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{{EngvarB|date=July 2013}}
⚫
{{infobox Football biography 2
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
⚫
| playername = Bernard Harrison
⚫
{{Infobox football biography
⚫
| name = Bernard Harrison
| image =
| image =
| fullname = Bernard Reginald Stanhope Harrison
| fullname = Bernard Reginald Stanhope Harrison
| dateofbirth = {{birth date|1934|9|28|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1934|9|28|df=y}}
| cityofbirth = [[Worcester]]
| birth_place = [[St John's, Worcester]], England
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|2006|3|18|1934|9|28|df=y}}
| countryofbirth = England
⚫
| death_place = [[Basingstoke]], England
⚫
| dateofdeath = {{death date and age|2006|3|18|1934|9|28|df=y}}
| cityofdeath = [[Basingstoke]]
| height =
| countryofdeath = England
| height =
| position = [[Outside right]]
| position = [[Outside right]]
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = [[Peter Symonds College]]
| youthclubs1 = [[Peter Symonds College]]
| years1 = 1952–1955
| years1 = 1952–1955
| clubs1 = [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
| clubs1 = [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
| caps(goals)1 = {{0}}0 {{0}}(0)
| caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1955–1959
| years2 = 1955–1959
| clubs2 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| clubs2 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps(goals)2 = 92 (12)
| caps2 = 92 | goals2 = 12
| years3 = 1959–1960
| years3 = 1959–1960
| clubs3 = [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| clubs3 = [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]
| caps(goals)3 = {{0}}3 {{0}}(0)
| caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 1960–1961
| years4 = 1960–1961
| clubs4 = [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]]
| clubs4 = [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]]
| caps(goals)4 = 18 {{0}}(4)
| caps4 = 18 | goals4 = 4
| years5 = 1961–1962
| years5 = 1961–1962
| clubs5 = [[Poole Town F.C.|Poole Town]]
| clubs5 = [[Poole Town F.C.|Poole Town]]
| caps(goals)5 =
| caps5 = | goals5 =
| years6 = 1962–1963
| years6 = 1962–1963
| clubs6 = [[Dorchester Town F.C.|Dorchester Town]]
| clubs6 = [[Dorchester Town F.C.|Dorchester Town]]
| caps(goals)6 =
| caps6 = | goals6 =
| years7 = 1963–1964
| years7 = 1963–1964
| clubs7 = [[Andover F.C.|Andover]]
| clubs7 = [[Andover F.C.|Andover]]
| caps(goals)7 =
| caps7 = | goals7 =
| years8 = ????–????
| years8 =
| clubs8 = [[Portals Athletic F.C.|Portals Athletic]]
| clubs8 = [[Portals Athletic F.C.|Portals Athletic]]
| caps(goals)8 =
| caps8 = | goals8 =
| years9 = 1968–????
| years9 = 1968–????
| clubs9 = [[Winchester City F.C.|Winchester City]]
| clubs9 = [[Winchester City F.C.|Winchester City]]
| caps(goals)9 =
| caps9 = | goals9 =
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps(goals)1 =
| manageryears1 =
| managerclubs1 =
}}
}}
'''Bernard Reginald Stanhope Harrison''' (28 September 1934 – 18 March 2006) was an English sportsman who played [[first-class cricket]] for [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] and professional [[association football|football]] with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] and [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]]. As a cricketer he was an opening batsman who played a part in Hampshire winning the [[County Championship]] in 1961, whilst in football he played at [[outside right]].
'''Bernard Reginald Stanhope Harrison''' (28 September 1934 – 18 March 2006) was an English sportsman who played [[first-class cricket]] for [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] and professional [[association football|football]] with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] and [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]]. As a cricketer he was an opening batsman who played a part in Hampshire winning the [[County Championship]] in 1961, whilst in football he played at [[outside right]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
The son of Reginald Stanhope Harrison, a one-time mayor of [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/3526382.harrison/|title=Harrison|work=[[Basingstoke Gazette]]|date=10 January 2003|access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref> he was born at St. John's in [[Worcester, England|Worcester]], close to [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcestershire's]] [[New Road, Worcester|New Road]] ground.
Harrison was born at [[St. John's, Worcester]], close to [[New Road, Worcester|New Road]], the home of [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club]].


