| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Reginald Frederick Harrison[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 22 May 1923 | ||
| Place of birth | Normanton, Derby, England | ||
| Date of death | 17 September 2020 (aged 97) | ||
| Place of death | Alvaston, England | ||
| Position(s) | Right winger | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Derby Corinthians | |||
| 1939–1944 | Derby County | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1944–1955 | Derby County | 254 | (52) |
| → Sheffield United (war guest) | |||
| → Notts County (war guest) | |||
| → Charlton Athletic (war guest) | |||
| → Hartlepools United (war guest) | |||
| 1955–1957 | Boston United | ||
| 1957–1962 | Long Eaton United | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1958–1962 | Long Eaton United | ||
| Wilmorton & Alvaston | |||
| Alfreton Town | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Reginald Frederick Harrison (22 May 1923 – 17 September 2020) was an English professional footballer who played as a right winger.
Born in May 1923 in Normanton, Derby, Harrison left school at 14 to train to be a decorator.[2] During World War Two he served with the Royal Engineers, serving as an Army training officer based in England.[2]
After playing non-league football for Derby Corinthians,[1] Harrison signed for Derby County at the age of 16.[2] He signed amateur forms in 1941 and turned professional in 1944, whilst he was also serving in the Army.[3] During the war he guested for Sheffield United, Notts County, Charlton Athletic and Hartlepools United.[3] He scored 52 goals in 254 league appearances for Derby,[1][4] and 59 goals in 281 games in all competitions.[2] Whilst with Derby, Harrison won the FA Cup in 1946.[2] As of September 2018 he was also the oldest living FA Cup winner.[3]
He left Derby to play for Boston United.[4] He joined Long Eaton United as a player in 1957, becoming player-manager in February 1958, remaining in that position until May 1962. He later also managed Wilmorton & Alvaston and Alfreton Town.[5]
After retiring as a player, Harrison worked for Derby City Council's Youth Service, and set up a youth centre and football club.[6]
Harrison and his wife celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in March 2015.[2] The couple had two children (including a son who died from leukemia at the age of 7), two granddaughters, and, as of March 2015, one great-grandson.[2] In September 2018 it was proposed by the local council that he would be awarded the Freedom of the City of Derby.[3]
He died at home in Alvaston on 17 September 2020 at the age of 97.[6][7] At the time of his death he was the oldest living FA Cup finalist.[7]