Playing career Neil Harris (footballer, born 1977)

1 playing career

1.1 career , millwall
1.2 nottingham forest
1.3 return millwall
1.4 southend united

playing career
early career , millwall

harris born in orsett, essex , educated @ brentwood school. 1 of earliest clubs maldon town real football career began when signed cambridge city. in december 1997 had trial @ liverpool, didn t lead transfer. later sold millwall fee of £30,000 on 25 march 1998. in first full season, named player of year millwall , later helped them second division championship in 2000–01 remarkable goal scoring record. harris golden boot winner being top english goal scorer during 2000–01 season, earning him nickname of bomber , in reference arthur travers harris. neil harris diagnosed testicular cancer in 2001, after receiving intensive treatment including surgery, given clear year later. consequence set cancer charity, neil harris everyman appeal. end of first spell @ millwall, harris not being played because player-manager dennis wise did not believe par, , led him sign cardiff city on loan prove enough first team football @ millwall.

harris made debut cardiff city when replaced cameron jerome during 3–1 win on gillingham and, after 1 more substitute appearance, handed first , start cardiff when manager lennie lawrence named him play against sheffield united , repaid faith shown in him scoring cardiff s goal of game in 2–1 defeat.

nottingham forest

cardiff city , harris not agree terms , subsequently sold nottingham forest undisclosed fee after relegated football league 1 in 2004–05 season.

harris unable make impact @ city ground loaned out gillingham had been relegated league 1 @ same time nottingham forest. scored 6 goals gillingham during season long loan spell, @ end of returned forest.

harris hoping make impact under new manager colin calderwood. harris s old club millwall made loan deal him on six-month deal in august 2006, harris rejected offer saying if move have on permanent basis, , darren byfield , ben may set return injury millwall, harris believed have once again been forced out side, reason left den in first instance. millwall therefore, withdrew transfer negotiations.

harris opened goal-scoring account forest on 2 september 2006, after 21 months of waiting in 4–0 victory against chesterfield. cutely struck volley few yards out. , teammates joy clear see in celebration, ran towards corner of stadium , did not though stop, until teammates caught up. in post match report, admitted enjoying life @ nottingham forest. nonetheless, contingent of forest fans still criticised harris relatively poor scoring record , poor performance record.

in january 2007 harris contract terminated mutual consent.

return millwall

harris re-signed millwall on 18-month contract on 8 january 2007, less 24 hours after leaving forest. speaking bbc sport next day harris stated, there special club, brings out best in me player , person. feels home, has done. can t wait started.

on 20 january 2007, in second game millwall, harris made club history scoring in 16th minute of 4–0 win on rotherham become millwall s top league goal scorer 94 goals, surpassing previous club record of 93 goals had jointly held teddy sheringham. harris informed south london press, on 23 january, intention surpass sheringham s 111 goal total millwall, stating: there no question of me relaxing after 1 goal. @ last can say, without putting pressure on myself, want teddy s overall record. thing ve wanted number one, , means getting total of 112.

ian tomlinson wearing neil harris all-time leading goal scorer t-shirt on millwall top, shortly before death during 2009 g-20 summit protests.

towards end of 2007–08 season, club mired in relegation battle, millwall boss kenny jackett told harris contract not renewed in summer not in first team plans following season; younger players such lewis grabban, gary alexander, bas savage , marc laird had pushed him down pecking order. harris responded stating had no intention of leaving club loved in hour of need. jackett brought harris first team squad on 15 march 2008, due injury gary alexander kept him out remainder of season. harris instrumental in securing millwall s league 1 status, scoring 1 goal , turning provider other 2 in millwall s 3–0 home win on carlisle united on 26 april. after strong set of performances, 30-year-old striker had managed change kenny jackett s mind , offered new one-year contract on 6 may. harris stated: club have made me new offer has pleased me professionally, because shows have done enough change manager s mind. makes me happy. harris signed new one-year contract lions on 4 june 2008.

on 13 january 2009, harris broke teddy sheringham s time goal scoring record millwall during 3–2 away win against crewe alexandra 112th goal club. on 4 april, harris signed new one-year extension contract.

on 9 may 2009, harris scored vital 71st-minute goal in first leg of play-off semi final against leeds united put them 1–0 going second leg @ elland road.

on 11 august 2009, harris scored hattrick in first round league cup tie @ home bournemouth. neil scored opening goal in 3–1 time defeat west ham in next round of league cup. harris scored once in 3–1 victory on huddersfield town, , netted hat-trick in 4–0 away win @ stockport county.

harris suffered minor injuries during latter part of autumn 2009, in form again in january.

on 28 january 2010, harris prolonged contract millwall until 2012.

southend united

on 9 june 2011, harris agreed three-year deal southend united. had year run on deal millwall manager, kenny jacket agreed cancel strikers contract mutual consent allowing him sign hometown club on free transfer. scored first goal club in 4–0 win @ rotherham united on 24 september 2011. harris retired on 21 june 2013 after failing recover injury.