Harrison Albert Image 3 Leicester City 1930

Description

Leigh, Lancashire born centre half Albert Harrison began his football career with junior clubs West Leigh in 1920 and Wigan Road Villa in 1921, before joining Third Division (North) club Wigan Borough in May 1922, making his Football League debut at Halifax Town that November, adding 5 further appearances through to September 1923. He returned to the non league scene with Atherton Collieries later in 1923 and joined Lancashire Combination club Chorley in 1924.

After three seasons, Second Division club Nottingham Forest then signed him in April 1927 and in his first season at The City Ground he helped them to reach the FA Cup quarter finals where they lost at Sheffield United having disposed of First Division clubs Derby County and Cardiff City in the previous rounds. Clearly his form was excellent as in May 1928 he was picked for the England tour of France and Belgium but was a non playing reserve for both of the internationals against the host nations, and never got another England opportunity. He did however represent the Football Association on their 1929 (18 player) Tour to South Africa. He scored at least twice against in games against Natal Province and Witwatersrand, and probably played in most if not all three unofficial Test Matches against South Africa on the Tour.

In December 1929, after 5 goals in 81 appearances for Forest, he signed for Leicester City, runners up in the League Championship the previous May, and he proceeded to make 33 appearances, scoring once, but he lost his place in November 1930. It is more than possible that his sudden quite dramatic career halt was due to an injury sustained. In 1931, he joined Irish League Dundalk, moving to Drumcondra in 1932 and returning to English football in 1933 with Cheshire League club Wigan Athletic, where he made 9 appearances. He retired from football with a spell at FC Lugano in Switzerland later in 1933.