He was educated at [[Peter Symonds College]] in [[Winchester]], [[Hampshire]] and was a keen all round sportsman who excelled from an early age in both cricket and football. During his period of [[National Service]] he represented the army in both sports.
He was educated at [[Peter Symonds College]] in [[Winchester]], Hampshire and was a keen all round sportsman who excelled from an early age in both cricket and football. During his period of [[national service]] he represented the army in both sports.


==Football career==
==Football career==

===Crystal Palace===
===Crystal Palace===
Harrison was an England schoolboy international and in October 1952, he joined [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] as a trainee, on amateur terms.<ref>{{cite book | first=Dave |last =Juson | title=Saints v Pompey - A history of unrelenting rivalry| publisher=[[Hagiology Publishing|Hagiology]]| year=2004| isbn=0-9534474-5-6 |page=233}}</ref> Unable to break into the first team, he moved to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] in October 1955.
Harrison was an England schoolboy international and in October 1952, he joined [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] as a trainee, on amateur terms.<ref>{{cite book | first=Dave |last =Juson | title=Saints v Pompey – A history of unrelenting rivalry| publisher=Hagiology Publishing| year=2004| isbn=0-9534474-5-6 |page=233}}</ref> Unable to break into the first team, he moved to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] in October 1955.


At Crystal Palace he was given a professional contract and made his first team debut in March 1956, as Palace finished second from bottom in the [[Football League Third Division South|Third Division South]] and were forced to seek re-election. In [[1956–57 in English football|the 1956–57 season]], Harrison became established in the side, normally at [[outside-right]] with [[Johnny Byrne (footballer)|Johnny Byrne]] on the left, providing scoring opportunities for the front men, including [[Mike Deakin]] at centre forward and [[Peter Berry]] and [[Barry Pierce]] as the [[inside-forward]]s. Harrison himself contributed four goals, as Palace finished 20th in the table. In 1957, ''Soccer Star'' predicted that, once Palace's fortunes improved, Harrison would become "''one of the most talked about wingers in the game''".<ref name ="Painebio"/> He was selected to play in the [[Football League Third Division North vs. South Representative Games|Third Division South representative team]] in 1957.
At Crystal Palace he was given a professional contract and made his first team debut in March 1956, as Palace finished second from bottom in the [[Football League Third Division South|Third Division South]] and were forced to seek re-election. In [[1956–57 in English football|the 1956–57 season]], Harrison became established in the side, normally at [[outside-right]] with [[Johnny Byrne (footballer)|Johnny Byrne]] on the left, providing scoring opportunities for the front men, including [[Mike Deakin]] at centre forward and [[Peter Berry (footballer)|Peter Berry]] and [[Barry Pierce]] as the [[inside-forward]]s. Harrison himself contributed four goals, as Palace finished 20th in the table. In 1957, ''Soccer Star'' predicted that, once Palace's fortunes improved, Harrison would become "''one of the most talked about wingers in the game''".<ref name ="Painebio"/> He was selected to play in the [[Football League Third Division North vs. South Representative Games|Third Division South representative team]] in 1957.


