Craig Harrison (footballer)

Early life

Harrison was born in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Playing career

He is a product of the youth system at Middlesbrough, where he made a number of appearances during the 1997-98 promotion season under Bryan Robson. He was unfortunate not to play in the 1998 League Cup final, having been Boro's left-back in the three league games immediately before the final. However, he did play the full match as the club sealed promotion with a 4–1 final day win over Oxford United. He also started the club's first game back in the Premier League. Whilst at the club he had loan spells with Preston North End in 1999 and Crystal Palace in August 2000.

He joined Crystal Palace permanently the following month, and over the next two years made 34 league appearances for the club. In January 2002, he suffered a double compound fracture in his left leg whilst playing for the club's reserves against Reading. After nineteen months in rehabilitation and three operations, he subsequently retired from professional football in 2003. After retirement he battled depression and worked on property renovation and resale.

Managerial career

Airbus UK Broughton

In the spring of 2008, he was appointed assistant manager of Welsh Premier League side Airbus UK Broughton after a chance meeting with the then manager Gareth Owen. In the summer of 2008, Harrison was appointed manager. In January 2010, he announced he was registering himself as a player for the club. He subsequently became director of football at the club.

The New Saints

In December 2011, Harrison was unveiled as director of football and manager of The New Saints

In his first season, he oversaw TNS being crowned the 2011–12 Welsh Premier League Champions, as well as the winning the Welsh Cup. He won the Welsh Premier League again in the 2013–2014 season, before securing the Welsh Premier League for the third year running and becoming the first team in Europe to win their domestic league.

In May 2017, he was named Welsh Premier League manager of the season, having led the side to their sixth successive Welsh Premier League title, as well as the Welsh League Cup and breaking Ajax's 44-year-old world record for the longest winning streak in top-flight football.

Hartlepool United

On 26 May 2017, Harrison was appointed as manager of newly relegated National League club Hartlepool United.

Harrison was awarded the National League's manager of the month award for October 2017. Following only one victory since late November, Harrison left his position as manager in February 2018.

Bangor City

On 23 May 2018, Harrison was appointed as manager of Bangor City following their relegation from the Welsh Premier League after failing to obtain a tier one license. On 19 October the same year he left the club to go to Connah's Quay as first team coach. He stated a desire to return to full-time work as the key factor behind his decision.

Connah's Quay Nomads

In October 2018, Harrison joined the coaching staff at Connah's Quay Nomads following his departure from Bangor City.

In September 2021, Harrison was appointed manager of Connah's Quay following the resignation of Andy Morrison.

Return to The New Saints

In August 2022 he returned to The New Saints as Head Coach.

Managerial statistics

Honours

As a manager

TNS

• Welsh Premier League: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024-25
• Welsh Cup: 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2022-23, 2024–25
• Welsh League Cup: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2023–24, 2024-25

Connah's Quay Nomads

• Welsh League Cup: 2021-22

References

References

1. {{Hugman. 8410
2. "Harrison injury blow for Palace". Sky Sports.
3. (30 December 2011). "The New Saints name Craig Harrison as their new manager". BBC Sport.
4. (28 June 2017). "Craig Harrison Big Interview: Career-ending injury made me bitter… but now I want to reach the top as a manager". The Non League Paper.
5. (November 2019). "Airbus UK Broughton F.C. manager signs himself!}} posted on Non League News 24 website. Retrieved 13 January 2010. {{small".
6. (15 June 2011). "Owen returns to the Airfield in role reversal". Welsh Premier League.
7. (30 December 2011). "Craig Harrison appointed as director of football". The New Saints.
8. (14 March 2015). "And the first champions of 2015 are ... TNS".
9. (22 May 2017). "Welsh Premier League: New Saints' Craig Harrison wins managerial award". BBC Sport.
10. (26 May 2017). "Craig Harrison: Hartlepool appoint The New Saints boss as manager". BBC Sport.
11. "Craig Harrison Is Manager Of The Month - News - Hartlepool United".
12. "Hartlepool boss Harrison leaves club". BBC Sport.
13. (23 May 2018). "Bangor City: Club appoint Craig Harrison as new manager". BBC Sport.
14. (19 October 2018). "Harrison joins Nomads management team". Connah's Quay Nomads.
15. "Harrison appointed Nomads' new Head Coach".
16. (4 August 2022). "The New Saints re-appoint Craig Harrison as Head Coach". [[Shropshire Star]].
17. (5 May 2012). "Welsh Cup final: Cefn Druids 0–2 The New Saints". BBC.
18. "Summary - Premier League - Wales - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
19. "Summary - Premier League - Wales - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
20. (21 April 2024). "The New Saints complete unbeaten Welsh league season with 30 wins, two draws". Reuters.
21. (14 May 2014). "Greg Draper sparks comeback as TNS net trophy double". Shropshire Star.
22. "The New Saints 2-0 Airbus UK Broughton". BBC Sport.
23. "The Welsh Premier League Cup".
24. "TNS clinch cup final victory over Swansea U21s". BBC Sport.