Cecil Harris

Cecil Norman Harris (q4 1905 – q2 1949) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Scottish League for Hibernian and in the Football League for Darlington.[1][5]

For the Aston Villa and Grimsby Town player of the 1920s, see Cecil Harris (footballer, born 1896). For American ace fighter pilot, see Cecil E. Harris.

Cecil Harris
Personal information
Full name Cecil Norman Harris[1]
Date of birth q4 1905[2]
Place of birth Madeley, Shropshire, England
Date of death q2 1949 (aged 43)[3]
Place of death Darlington, County Durham,[3] England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[4]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1927–1929 Hibernian 7 (0)
1929–1931 Darlington 21 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Life and career

Harris was born in Madeley, Shropshire, one of the numerous children of James Harris, a collier, and his wife Margaret.[2][6]

He began his senior football career in Scotland with Hibernian, as backup to William Robb. With Robb away on international duty with the Scotland team, Harris made his debut on 29 October 1927 in a 5–1 win against Hamilton Academical in Division One. The Evening Telegraph was impressed:[7]

On Saturday's showing Hibernians have in Harris, a most capable keeper. Of splendid height, he is agile as a cat. If Robb is not available at any time, the Hibernian management can substitute Harris with the greatest of confidence.

as was the Scotsman:[8]

Harris, the new goalkeeper they fielded, proved something of a discovery, so ably and confidently did he repel the rushes of the Hamilton forwards. His saving during the first half went far to stimulate the team.

His next outing, against Rangers at Ibrox some 18 months later when Robb was unavailable with a poisoned hand, was less auspicious. Attempting a punched clearance, he punched the ball into his own net instead. His defenders were unnerved, and Hibernian lost 3–0.[9] In Robb's continued absence, Harris kept his place for the next five matches, taking his total for the club to seven.[5][10]

He returned to England at the end of the season, and signed for Third Division North club Darlington.[4] He began his Darlington career with a competent display for the reserves in the North-Eastern League, albeit in a 4–1 defeat to local rivals Hartlepools United,[11] and went on to play 21 League matches over two seasons,[1] but was unable to dislodge future England international Harry Holdcroft as first choice.[12]

Harris died in Darlington, County Durham, in 1949 at the age of 43.[3]

References
  1. Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-899468-67-6.
  2. "England & Wales births 1837–2006 Transcription". Cecil Norman Harris. Birth year: 1905. Quarter: 4. District: Madeley. County: Shropshire. Volume: 6A. Page: 601. Retrieved 19 December 2014 – via Findmypast.
  3. His death was registered in the second quarter of 1949."England & Wales deaths 1837–2007 Transcription". Harris Cecil N. Age: 43. District: Darlington. County: Durham. Volume: 1A. Page: 226. Retrieved 19 December 2014 – via Findmypast.
  4. "Darlington's new players". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 9 August 1929. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "Harris, Cecil". FitbaStats. Bobby Sinnet & Thomas Jamieson. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  6. "1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription 22 Coalport Road Madeley, Madeley, Shropshire, England". Norman Harris. Age: 5. Census reference: RG14PN16031 RG78PN989 RD348 SD2 ED9 SN66. Retrieved 19 December 2014 – via Findmypast.
  7. "In the World of Sport". Evening Telegraph. Dundee. 1 November 1927. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. "Scottish League. Weakened Hibernians win". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 31 October 1927. p. 4.
  9. "First Division. Poor play at Ibrox". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 11 March 1929. p. 13.
  10. "To-morrow's big football problems". Evening Telegraph. Dundee. 29 March 1929. p. 9 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. "Reserves show their paces". Northern Daily Mail. West Hartlepool. 5 September 1929. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive. Darlington ... had one player of merit – Harris, in goal. ... they must thank their lucky stars they had such a capable goalkeeper as Harris.
  12. "Sports snaps". Daily Mail. Hull. 14 August 1931. p. 11 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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