Neville: He made us footballers

PHIL NEVILLE claims Eric Harrison was like a second father to him and Manchester United’s other young players.

Neville (above) was captain of Harrison’s 1995 FA Youth Cup winning-side and the England’s women’s team manager said: “If you take away the influence of your father, he was probably our second father.

“He was the one who took us from the age of 14 and delivered us to the first team, ready.

“Eric didn’t prepare you for a life in football, he prepared you to succeed in life with the values instilled in us.

“He had an unbelievable work ethic, the toughness of his attitude, the attention to detail in that he would not let you get away with absolutely anything.

“The way you spoke to the canteen ladies, the kit-man, the way you dressed, your timekeeping, they were values that stood us in good stead for all our lives. He was a truly remarkable man and I personally owe him everything.”