Gerry Harris facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gerald William Harris | ||
| Date of birth | 8 October 1935 | ||
| Place of birth | Claverley, Shropshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 28 July 2020 (aged 84) | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bobbington | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1953–1966 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 235 | (2) |
| 1966–1968 | Walsall | 15 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 1957–1958 | England U23 | 4 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Gerald William Harris (born October 8, 1935 – died July 28, 2020) was a talented English footballer. He played most of his professional career for Wolverhampton Wanderers, a famous football club. During his time there, he helped the team win two league championships and the important FA Cup.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
Starting Out at Wolves
Gerry Harris joined Wolves as an amateur player in 1953. This means he played for fun, not for money, at first. He had tried out for another team, West Bromwich Albion, but it didn't work out.
In January 1954, Gerry became a professional footballer. This meant he could now earn money playing the sport he loved. For a few years, he played in the club's reserve team. This is like a training team for players who are not yet in the main squad.
His first game for the senior team was on August 29, 1956. Wolves won that match 5–4 against Luton Town.
Becoming a Star Player
Gerry first got a chance to play in the main team because another player, Bill Shorthouse, was injured. But Gerry played so well that he kept his spot! From 1956 to 1961, he was almost always in the starting lineup.
This was a very successful time for Wolves. They won the league championship two years in a row, in 1957–58 and 1958–59. They almost won a third championship, missing it by just one point!
Gerry also helped the team win the FA Cup in 1960. This is one of England's biggest football competitions. He also played in every European Cup game that Wolves had played up to that time. The European Cup is a big competition for top clubs across Europe.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1962, a new player named Bobby Thomson joined Wolves. This meant Gerry Harris played less for the first team and spent more time in the reserves.
He returned to the main team in the 1964–65 season, but that year, Wolves were relegated. This means they moved down to a lower league. After playing only two more games for Wolves, Gerry moved to a nearby club, Walsall, in 1966.
He had played a total of 270 games for Wolves. Sadly, an injury ended his career at Walsall after just 12 months.
Gerry Harris passed away in July 2020 when he was 84 years old.
Achievements
- Football League First Division: 1957–58, 1958–59
- FA Cup: 1959-60
