Paul Harsley

Paul Harsley (born 29 May 1978) is an English former footballer and football coach.

Paul Harsley
Harsley playing for North Ferriby United in 2011
Personal information
Full name Paul Harsley[1]
Date of birth (1978-05-29) 29 May 1978[1]
Place of birth Scunthorpe, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
000?–1996 Grimsby Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1997 Grimsby Town 0 (0)
1997–2001 Scunthorpe United 128 (5)
2001–2002 Halifax Town 45 (11)
2002–2004 Northampton Town 59 (2)
2004–2006 Macclesfield Town 107 (11)
2006–2008 Port Vale 73 (6)
2008–2010 Chesterfield 20 (1)
2009–2010 → Darlington (loan) 3 (0)
2010 → York City (loan) 9 (1)
2010–2012 North Ferriby United 56 (7)
Total 500 (44)
Managerial career
2018 Barnsley (caretaker)
2018–2020 Manchester City EDS
2022 Huddersfield Town (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Harsley played as a midfielder from 1996 until 2012, and made 583 league and cup appearances, scoring 52 goals. He spent the majority of his career in the English Football League, though also had spells in the Conference Premier and Northern Premier League. His professional footballing career began at Grimsby Town in 1996, though he switched to Scunthorpe United a year later, without having appeared for Grimsby. He spent four seasons with the club, racking up 128 league appearances, before moving to Halifax Town. In 2002, he transferred to Northampton Town, and after a couple of years he moved on again to Macclesfield Town. In 2006, he signed with Port Vale, yet again he stayed just two years, though did pick up a Player of the season award before signing with Chesterfield. In 2010, he left Chesterfield, having been largely unsuccessful, and spending much of his time on loan at Darlington and York City. He finished his career in non-League football with a two-year spell at North Ferriby United. In total he made 500 league and 83 cup appearances, scoring 52 goals. He was named as Player of the Year at Scunthorpe United (1999), Northampton Town (2003), Macclesfield Town (2005), and Port Vale (2008).

He coached at Scunthorpe United, Birmingham City and Barnsley, and was appointed Barnsley's caretaker manager in February 2018. He coached Manchester City EDS from 2018 to 2020, was first-team development coach at Birmingham until 2022, and then joined Huddersfield Town as first-team assistant coach. In September 2022, he became Huddersfield's co-caretaker manager alongside Narcís Pèlach, following the sacking of Danny Schofield, but departed in November 2022, when new manager Mark Fotheringham replaced him with Kenny Miller.

Career

Grimsby Town

Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, Harsley started his career at the Grimsby Town youth system as a trainee and signed a professional contract on 16 July 1996.[3] He moved to his hometown club Scunthorpe United 7 July 1997, having not appeared for Grimsby's first team.[3]

Scunthorpe United

He broke into Scunthorpe's first team on 20 September 1997, aged 18, in a 1–0 defeat at Barnet, replacing Alejandro Calvo García as a late substitute. His first season was quite successful, as he made fifteen appearances in all, scoring his first professional goal against Exeter City. His second season with the club was to prove far more prolific however. He made 42 appearances as his club won promotion via the Third Division play-off final at the end of the 1998–99 season. The final itself took place at Wembley Stadium on his 21st birthday, where they defeated Leyton Orient 1–0. He was also given the club's Player of the Year award, the Ernie Storey Memorial Trophy.[4]

Harsley was an ever-present for Scunthorpe's Second Division season, though he was unable to help the club avoid relegation in 23rd place. He maintained his first team spot in 2000–01, but was released by the club at the end of the season,[5] subsequently joining Halifax Town on a free transfer on 1 July 2001.[3]

Halifax Town

He spent one season at Halifax; which proved to be highly successful on an individual level, with Harsley ending up as their top scorer with twelve goals from fifty games; however the team performed extremely poorly and they were relegated out of the English Football League, a full nine points below Bristol Rovers. Throughout the campaign he was linked with big money moves to First Division clubs,[6] but nothing came of the speculation.

Northampton Town

Unwilling to play in the Conference,[7] in June 2002 Harsley moved on to Northampton Town, again on a free transfer.[8] He was highly productive throughout the 2002–03 season, making 51 appearances in all competitions and picking up the club's Player of the Year award. However, he suffered his third relegation in four years, as Northampton dropped out of the Second Division in last place, 11 points from safety.