In [[1957–58 in English football|the following season]], [[George Cooper (footballer)|George Cooper]] took over at centre forward, scoring 17 goals. Harrison contributed seven goals as Palace improved their league position, finishing 14th. Unfortunately, this was two places below the cut-off point for the re-organisation of the league structure, and Palace played in the newly created [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in [[1958–59 in English football|1958–59]]. Harrison only managed 14 league games in the 1958–59 season, with [[Ron Brett]] or [[Gerry Priestly]] being preferred in the No. 7 shirt.
In [[1957–58 in English football|the following season]], [[George Cooper (footballer, born 1932)|George Cooper]] took over at centre forward, scoring 17 goals. Harrison contributed seven goals as Palace improved their league position, finishing 14th. Unfortunately, this was two places below the cut-off point for the re-organisation of the league structure, and Palace played in the newly created [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in [[1958–59 in English football|1958–59]]. Harrison only managed 14 league games in the 1958–59 season, with [[Ron Brett]] or [[Gerry Priestley]] being preferred in the No. 7 shirt.


In the summer of 1959, Harrison left [[Selhurst Park]] having made exactly 100 first team appearances, 92 in the League and 8 in the FA Cup, scoring 12 goals (all in league matches).
In the summer of 1959, Harrison left [[Selhurst Park]] having made exactly 100 first team appearances, 92 in the League and 8 in the FA Cup, scoring 12 goals (all in league matches).


===Southampton===
===Southampton===
Harrison was recruited for [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], then in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]], by manager [[Ted Bates (footballer)|Ted Bates]] as cover for [[Terry Paine]]. Paine's fitness was such, however, that he never missed a match in [[1959–60 in English football|the one season]] that Harrison spent at [[The Dell (Southampton)|The Dell]]. Harrison's three appearances for the "Saints" came in October, when Paine switched first to the left to replace the injured [[John Sydenham]], and then to [[inside right]] in place of [[George O'Brien (footballer)|George O'Brien]]. Harrison's first and last matches were both against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]]. The second match was at home to [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] when [[Derek Reeves]] scored four, with one from Paine, in a 5–1 victory on 10 October 1959.<ref>{{cite book| title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC |last= Holley |first= Duncan |coauthors= Chalk, Gary | publisher=[[Hagiology Publishing|Hagiology]] | year=2003 | isbn=0-9534474-3-X|pages=57 & 61}}</ref> The ''Daily Echo'' reported that "''Bernard Harrison (did) well on the right wing''".<ref name = "Painebio">{{cite book | title= Constant Paine: From Southampton Legend to South African Ambassador|last= Bull|first= David|year= 2008|publisher= [[Hagiology Publishing]]|isbn=978-0-9534474-7-3|pages=264–265}}</ref>
Harrison was recruited for [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], then in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]], by manager [[Ted Bates (footballer)|Ted Bates]] as cover for [[Terry Paine]]. Paine's fitness was such, however, that he never missed a match in [[1959–60 in English football|the one season]] that Harrison spent at [[The Dell (Southampton)|The Dell]]. Harrison's three appearances for the "Saints" came in October, when Paine switched first to the left to replace the injured [[John Sydenham]], and then to [[inside right]] in place of [[George O'Brien (footballer, born 1935)|George O'Brien]]. Harrison's first and last matches were both against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]]. The second match was at home to [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] when [[Derek Reeves]] scored four, with one from Paine, in a 5–1 victory on 10 October 1959.<ref>{{cite book| title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC |last= Holley |first= Duncan |author2=Chalk, Gary | publisher=Hagiology Publishing | year=2003 | isbn=0-9534474-3-X|pages=57 & 61}}</ref> The ''Daily Echo'' reported that "''Bernard Harrison (did) well on the right wing''".<ref name = "Painebio">{{cite book | title= Constant Paine: From Southampton Legend to South African Ambassador|last= Bull|first= David|year= 2008|publisher= Hagiology Publishing|isbn=978-0-9534474-7-3|pages=264–265}}</ref>


