Neil Harris
Encyclopedia
Neil Harris is an English footballer who plays for Southend United
as a striker. He is currently Millwall
's all-time record goalscorer, with 125 league goals and 138 in all competitions. He broke the previous record of 111 goals, held by Teddy Sheringham
, on 13 January 2009, during a 3–2 away win at Crewe Alexandra
. He made 432 appearances for the club.
, Essex
, one of his earliest clubs was Maldon Town
but his real football career began when he signed for Cambridge City
. He was later sold to Millwall
for a fee of £30,000 on 25 March 1998. In his first full season, he was named player of the year for Millwall and later helped them to a Second Division championship in 2000–01 with a remarkable goal scoring record. 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. 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.
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
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 New 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
. It was a cutely struck volley from a few yards out. He and his team mates' 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 team mates 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.
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."
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." Harris signed a new one year contract with The Lions on 4 June 2008.
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. 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 Bournemouth
. Neil also scored the opening goal in the 3–1 extra time defeat to West Ham
in the next round of the League Cup.
Harris scored once in the 3–1 victory over Huddersfield Town
, and also netted a hat-trick in the 4–0 away win at Stockport County
.
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.
. He had a year to run on his deal with Millwall but manager, Kenny Jacket agreed to cancel the strikers contract by mutual consent allowing him to sign for his hometown club on a free transfer. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 win at Rotherham United on 24 September 2011.
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
as a striker. He is currently Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
's all-time record goalscorer, with 125 league goals and 138 in all competitions. He broke the previous record of 111 goals, held by Teddy Sheringham
Teddy Sheringham
Edward Paul "Teddy" Sheringham MBE is a retired English footballer, and the father of footballer Charlie Sheringham. Sheringham played as a striker, and had a successful career at the club level, winning almost every domestic honour available with his clubs, most notably the Treble with Manchester...
, on 13 January 2009, during a 3–2 away win at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
. He made 432 appearances for the club.
Early career and Millwall
Born in OrsettOrsett
Orsett is a village and ecclesiastical parish located within Thurrock unitary district in Essex, England, situated around 5 km north-east of Grays...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, one of his earliest clubs was Maldon Town
Maldon Town F.C.
Maldon & Tiptree F.C. is an English football club based in Maldon, Essex. The club are currently members of Division One North of the Isthmian League and play at the Wallace Binder Ground.-History:...
but his real football career began when he signed for Cambridge City
Cambridge City F.C.
Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:The club was founded in 1908 Cambridge Town F.C., as Cambridge had not been granted city status at that point, and were committed to amateur sport...
. He was later sold to Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
for a fee of £30,000 on 25 March 1998. In his first full season, he was named player of the year for Millwall and later helped them to a Second Division championship in 2000–01 with a remarkable goal scoring record. Harris was the Golden Boot
Golden Boot
A Golden Boot or Golden Shoe is an award, most often in football sports, given to the individual player who scores the most goals in a league or a tournament.These terms may also refer to:In association football...
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
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system.In the United States, between 7,500 and 8,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. In the UK, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of...
in 2001, but after receiving intensive treatment including surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
, he was given the all clear a year later. As a consequence he set up a cancer charity, the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal. By the end of his first spell at Millwall, Harris was not being played because the then player-manager Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
did not believe he was up to par, and that led him to sign for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
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
Cameron Jerome
Cameron Zishan Rana-Jerome is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City as a striker. He also played for Cardiff City in the Football League, and for Birmingham City in the Football League and Premier League, and at international level has several caps for the England under-21 team.-Early...
during a 3–1 win over Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
and, after one more substitute appearance, was handed his first and only start for Cardiff when manager Lennie Lawrence
Lennie Lawrence
Robin Michael Lawrence, commonly known as Lennie Lawrence, is a British football manager who is assistant manager of Crystal Palace. He has managed a number of English clubs and one Welsh club in a coaching career spanning over 30 years...
named him to play against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and he repaid the faith shown in him by scoring Cardiff's only goal of the game in a 2–1 defeat.
Nottingham Forest
Cardiff City and Harris could not agree terms and he was subsequently sold to Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
for an undisclosed fee after they were relegated to Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
in the 2004–05 season.
Harris was unable to make an impact at the City Ground
City Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
so was loaned out to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
who had also been relegated
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
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
Colin Calderwood
Colin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
. 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
Darren Byfield
Darren Asherton Byfield is an English-born professional footballer of Jamaican descent who played for Walsall. His predominant position is as a forward.-Career:...
and Ben May
Ben May
Ben Steven May is an English footballer who plays for League One side Stevenage as a striker.May began his career at Southampton's youth academy in 1998, before playing at Fulham's centre of excellence for a year. In 2000, he moved once again, this time joining Millwall's youth set-up...
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 New Den
New Den Stadium
The Den , is a football stadium and the home of Millwall FC. It is situated in South Bermondsey, South East London, almost directly adjacent to the railway line between London Bridge and New Cross Gate, plus the SELCHP incinerator. It is under a quarter of a mile away from original 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
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
. It was a cutely struck volley from a few yards out. He and his team mates' 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 team mates 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.
Return to Millwall
Harris re-signed with Millwall on an 18 month contract on 8 January 2007, less than 24 hours after leaving Forest. Speaking to BBC SportBBC Sport
BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. It incorporates programmes such as Match of the Day, Grandstand , Test Match Special, Ski Sunday, Rugby Special and coverage of Formula One motor racing, MotoGP and the Wimbledon Tennis...
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
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
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
Teddy Sheringham
Edward Paul "Teddy" Sheringham MBE is a retired English footballer, and the father of footballer Charlie Sheringham. Sheringham played as a striker, and had a successful career at the club level, winning almost every domestic honour available with his clubs, most notably the Treble with Manchester...
. Harris informed the South London Press
South London Press
The South London Press is a bi-weekly tabloid newspaper based in Streatham, South London, covering local news within the London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Wandsworth....
, 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."
Kenny Jackett
Kenny Jackett is a former Wales international football player, who has since moved into management. He is the current manager of Millwall, the longest serving manager in the Football League Championship and eleventh longest serving manager in England.A skilful player, equally at home in defence or...
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
Lewis Grabban
Lewis Grabban is a footballer who currently plays for League Two side Rotherham United as a striker....
, Gary Alexander
Gary Alexander (footballer)
Gary George Alexander is an English footballer who plays for League One side Brentford.-Early career:He began his career with West Ham United, but his first taste of first team football came with a loan spell at Exeter City in the 1999–2000 season...
, Bas Savage
Bas Savage
Basir "Bas" Mohammed Savage is a professional English footballer who plays as a striker for Northampton Town. He is known for his trademark moonwalk goal celebration and his outrageous hairstyles which have gained him cult fame on TV's Soccer AM.-Starting out at Reading:Savage started his...
and Marc Laird
Marc Laird
Marc Laird is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League One club Leyton Orient....
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
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
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." Harris signed a new one year contract with The Lions on 4 June 2008.
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. 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
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie at home to Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
. Neil also scored the opening goal in the 3–1 extra time defeat to West Ham
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in the next round of the League Cup.
Harris scored once in the 3–1 victory over Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, and also netted a hat-trick in the 4–0 away win at Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
.
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.
Southend United
On 9 June 2011, Harris agreed a three-year deal with Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. He had a year to run on his deal with Millwall but manager, Kenny Jacket agreed to cancel the strikers contract by mutual consent allowing him to sign for his hometown club on a free transfer. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4-0 win at Rotherham United on 24 September 2011.