Wilson makes draw

Last updated : 23 September 2005 By Tony Scholes

Harry started his career with the Clarets back in the late 60s and won his place in Jimmy Adamson’s side just before we were relegated from the old First Division, making his debut in a 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in April 71.

He only played twelve first team games but remained with the Clarets until December 1973 when one of the country’s top managers of the time came a calling and paid £30,000 for him. That was Brian Clough who signed both Harry and Ronnie Welch for Brighton in a double deal, and in the next three and a half years he played over 130 league games for the south coast club before heading back to the north west with Preston.


Injuries restricted his appearances at Preston and he finally moved back home to the north east where he ended his playing career with first Darlington and finally Hartlepool.

He made a return to Burnley in 1990, brought back by manager Frank Casper as his youth team coach, eventually taking over the reserves with the arrival of Terry Pashley. He stayed with the Clarets until Chris Waddle arrived in 1997 and he had one more season as a coach, at Bury with Stan Ternent.

Since then Harry has worked with the Football League on the youth development side and is still very often seen at Gawthorpe, where he started his own career, keeping his eye on the youth set up at Burnley.


Harry’s very much a Claret these days but maybe it will be divided loyalties tomorrow when we take on the club he played most games for.