Despite this, Harrison was unable to displace Paine and spent the rest of the season in the reserves. In his biography, Kevin Smallbone argues that Harrison was "''too talented for his own good''" and Harrison said (in 2005) that he "''was doing too many things, I didn't have time to train''".<ref name = "Painebio"/> Speaking to Paine's biographer, David Bull, Harrison commented that he "''couldn't understand''" why Ted Bates didn't switch Terry Paine to inside-left to accommodate him on the right.<ref name = "Painebio"/>
Despite this, Harrison was unable to displace Paine and spent the rest of the season in the reserves. In his biography, Kevin Smallbone argues that Harrison was "''too talented for his own good''" and Harrison said (in 2005) that he "''was doing too many things, I didn't have time to train''".<ref name = "Painebio"/> Speaking to Paine's biographer, David Bull, Harrison commented that he "''couldn't understand''" why Ted Bates didn't switch Terry Paine to inside-left to accommodate him on the right.<ref name = "Painebio"/>


At the end of the season, Southampton were able to celebrate taking the Third Division title, whereas Harrison decided to try his luck elsewhere.
At the end of the season, Southampton were able to celebrate taking the Third Division title, whereas Harrison decided to try his luck elsewhere.
Line 74: Line 69:
At the end of the 1959–60 season, Harrison moved along the coast to join [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] where he spent one season, making 18 appearances in the Fourth Division scoring four goals.
At the end of the 1959–60 season, Harrison moved along the coast to join [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] where he spent one season, making 18 appearances in the Fourth Division scoring four goals.


Over the next few years, he played for a succession of [[Non-League football|non-league]] clubs, ending his career at [[Winchester City F.C.|Winchester City]].<ref>{{cite book| title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC |last= |first= | publisher= | year= | isbn= |page=523}}</ref>
Over the next few years, he played for a succession of [[Non-League football|non-league]] clubs, ending his career at [[Winchester City F.C.|Winchester City]].<ref>{{cite book| title=In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC |page=523}}</ref>


==Cricket career==
==Cricket career==
{{Infobox cricketer biography
{{Infobox cricketer
| playername = Bernard Harrison
| batting = Right-handed
| image =
| bowling = Right-arm medium
| caption =
| batting = Right-hand batsman
| bowling = Right-arm medium pace
| columns = 1
| columns = 1
| column1 = [[First-class cricket|First-class]]
| column1 = [[First-class cricket|First-class]]
| matches1 = 14
| matches1 = 14
| runs1 = 519
| runs1 = 519
| bat avg1 = 23.59
| bat avg1 = 23.59
Line 96: Line 88:
| tenfor1 = 0
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 1/34
| best bowling1 = 1/34
| catches/stumpings1= 8/-
| catches/stumpings1= 8/–
⚫
| source = https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/6/6644/6644.html CricketArchive
| international = true
| country = English
| date = 10 April
| testdebutfor =
| year = 2023
| testdebutagainst =
| testdebutdate = 1 June
| testdebutyear = 1957
| lasttestdate = 18 August
| lasttestfor =
| lasttestagainst =
| lasttestyear = 1962
⚫
| source = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/6/6644/6644.html
| date =
| year =
}}
}}
Harrison joined [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] and spent most of his career playing in the Second XI as an opening batsman, understudying [[Roy Marshall]] and [[Jimmy Gray (cricketer)|Jimmy Gray]].
Harrison joined [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] and spent most of his career playing in the Second XI as an opening batsman, understudying [[Roy Marshall]] and [[Jimmy Gray (cricketer)|Jimmy Gray]].


He made his debut for the first XI against [[Oxford University Cricket Club|Oxford University]] in June 1957, not making any significant contribution in a drawn match. His [[County Championship]] debut came in May 1958, against [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcester]], scoring only a single and not being called on to bowl — Hampshire won the match by 9 wickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/22/22454.html|title=Oxford University v Hampshire (June 1957) |accessdate=15 February 2009}}</ref>
He made his debut for the first XI against [[Oxford University Cricket Club|Oxford University]] in June 1957, not making any significant contribution in a drawn match. His [[County Championship]] debut came in May 1958, against [[Worcestershire County Cricket Club|Worcester]], scoring only a single and not being called on to bowl – Hampshire won the match by 9 wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url-access=subscription |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/22/22454.html|title=Oxford University v Hampshire (June 1957) |access-date=15 February 2009}}</ref>