Macclesfield Town

Although he started the 2003–04 season at Northampton, on 13 February 2004 he moved to Third Division rivals Macclesfield Town.[3] He helped them to avoid relegation, before a signing a two-year contract in May 2004.[9] A successful season followed in 2004–05, when his club made the play-offs , finishing ahead of eighth place Darlington on goal difference. Despite ever-present Harsley scoring in the play-off semi-final, Macclesfield were knocked out by Lincoln City. At the end of the campaign he was handed the club's Player of the Year award.[10] The following season proved to be a disappointing one, with Macclesfield again fighting relegation. Harsley managed to make 45 league appearances, making 55 appearances in all competitions.

Port Vale

Harsley moved to League One Port Vale on a free transfer for the start of the 2006–07 season.[11][12] A quiet season for both club and player, he made a total of forty appearances. Vale were relegated in the 2007–08 season, and the club's misfortune on the pitch began to depress Harsley.[13] Though the season had its high points for Harsley as he was captain of the side and also player of the year.[14]

Chesterfield

At the end of the season he was out of contract,[15] and decided to move on after turning down a new deal at Vale Park and instead signed for Chesterfield.[16] He failed to impress in 2008–09, making less than 20 appearances all told. By February 2009 he was put on the transfer list by manager Lee Richardson.[17]

Harsley playing for York City in 2010

After starting the 2009–10 campaign just as poorly, he signed for Darlington on loan for three months on 26 November 2009, along with teammate Danny Hall.[18] He played just three games for the club. He joined Conference Premier side York City on loan until the end of the season in March 2010,[19] teaming up with his former Vale manager Martin Foyle. He made his first start in a 1–0 victory over Mansfield Town on 16 March,[20] and scored his first York goal with the opener in a 4–0 victory over Grays Athletic.[21] He finished the loan spell with nine appearances and one goal for York, helping them to a play-off position. Chesterfield announced that he would not be offered a new contract at the end of the season.[22]

North Ferriby United

Harsley trialled with Northern Premier League Premier Division team North Ferriby United in July 2010 and he signed for them in August.[23][24] He helped them to a play-off finish in 2010–11, though they lost out 2–0 to Colwyn Bay in the play-off semi-finals. He made 41 appearances in both league and cup games, before retiring in January 2012.[25]

Coaching career

Harsley was appointed as Centre of Excellence co-ordinator at Scunthorpe United in January 2011.[26] In August 2015 he began working with Steve Spooner at the Birmingham City Academy.[27] In October 2016, Harsley was appointed as Senior Professional Development Coach at Barnsley, with the responsibility of coaching the club's under-23 team.[28] On 6 February 2018, Harsley was named as caretaker manager at Barnsley following Paul Heckingbottom's move to Leeds United.[29] He managed the South Yorkshire derby between the "Tykes" and Sheffield Wednesday four days later, leading the team to a 1–1 draw at Oakwell.[30] On 16 February, José Morais was named as Barnsley's new permanent manager.[31] On 12 June 2018, Harsley was appointed EDS manager at Manchester City.[32] He left when his contract expired in 2020.[33]

Harsley rejoined Birmingham City, initially as lead professional development coach, took on some first-team duties when Lee Bowyer was appointed head coach in March 2021, and was confirmed as first team development coach in June.[34] After John Eustace took over from Bowyer, Harsley initially remained in post before leaving in August 2022 for Huddersfield Town, where he was appointed one of two assistants to head coach Danny Schofield.[35][36] Following Schofield's sacking on 14 September 2022, Harsley became co-caretaker manager alongside Narcís Pèlach.[37] Harsley reverted to his coaching role once Mark Fotheringham was appointed as manager 14 days later.[38] On 27 November 2022, it was announced that Harsley had left Huddersfield, after Fotheringham had brought in Kenny Miller to be his new co-assistant coach.[39]

