Andy Harris (footballer, born 1977)

Andrew David Douglas Harris (born 26 February 1977) is a former footballer who spent his whole playing career in England. He previously played in The Football League for Southend United, Leyton Orient and Chester City, he is also a firm fans favourite at former conference side Weymouth, where during their title winning season he scored a memorable second half equaliser against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground. He now teaches at Kingston Maurward College and is a member of the coaching staff at Dorchester Town F.C.

Not to be confused with other footballers with the name.

Andy Harris
Personal information
Full name Andrew David Douglas Harris[1]
Date of birth (1977-02-26) 26 February 1977
Place of birth Springs, South Africa
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1993–1994 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1996 Liverpool 0 (0)
1996–1999 Southend United 72 (0)
1999–2003 Leyton Orient 149 (2)
2003–2005 Chester City 33 (0)
2005 → Forest Green Rovers (loan) 12 (1)
2005–2006 Weymouth 46 (7)
2006–2009 Eastleigh 30 (2)
2009–2010 Weymouth
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 07:18, 26 April 2010 (UTC)

Early life

He was born in Springs in South Africa.[1]

Playing career

Harris began with Liverpool but failed to make a first–team appearance at Anfield before he moved to Southend United in July 1996. After three years with the Shrimpers, Harris switched to Leyton Orient ahead of 1998–99. His four-year stint with Orient included an appearance at the Millennium Stadium against Blackpool in the Football League Division Three play–off final in May 2001.[3] Despite being a near ever–present in his last three seasons with the club,[4] Harris was released at the end of 2002–03 and joined Chester City on a free transfer, being described as a "major signing" by manager Mark Wright.[4]

However, Harris was to start just 19 league games in two years at the club, the first ending with the club finishing as champions of the Conference National. His second season included a loan spell with Forest Green Rovers and ended with him joining Weymouth. During the 2005–06 season, Harris scored a shock equaliser for Weymouth in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest[5] and helped them win the Conference South championship. But he did not feature again after knee surgery and he dropped back into the Conference South with Eastleigh, with a loan move quickly becoming a permanent transfer on 10 October 2006.[6]

On 26 May 2009 he moved back to Weymouth for their 2009–10 season in the Conference South. He retired in June 2010.[7]

As Weymouth are a part-time club now, Harris has Moved into teaching and teaches a National Football Studies Course at Kingston Maurward College in Dorset.

Away from football, Harris is a member of Mensa International, possessing an IQ of 153.[8] He appeared on the ITV1 programme, Britain's Brainiest Footballers, in 2002.[8]

References
  1. "Andy Harris". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  2. Andy Harris at Soccerbase
  3. "Blackpool 4, Leyton Orient 2". soccerbase.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  4. "City sign midfielder". chester-city.co.uk. 3 June 2003. Archived from the original on 31 May 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  5. Allsop, Derick (5 November 2005). "Forest survive Weymouth's ambush in the backwoods". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  6. "Eastleigh capture Terras Harris". BBC Sport. 11 October 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  7. "Harris ends career". Dorset Echo.
  8. "Sport on TV". The Independent. 3 February 2002. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
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