*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Bobby Harrison
Appearances: 24+1 Goals: 7
Date / Year of birth: 25th December 1947
Position: Striker
Season of first appearance: 1968/69
Season of last appearance: 1969/70
Also played for: Gillingham (1,0), Hastings United, Brett Sports, Sheppey United, Chatham Town and Medway
Bustling 5' 10" tall Chatham-born goal-poacher who played for Medway Boys and Kent Under-18's before starting his senior career as an amateur with Gillingham, joining them in June 1963. Bobby went on to make one appearance for the Gills during the 1966/67 season, playing in a game against Reading at Priestfield on 15.4.67. He was only the second amateur ever to play for Gillingham in the Football League. In June 1967 Bobby was signed as part-time professional, he couldn't become a full-time professional as he worked at Chatham dockyard as an engine-fitter.
In January 1968 he was loaned to Hastings and Bobby was still a Gillingham player when he joined Margate, initially on loan, in March 1969.
He scored twice on his debut in a 5-1 win over Bedford Town on 29.3.69 and went on to make a total of 12 appearances before the end of the 1968/69 season, scoring five goals. Bobby impressed with his skill and on 25.4.69 he scored with a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area as Margate beat Poole 4-2.
His transfer became permanent in the summer of 1969 and Bobby began the 1969/70 season in fine style, scoring twice in a 3-3 draw at Hereford on the opening day of the campaign. One of his goals was an excellent solo effort, Bobby beat two players before firing home. However he soon found himself out of favour and having made a total of 13 appearances (one as sub) without adding further to his goal tally Bobby left the club in December 1969 to become player-manager with Brett Sports.
In the summer of 1970 Brett replaced him with former Margate star Gordon Burden and Bobby joined Sheppey before moving on to Chatham in 1971.
Bobby went on to serve Chatham for 15 years and he set an all-time club record for appearances, making the last of them during the 1982/83 campaign. He scored over 200 goals for the club and for some of that time Chatham were known as Medway.
After retiring as a player Bobby had a spell in charge of Chatham's reserve team that included the 1984/85 season and he also managed the first team for a period.
In 1986 he moved to Sittingbourne to coach their youth and reserve teams and Bobby was still working for the club when he sadly died in Gillingham on 26.2.87 aged only 39.
His son Stuart played for Margate during the 1990's and he also wore the colours of Bobby's former clubs Chatham and Sheppey as well as playing for Gillingham's youth team.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC |
SLCH |
|
1968/69 (MFC) |
12 (75) |
0 |
5 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (18TH OF 22) |
1R |
3R |
RU |
W |
W |
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC | |
|
1969/70 (MFC) |
12 (72) |
1 |
2 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (13TH OF 22) |
1R |
3QR |
3R |
RU |
RU |