A strong right-hand batsman he achieved his top score of 110 versus Oxford University played at Portsmouth in July 1961. In this match, he shared with [[Mike Barnard]] in a stand of 119 for the second wicket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/24/24943.html|title=Hampshire v Oxford University (July 1961) |accessdate=15 February 2009}}</ref> Six of his 14 county matches were against Oxford University, and both his fifties and his only first-class hundred also came against them. He contributed to the team led by [[Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie]] that won Hampshire's first County Championship in 1961 and played four times in 1962. He continued to appear infrequently for the Second XI, the last time in 1968.
A strong right-hand batsman he achieved his top score of 110 versus Oxford University played at Portsmouth in July 1961. In this match, he shared with [[Mike Barnard (sportsman, born 1933)|Mike Barnard]] in a stand of 119 for the second wicket.<ref>{{cite web |url-access=subscription |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/24/24943.html|title=Hampshire v Oxford University (July 1961) |access-date=15 February 2009}}</ref> Six of his 14 county matches were against Oxford University, and both his fifties and his only first-class hundred also came against them. He contributed to the team led by [[Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie]] that won Hampshire's first County Championship in 1961 and played four times in 1962. He continued to appear infrequently for the Second XI, the last time in 1968.


==Later career==
==Later career==
Harrison was a qualified teacher, and amongst his positions was that of Sports and Mathematics teacher at [[Farleigh School]], firstly at [[Basingstoke]] and from 1982 at [[Red Rice, Hampshire|Red Rice]] near [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]]. Harrison's club cricket was with [[Basingstoke & North Hants Cricket Club]], where he also coached.
Harrison was a qualified teacher, and amongst his positions was that of Sports and Mathematics teacher at [[Farleigh School]], firstly at [[Basingstoke]] and from 1982 at [[Red Rice, Hampshire|Red Rice]] near [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]]. Harrison's club cricket was with [[Basingstoke & North Hants Cricket Club]], where he also coached.


He also excelled at other sports, gaining county recognition in badminton and table tennis and could also have done so in hockey while at school but football took preference.
He also excelled at other sports, gaining county recognition in badminton and table tennis and could also have done so in hockey while at school but football took preference.


==Biography==
==Biography==
In 2001, his biography "Brushes With The Greats – The Story Of A Footballer/Cricketer", written by Kevin Smallbone, was published by Sportingmemoriesonline.com.<ref>{{cite book | title= Brushes With The Greats – The Story Of A Footballer/Cricketer|last= Smallbone|first= Kevin |year= 2001|publisher= Sportingmemoriesonline.com|isbn=0-953788-02-4|pages= }}</ref>
In 2001, his biography "Brushes with the Greats – The Story of a Footballer/Cricketer", written by Kevin Smallbone, was published by Sportingmemoriesonline.com.<ref>{{cite book | title= Brushes with the Greats – The Story of a Footballer/Cricketer|last= Smallbone|first= Kevin |year= 2001|publisher= Sportingmemoriesonline.com|isbn=0-9537880-2-4}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 129: Line 111:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.rosebowlplc.com/news/hampshire-cricket-harrison-210306/ Obituary on Hampshire CC site]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130403110716/http://www.ageasbowl.com/news/hampshire-cricket-harrison-210306 Obituary on Hampshire CC site]
*{{cricinfo|id=14056}}
*[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/14056.html Cricinfo profile]
⚫
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214005319/http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/Announcements/0,,10323~805566,00.html |date=14 February 2012 |title=Obituary on Crystal Palace site }}
*[http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/6/6644/6644.html Cricketarchive profile]
⚫
*[http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/Announcements/0,,10323~805566,00.html Obituary on Crystal Palace site]