Career statistics

Playing statistics
Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Scunthorpe United1997–98[40]Third Division151000000151
1998–99[41]Third Division34031203[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]0421
1999–2000[42]Second Division46310202[lower-alpha 1]0513
2000–01[43]Third Division33120201[lower-alpha 1]0381
Total 12856160601466
Halifax Town2001–02[44]Third Division451131101[lower-alpha 1]05012
Northampton Town2002–03[45]Second Division45231102[lower-alpha 1]0513
2003–04[46]Third Division14020102[lower-alpha 1]0190
Total 592512040703
Macclesfield Town2003–04[46]Third Division162000000162
2004–05[47]League Two46330105[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]1[lower-alpha 2]554
2005–06[48]League Two45620206[lower-alpha 1]1[lower-alpha 1]557
Total 10711503011212613
Port Vale2006–07[49]League One32120402[lower-alpha 1]0401
2007–08[50]League One415100000425
Total 736304020826
Chesterfield2008–09[51]League Two171101000191
2009–10[52]League Two3000101[lower-alpha 1]050
Total 201102010241
Darlington (loan)2009–10[52]League Two3000000030
York City (loan)2009–10[52]Conference Premier9100000091
North Ferriby United2010–11[25]Northern Premier Division324400052416
2011–12[53]Northern Premier Division243200061324
Total 56760001137310
Career total 5004429318036558352
  1. Appearance/s and goal/s in the EFL Trophy.
  2. Appearance/s and goal/s in the play-offs.

Managerial statistics
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
PWDLWin %
Barnsley (caretaker) 6 February 2018 16 February 2018 1 0 1 0 000.0
Huddersfield Town (caretaker) 14 September 2022 28 September 2022 1 1 0 0 100.0
Total 2 1 1 0 050.0 —

Honours

Scunthorpe United

Individual

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 272. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. "Profiles". Chesterfield F.C. Archived from the original on 22 April 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  3. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Mainstream Publishing. p. 179. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  4. "Vote For Your Player of the Season 2015/16". scunthorpe-united.co.uk. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  5. "Seven to leave Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 19 May 2001. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  6. "No offers for Harlsey". BBC Sport. 27 February 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  7. "Harsley to exit Shay". BBC Sport. 15 April 2002. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  8. "Northampton sign Harsley". BBC Sport. 12 June 2002. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  9. "Harsley stays at Moss Rose". BBC Sport. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  10. "Player of the Year". mtfc.co.uk. 9 May 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  11. "Harsley decides on Vale Park move". BBC Sport. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  12. "Harsley happy with Port Vale move". BBC Sport. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  13. "Vale captain Harsley feels 'down'". BBC Sport. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  14. "Player of the Year". port-vale.co.uk. 30 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  15. "Harsley yet to decide Vale future". BBC Sport. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  16. "Spireites agree deal for Harsley". BBC Sport. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  17. "Richardson open to offers for duo". BBC Sport. 19 February 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  18. "Darlington seal triple loan swoop". BBC Sport. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
  19. "York City sign Chesterfield man Paul Harsley". BBC Sport. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  20. "Mansfield 0–1 York". BBC Sport. 16 February 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  21. "Grays Athletic 0–4 York City". BBC Sport. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
  22. "John Sheridan shapes Spireites squad". BBC Sport. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  23. "Ferriby travel to Barton for latest warm-up". Hull Daily Mail. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010 – via Find Articles.
  24. "Pressure is on for Ferriby's Allison". Hull Daily Mail. 13 August 2010. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  25. "2010–11". North Ferriby United A.F.C. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  26. "An 'Excellent Chance' for Harsley". scunthorpe-united.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  27. Dick, Brian (26 August 2015). "Paul Harsley to join Blues academy set up from Scunthorpe United". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  28. "Reds Strengthen Coaching Set-Up". barnsleyfc.co.uk. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  29. "Paul Heckingbottom leaves Barnsley for Elland Road job". 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  30. "Barnsley 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  31. "Jose Morais: Barnsley appoint Portuguese as head coach". BBC Sport. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  32. Clayton, David. "Paul Harsley appointed EDS manager". Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  33. "Academy management structure confirmed". Manchester City F.C. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  34. "Football restructure". Birmingham City F.C. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  35. "Paul Harsley departs Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  36. Wobschall, Leon (1 August 2022). "Huddersfield Town appoint former Barnsley FC coach as first-team assistant to Danny Schofield". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  37. "Club Statement: Danny Schofield". Huddersfield Town AFC. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  38. Threlfall-Sykes, David (28 September 2022). "Mark Fotheringham Appointed Head Coach". htafc.com. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  39. Threlfall-Sykes, David (26 November 2022). "KENNY MILLER JOINS TOWN AS ASSISTANT COACH!". htafc.com. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  40. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  41. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  42. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  43. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  44. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  45. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  46. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  47. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  48. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  49. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  50. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  51. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  52. "Games played by Paul Harsley in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  53. "Player stats". North Ferriby United A.F.C. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
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