*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.
Ted Harris
Appearances: 3 Goals: 0
Clean Sheets: 0
Date / Year of birth: 1922
Position: Goalkeeper
Season of first appearance: 1946/47
Season of last appearance: 1946/47
Also played for: Sittingbourne
Margate-born keeper who attended Garlinge Council School before continuing his studies at Margate Boys' Central School. During his time there Ted played for the school football team and was also picked for the Margate Boys team made up of youngsters from the various schools in the town.
During World War II Ted served in the R.A.F. for five years as a fitter and spent four of those years in India where he played in numerous representative football matches against touring teams. The opponents he came up against included a West Ham X1 that featured former Margate player (and future player-manager) Charlie Walker and a side put together by Arsenal star Denis Compton.
After the war ended Ted was offered trials by both Arsenal and Manchester United but opted to stay in India until the summer of 1946 when he returned home to Margate.
Ted signed for Margate ahead of the 1946/47 campaign and on 21.9.46 he became the third different goalkeeper to be used by the club in the first four matches of the season when he made his debut in an FA Cup tie at Maidstone that Margate lost 3-1. Ted kept his place for the next two games but after playing in a 6-2 win over Sittingbourne at Hartsdown Park on 5.10.46 he was replaced by new signing Doug Read who then became a fixture in the side.
Towards the end of October 1946 Ted was transferred to Sittingbourne having written to the club asking for a trial and his fine displays for the Brickies soon led to Charlton watching him but during December 1946 he caught a chill whilst playing in a match against Ashford. On Christmas Day he collapsed at Margate station whilst waiting for a train to take him to play for Sittingbourne at Sheppey and Ted was still far from well when the Brickies next match came around - a Kent Senior Cup tie against Margate at Hartsdown Park on 4.1.47. At half-time his condition was so serious that he was given stimulants to revive him in the dressing room but although he insisted on playing in the second half Ted didn't know where he was and afterwards didn't even know that Margate had won the game 4-2. He collapsed shortly after the end of the match and was taken home suffering from suspected gastric 'flu.
Ted recovered sufficiently to return to work and wrote a letter to Sittingbourne's secretary Cyril Landen asking for a run-out in the Brickies reserves but bad weather prevented him from playing. Then on 19.2.47 Ted was taken into Margate hospital suffering from tuberculosis meningitis. He tragically died there on 23.2.47 aged only 25 and the last game of football Ted had ever played was the Margate v Sittingbourne match on 4.1.47.
The Brickies secretary paid tribute to Ted in the East Kent Gazette and said "Just four months ago Ted Harris wrote to me and asked for a trial for Sittingbourne FC. His request was readily acceded to, and he played in goal for us in several matches, giving the finest display seen between the sticks for Sittingbourne so far this season. Ted rapidly gained the confidence of his team-mates, and showed promise of becoming a first-class keeper. It was a great shock to us on Christmas morning when we learned that he had collapsed on Margate Station prior to coming to the match at Sheppey. He never really recovered from his service in the R.A.F. in India, and the whole time he played football was, as we now know, under considerable difficulties. Ted was one of the keenest, whole-hearted players who have ever played the game. He just lived for his Saturday's kick-off. He would never give in, and we shall all sadly miss this great-hearted player who gave of his best at all times. Our sympathy goes out to his parents and brother in their great bereavement."
Ted's real name was actually Eric George Harris.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1946/47 (MFC) |
3 (38) |
N/A |
0 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (1ST OF 16) |
PR |
2R |
N/A |
SF |
|
Margate
won Kent League title. | |||||||||