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Harrison, Bernard
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 28 September 1934
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Worcester]], England
| DATE OF DEATH = 18 March 2006
⚫
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[Basingstoke]], England
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Bernard}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Bernard}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2006 deaths]]
[[Category:2006 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Worcester]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Worcester, England]]
[[Category:Old Symondians]]
[[Category:People educated at Peter Symonds College]]
[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Association football forwards]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
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[[Category:The Football League players]]
[[Category:Portsmouth F.C. players]]
[[Category:Portsmouth F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Southampton F.C. players]]
[[Category:Southampton F.C. players]]
[[Category:Exeter City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Exeter City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Poole Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Dorchester Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Andover F.C. players]]
[[Category:Portals Athletic F.C. players]]
[[Category:Winchester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Winchester City F.C. players]]
⚫
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:English cricketers]]
[[Category:English cricketers]]
[[Category:Hampshire cricketers]]
[[Category:Hampshire cricketers]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of multiple sports]]
[[Category:People from St John's, Worcester]]
[[Category:Footballers from Worcestershire]]

Latest revision as of 15:12, 16 August 2024

Bernard Harrison
Personal information
Full name Bernard Reginald Stanhope Harrison
Date of birth (1934-09-28)28 September 1934
Place of birth St John's, Worcester, England
Date of death 18 March 2006(2006-03-18) (aged 71)
Place of death Basingstoke, England
Position(s) Outside right
Youth career
Peter Symonds College
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1952–1955 Portsmouth 0 (0)
1955–1959 Crystal Palace 92 (12)
1959–1960 Southampton 3 (0)
1960–1961 Exeter City 18 (4)
1961–1962 Poole Town
1962–1963 Dorchester Town
1963–1964 Andover
Portals Athletic
1968–???? Winchester City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Bernard Reginald Stanhope Harrison (28 September 1934 – 18 March 2006) was an English sportsman who played first-class cricket for Hampshire and professional football with Crystal Palace, Southampton and Exeter City. As a cricketer he was an opening batsman who played a part in Hampshire winning the County Championship in 1961, whilst in football he played at outside right.

Early life

[edit]

The son of Reginald Stanhope Harrison, a one-time mayor of Andover,[1] he was born at St. John's in Worcester, close to Worcestershire's New Road ground.

He was educated at Peter Symonds College in Winchester, Hampshire and was a keen all round sportsman who excelled from an early age in both cricket and football. During his period of national service he represented the army in both sports.

Football career

[edit]

Crystal Palace

[edit]

Harrison was an England schoolboy international and in October 1952, he joined Portsmouth as a trainee, on amateur terms.[2] Unable to break into the first team, he moved to Crystal Palace in October 1955.

At Crystal Palace he was given a professional contract and made his first team debut in March 1956, as Palace finished second from bottom in the Third Division South and were forced to seek re-election. In the 1956–57 season, Harrison became established in the side, normally at outside-right with Johnny Byrne on the left, providing scoring opportunities for the front men, including Mike Deakin at centre forward and Peter Berry and Barry Pierce as the inside-forwards. Harrison himself contributed four goals, as Palace finished 20th in the table. In 1957, Soccer Star predicted that, once Palace's fortunes improved, Harrison would become "one of the most talked about wingers in the game".[3] He was selected to play in the Third Division South representative team in 1957.

In the following season, George Cooper took over at centre forward, scoring 17 goals. Harrison contributed seven goals as Palace improved their league position, finishing 14th. Unfortunately, this was two places below the cut-off point for the re-organisation of the league structure, and Palace played in the newly created Fourth Division in 1958–59. Harrison only managed 14 league games in the 1958–59 season, with Ron Brett or Gerry Priestley being preferred in the No. 7 shirt.

In the summer of 1959, Harrison left Selhurst Park having made exactly 100 first team appearances, 92 in the League and 8 in the FA Cup, scoring 12 goals (all in league matches).

