Background
Harris was born in Madeley, Shropshire, one of the numerous children of James Harris, a collier, and his wife Margaret.
Harris was born in Madeley, Shropshire, one of the numerous children of James Harris, a collier, and his wife Margaret.
He began his senior football career in Scotland with Hibernian, as backup to William Robb. The Evening Telegraph was impressed:
On Saturday"s showing Hibernians have in Harris, a most capable keeper. Of splendid height, he is agile as a cat.
If Robb is not available at any time, the Hibernian management can substitute Harris with the greatest of confidence. as was the Scotsman:
Harris, the new goalkeeper they fielded, proved something of a discovery, so ably and confidently did he repel the rushes of the Hamilton forwards.
His saving during the first half went far to stimulate the team His next outing, against Rangers at Ibrox some 18 months later when Robb was unavailable with a poisoned hand, was less auspicious.
Attempting a punched clearance, he punched the ball into his own Netto instead. His defenders were unnerved, and Hibernian lost 3–0.
In Robb"s continued absence, Harris kept his place for the next five matches, taking his total for the club to seven.
He returned to England at the end of the season, and signed for Third Division North club Darlington. Harris died in Darlington, County Durham, in 1949 at the age of 43.