OUR MENTOR, THE MAN WHO
WHEN Sir Alex Ferguson describes you as “one of the greatest coaches of our time”, the tributes don’t come any higher.
Eric Harrison, the man who produced Manchester United’s Class of ’92 as well as a conveyor belt of other talent as chief scout, has died aged 81.
Ferguson inherited Harrison as part of his staff when he became manager in 1986 and yesterday acknowledged the key role played in his phenomenal success at Old Trafford by a man who also produced Mark Hughes, Norman Whiteside, Darren Fletcher and Wes Brown.
Fergie said: “Eric’s contribution to football and not just at Manchester United was incredible.
“He built character and determination in those young players and prepared them for the future.
“He was a teacher, he gave these players a path, a choice and he only did that through his own hard work and sacrifice. He was able to impart that education to the young, which made him one of the greatest coaches of our time.” After a playing career with Barrow, Hartlepool and his hometown club, Halifax, Ron Atkinson brought Harrison from Everton to become United’s youth team manager in 1981. He earned Ferguson’s respect early in the Scot’s United reign when he challenged him over the lack of young players coming though to the first team. Harrison told him: “Right, we’ll do a deal. You get me better-quality players and I’ll get you more youngsters in the first team.” Ferguson upgraded United’s scouting network and Harrison delivered handsomely on his side of the deal.
He won the FA Youth Cup in 1992 and 1995 and reached the final in 1982, 1986 and 1993.
The 1992 side boasted one of the finest crops of home-grown talent