Peter Harrison

A fleet-footed winger who made over 400 League appearances, he got his chance in League football with Leeds United after being one of the first of Major Buckley’s boys at Notts County. He was called up into the forces and played in Army representative sides in Germany. On his return to civilian life, he joined the Elland Road club, making his League début against Alf Ramsey and Spurs and became a great friend of John Charles, each acting as best man at the other’s wedding. He had 3½ seasons at Leeds, five at Bournemouth, and two at Reading. At Haig Avenue, he proved himself one of the best outside-lefts in the post-war period, despite an irritating tendency to try to beat one man too many. After he had missed only 4 games in 2 seasons, Southport’s directors caused a major uproar when his name appeared on the transfer list in 1961. Petitions were circulated by the Trades Council protesting about the decision but, though the Board relented, he never recovered his sparkle after being sent off against Colchester United in October 1961; he was the first Southport player to receive his marching orders in a League game at Haig Avenue. He subsequently settled in Cardiff, serving successively as Cardiff City trainer and youth team coach. He retired at 57 following a massive heart attack but happily has recovered full fitness.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9