Harris Joe Image 3 Newcastle United 1930

Description

Glasgow born right half Joe Harris began his football career in 1912 with Shettleston and played for Strathclyde in 1912 from where he joined Scottish League club Partick Thistle in 1913. He played for Thistle throughout the First World War and whilst still at Firhill he was capped twice for Scotland, playing against Wales and Ireland within two weeks in February 1921, with Scotland winning both games, beating Wales 2-1 at Pittodrie and Ireland 2-0 at Windsor Park, Belfast, as Scotland won the British Home Championship.

After 10 years with The Jags, having scored 5 goals in 207 appearances, he joined First Division Middlesbrough for £4,200 in March 1923, making his Football League debut against Arsenal the same month. Although they were relegated in 1924, Harris stayed with ‘Boro, playing 58 times for them before joining Newcastle United for £750 in September 1925.

Initially he found it hard to get a regular place in the Newcastle United side and made only 9 appearances as they won the League Championship in 1926-27. But the following season he was a near ever present, missing only one game, and he missed very few games in each of the following two seasons before losing his place in October 1930. In total he scored twice in 157 appearances during his six seasons at St James’ Park, before joining York City in June 1931. His final two seasons in professional football saw him make 64 appearances before retiring in 1933 having played his last game in April. He died suddenly the same October aged only 37.

NB the image was taken before the match at Villa Park on 12th April 1930, which Aston Villa won 2-0.