Reg Harrison

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Reg Harrison

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|fullname = Reginald Frederick Harrison

|birth_date = {{birth date|1923|5|22|df=y}}

|birth_place = Normanton, Derby, England

|death_date = {{death date and age|2020|9|17|1923|5|22|df=y}}

|death_place = Alvaston, England

|height =

|position = Right winger

|youthyears1 =

|youthclubs1 = Derby Corinthians

|youthyears2 = 1939–1944

|youthclubs2 = Derby County

|years1 = 1944–1955

|clubs1 = Derby County

|caps1 = 254

|goals1 = 52

|years2 =

|clubs2 = → Sheffield United (war guest)

|caps2 =

|goals2 =

|years3 =

|clubs3 = → Notts County (war guest)

|caps3 =

|goals3 =

|years4 =

|clubs4 = → Charlton Athletic (war guest)

|caps4 =

|goals4 =

|years5 =

|clubs5 = → Hartlepools United (war guest)

|caps5 =

|goals5 =

|years6 = 1955–1957

|clubs6 = Boston United

|caps6 =

|goals6 =

|years7 = 1957–1962

|clubs7 = Long Eaton United

|caps7 =

|goals7 =

|manageryears1 = 1958–1962

|managerclubs1 = Long Eaton United

|manageryears2 =

|managerclubs2 = Wilmorton & Alvaston

|manageryears3 =

|managerclubs3 = Alfreton Town

}}

Reginald Frederick Harrison (22 May 1923 – 17 September 2020) was an English professional footballer who played as a right winger.

Early life

Born in May 1923 in Normanton, Derby, Harrison left school at 14 to train to be a decorator. During World War Two he served with the Royal Engineers, serving as an Army training officer based in England.

Career

After playing non-league football for Derby Corinthians, Harrison signed for Derby County at the age of 16. He signed amateur forms in 1941 and turned professional in 1944, whilst he was also serving in the Army. During the war he guested for Sheffield United, Notts County, Charlton Athletic and Hartlepools United. He scored 52 goals in 254 league appearances for Derby,{{Hugman|8435|accessdate=7 June 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player4/regharrison.html|title=Profile|accessdate=7 June 2017|publisher=Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database}} and 59 goals in 281 games in all competitions. Whilst with Derby, Harrison won the FA Cup in 1946. As of September 2018 he was also the oldest living FA Cup winner.

He left Derby to play for Boston United. He joined Long Eaton United as a player in 1957, becoming player-manager in February 1958, remaining in that position until May 1962. He later also managed Wilmorton & Alvaston and Alfreton Town.{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/longeatonunited/a/the-managers-17175.html?page=3|title=Profile|accessdate=7 June 2017|publisher=Long Eaton United F.C.}}

After retiring as a player, Harrison worked for Derby City Council's Youth Service, and set up a youth centre and football club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2020/09/reg-harrison-rip|title=Reg Harrison RIP|website=www.dcfc.co.uk}}

Personal life

Harrison and his wife celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in March 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/derby-county-fa-cup-winner-reg-harrison-wife-win/story-26183434-detail/story.html|title=Derby County FA Cup-winner Reg Harrison and wife Win celebrate 70 years as a team|date=17 March 2015|accessdate=7 June 2017|publisher=Derby Telegraph}} The couple had two children (including a son who died from leukemia at the age of 7), two granddaughters, and, as of March 2015, one great-grandson. In September 2018 it was proposed by the local council that he would be awarded the Freedom of the City of Derby.{{Cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/rams-last-surviving-fa-cup-2030131|title=Rams last surviving FA Cup winner to be given Freedom of the City|newspaper=Derbyshirelive |date=25 September 2018|via=www.derbytelegraph.co.uk}}

He died at home in Alvaston on 17 September 2020 at the age of 97.{{Cite news|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/legend-fans-pay-tribute-derby-4527435|title='Legend' - Fans pay tribute to Derby County hero Reg Harrison|newspaper=Derbyshirelive |date=18 September 2020|via=www.derbytelegraph.co.uk}} At the time of his death he was the oldest living FA Cup finalist.