Southampton

[edit]

Harrison was recruited for Southampton, then in the Third Division, by manager Ted Bates as cover for Terry Paine. Paine's fitness was such, however, that he never missed a match in the one season that Harrison spent at The Dell. Harrison's three appearances for the "Saints" came in October, when Paine switched first to the left to replace the injured John Sydenham, and then to inside right in place of George O'Brien. Harrison's first and last matches were both against Barnsley. The second match was at home to Swindon Town when Derek Reeves scored four, with one from Paine, in a 5–1 victory on 10 October 1959.[4] The Daily Echo reported that "Bernard Harrison (did) well on the right wing".[3]

Despite this, Harrison was unable to displace Paine and spent the rest of the season in the reserves. In his biography, Kevin Smallbone argues that Harrison was "too talented for his own good" and Harrison said (in 2005) that he "was doing too many things, I didn't have time to train".[3] Speaking to Paine's biographer, David Bull, Harrison commented that he "couldn't understand" why Ted Bates didn't switch Terry Paine to inside-left to accommodate him on the right.[3]

At the end of the season, Southampton were able to celebrate taking the Third Division title, whereas Harrison decided to try his luck elsewhere.

Exeter City

[edit]

At the end of the 1959–60 season, Harrison moved along the coast to join Exeter City where he spent one season, making 18 appearances in the Fourth Division scoring four goals.

Over the next few years, he played for a succession of non-league clubs, ending his career at Winchester City.[5]

Cricket career

[edit]
Cricket information
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 14
Runs scored 519
Batting average 23.59
100s/50s 1/2
Top score 110
Balls bowled 108
Wickets 4
Bowling average 65.00
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 1/34
Catches/stumpings 8/–
Source: CricketArchive, 10 April 2023

Harrison joined Hampshire and spent most of his career playing in the Second XI as an opening batsman, understudying Roy Marshall and Jimmy Gray.

He made his debut for the first XI against Oxford University in June 1957, not making any significant contribution in a drawn match. His County Championship debut came in May 1958, against Worcester, scoring only a single and not being called on to bowl – Hampshire won the match by 9 wickets.[6]

A strong right-hand batsman he achieved his top score of 110 versus Oxford University played at Portsmouth in July 1961. In this match, he shared with Mike Barnard in a stand of 119 for the second wicket.[7] Six of his 14 county matches were against Oxford University, and both his fifties and his only first-class hundred also came against them. He contributed to the team led by Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie that won Hampshire's first County Championship in 1961 and played four times in 1962. He continued to appear infrequently for the Second XI, the last time in 1968.

Later career

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Harrison was a qualified teacher, and amongst his positions was that of Sports and Mathematics teacher at Farleigh School, firstly at Basingstoke and from 1982 at Red Rice near Andover. Harrison's club cricket was with Basingstoke & North Hants Cricket Club, where he also coached.

He also excelled at other sports, gaining county recognition in badminton and table tennis and could also have done so in hockey while at school but football took preference.

Biography

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In 2001, his biography "Brushes with the Greats – The Story of a Footballer/Cricketer", written by Kevin Smallbone, was published by Sportingmemoriesonline.com.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Harrison". Basingstoke Gazette. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  2. ^ Juson, Dave (2004). Saints v Pompey – A history of unrelenting rivalry. Hagiology Publishing. p. 233. ISBN 0-9534474-5-6.
  3. ^ a b c d Bull, David (2008). Constant Paine: From Southampton Legend to South African Ambassador. Hagiology Publishing. pp. 264–265. ISBN 978-0-9534474-7-3.
  4. ^ Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. pp. 57 & 61. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  5. ^ In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. p. 523.
  6. ^ "Oxford University v Hampshire (June 1957)". Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  7. ^ "Hampshire v Oxford University (July 1961)". Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  8. ^ Smallbone, Kevin (2001). Brushes with the Greats – The Story of a Footballer/Cricketer. Sportingmemoriesonline.com. ISBN 0-9537880-2-4.
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