No medals, but what a legacy Harrison leaves

ERIC HARRISON had no World Cup winner’s medal to show for his time in football. He wasn’t Gordon Banks. He was an unexceptional wing-half for two clubs whose names are synonymous with the game at its least glamorous: Halifax and Hartlepool. Yet, as a youth coach, Harrison (pictured) produced a generation of footballers who would rewrite the record books at Manchester United, and beyond. On news of his passing yesterday, Gary, Phil, Ryan, Paul, Nicky and David — a group now as instantly recognisable as John, Paul, George and Ringo — posted a heartfelt social media tribute which concluded: ‘We owe you everything.’ Youth coaches have for too long been undervalued in the English game; often the lowest-paid backroom staff, their best efforts ignored by coaches under pressure to deliver instant success, buying ready-made first-team material. Harrison was fortunate Sir Alex Ferguson was always open to promoting youth. And Ferguson was lucky that Harrison was motivated to produce men who could walk into the fiercest, most demanding dressing room in the country. He coached not just fine footballers, but winners, competitors. And he did so in a way that might not find favour now. ‘Youth coaching is 90 per cent about arms around shoulders,’ recalled Harrison. But that other 10 per cent? Harrison’s fury was as famous as Ferguson’s. ‘Occasionally, I had to apologise,’ he admitted. But what a team he helped produce. For a youth coach, they were every bit a World Cup winner’s medal.