Kent Harry Image 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1907

Description

Foleshill, Warwickshire born centre-half Harry Kent beginning his playing career at Notts County in 1897 but never broke into the first team. He became a professional at Heanor Town in September 1900 before moving to Ilkeston Town in September 1901 and then Newark in July 1902.

In May 1905 he signed for Brighton & Hove Albion, with whom he stayed for three years and also became club captain. While there he was described as “a hard working, worrying player and a strong tackler (who) feeds his forwards with good judgement”. He then signed for First Division Middlesbrough in April 1908 making his Football League debut at Manchester United in September, however he only made 6 appearances for ‘Boro, staying in the North-East for just over a year, before signing for Southern League side Watford in August 1909.

Following an unsuccessful 1909- 10 season Watford dismissed manager John Goodall. Kent, the club’s captain, was put in his place as player-manager. He went on to make 69 appearances for the club scoring 3 goals, playing through to the end of the 1910-11 season, besides a single game in December 1913 when he played in a defeat at Queen’s Park Rangers having not played for 2 seasons. Under Kent’s management Watford won the Southern League Championship in 1914-15 and only lost out on retaining the Championship in 1919-20 on goal average to Portsmouth. Kent took Watford into their initial Football League experiences, and he received £239.19s.9d from his benefit match in 1921. In his last two seasons carried out the extra duties of secretary without any addition to his salary. His resignation in May 1926 marked a complete departure from the game.