JACK’S GIANT ROAD TRIP
Explorer Harrison at home in Leeds
IN terms of journeys to the top, Jack Harrison’s definitely taken the long way round.
It is only a 55-minute drive from Harrison’s childhood home in Bolton to Leeds, but his route took him 6,400 miles via Manchester United’s academy, America and Manchester City.
He left United at 14 to pursue a football scholarship at the Berkshire School in Massachusetts which led to him joining MLS outfit New York City in 2016.
“My mum Debbie looked at all the kids coming through the academy and how many of them actually make it into the first team,” he said.
“She thought outside the box and found these scholarships in the US so that if something were to happen, say I had a bad injury, I would have a good education to fall back on.”
Harrison, 24, initially flew over on his own for five days to sample life at by DAVID ANDERSON the Berkshire and was immediately hooked.
He added: “I’ve always been an independent person, I like exploring. I attended a few classes, went mountain biking, trained with the team, I just loved every bit of it.
“There were players from all over the world and I was able to take little bits of their game. I learned so much.” He has blossomed under Marcelo Bielsa to become one of Leeds’ most creative players, contributing eight Premier League goals and eight assists last season.
The winger, who made his move from City permanent in the summer after three seasons on loan, has immersed himself in the club and has learned much from Leeds legend Eddie Gray (inset).
“I’ve spoken to Eddie quite a lot,” he said. “I had a good chat with him at our awards dinner at the end of last season and he gave me a few tips. He told me how proud he is because we have taken the club back to the Premier League after so many years out of it.”
Harrison is frustrated by Leeds’ disappointing start and they have registered only two league wins going into tomorrow’s clash at home to Leicester.
“We probably could have beaten Everton, Burnley and Newcastle and these are games we were able to get three points in last season,” said Harrison.
“On top of that we’ve been really unfortunate with the amount of injuries we’ve had.
“It’s been tough but we have a lot of faith in Marcelo’s methods and our way of working.”