton/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Barton Town FC |date=12 November 2021}} He played five games for Barton under player-manager Nathan Jarman.{{cite web |title=Statistics |url=http://www.ncefl.org.uk/teams/bartontown/statistics/ |website=www.ncefl.org.uk |access-date=28 May 2022}} He scored one goal from 29 games for Cleethorpes in the 2021–22 campaign. He retired from football in 2022 in order to become an officer with South Yorkshire Police.{{cite news |title=F ootballer swaps bookings for beat in police job |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cle3d44xle0o |access-date=29 November 2022 |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2022}}

Style of play

Middleton described himself as a creative deep-lying midfielder.

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|FA Cup !colspan="2"\|EFL Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="7"\|Doncaster Rovers \|2012–13{{soccerbase season\|67069\|2012\|accessdate=17 July 2017}} \|League One \|0	0	0	0	0	0	1Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy.	0	1	0
2013–14{{soccerbase season\|67069\|2013\|accessdate=17 July 2017}} \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2014–15{{soccerbase season\|67069\|2014\|accessdate=17 July 2017}} \|League One \|4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
2015–16{{soccerbase season\|67069\|2015\|accessdate=17 July 2017}} \|League One \|34	0	3	0	2	0	2	0	41	0
2016–17{{soccerbase season\|67069\|2016\|accessdate=17 July 2017}} \|EFL League Two \|25	0	1	0	1	0	3	0	30	0
2017–18{{soccerbase season\|67069\|2017\|accessdate=31 August 2017}} \|EFL League One \|0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
colspan="2"\|Total !63	0	5	0	3	0	8	0	79	0
Port Vale	2017–18 \|EFL League Two \|6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
F.C. Halifax Town (loan)	2017–18 \|National League \|5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Alfreton Town	2018–19{{Soccerway\|harry-middleton/262814}} \|National League North \|6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
rowspan="3"\|Gainsborough Trinity	2018–19{{cite web \|title=Gainsborough Trinity {{!}} Appearances {{!}} Harry Middleton {{!}} 2018-2019 {{!}} Football Web Pages \|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/gainsborough-trinity/appearances/2018-2019/harry-middleton/564424 \|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk \|accessdate=3 July 2020}}	Northern Premier League Premier Division	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
2019–20{{cite web \|title=Gainsborough Trinity {{!}} Appearances {{!}} Harry Middleton {{!}} Football Web Pages \|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/gainsborough-trinity/appearances/harry-middleton/564424 \|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk \|accessdate=3 July 2020}}	Northern Premier League Premier Division	14	0	3	0	0	0	2Appearance/s in the FA Trophy.	0	19	0
colspan="2"\|Total !19	0	3	0	0	0	2	0	26	0
Cleethorpes Town	2019–20{{cite web \|title=Cleethorpes Town {{!}} Appearances {{!}} Harry Middleton {{!}} Football Web Pages \|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/cleethorpes-town/appearances/harry-middleton/825605 \|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk \|accessdate=3 July 2020}}	Northern Premier League Division One South East	14	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	1
Grantham Town	2020–21{{cite web \|title=Grantham Town {{!}} Appearances {{!}} 2020-2021 {{!}} Football Web Pages \|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/grantham-town/appearances/2020-2021 \|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk \|access-date=28 May 2022}}	Northern Premier League Premier Division	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
rowspan="3"\|Cleethorpes Town	2020–21{{cite web \|title=Cleethorpes Town {{!}} Appearances {{!}} Harry Middleton {{!}} Football Web Pages \|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/cleethorpes-town/appearances/harry-middleton/920234 \|website=www.footballwebpages.co.uk \|accessdate=3 July 2020}}	Northern Premier League Division One South East	7	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	8	2
2021–22	Northern Premier League Division One South East	24	1	4	0	0	0	1	0	29	1
colspan="2"\|Total !31	3	5	0	0	0	1	0	37	3
Barton Town (dual registration)	2021–22	Northern Counties East League Premier Division	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !149	4	13	0	3	0	11	0	176	4