Neil Harris - Millwall Legend

Although many might not know of Neil Harris because he has not played at the highest level, many do, especially Millwall fans. Millwall fans have gone through the high's and low's of his career not just on a fan level, almost on a personal friend level.


My first experience of Neil Harris was in 1999, the first season I was taken to The New Den by my dad. I don't remember much of the season, but I remember Neil's energy in getting round the pitch, his intelligence even then at around 20 years of age. I also remember he played a role in both the road to, and our first ever Wembley appearance in the then named Auto-Windscreens Shield Final. In the end we lost that game, but since then I have had a poster of Neil at this match in my bedroom.


My next real memories of Neil Harris are from our promotion winning season in 2001. This was my first season ticket season, and I remember not experiencing a loss in a long time, and when it finally came not feeling sure what to think as I had been so used to our old screen at the Den displaying 'Victory' at the end of a game! Neil was instrumental in our promotion, and on the way picking up the divisional Golden Boot, with an impressive tally of 25 league goals, 28 in total. He was being head hunted by bigger clubs, some in the Premiership, when both he and the club were rocked by the diagnosis of his testicular cancer.


Many players would have crumbled with that news, but not Neil. Supported by the club, the fans, and everybody associated with Millwall FC, of course as well as his family and friends, he overcame the battle with cancer and was declared fit for the new season. The character and strength he showed in his battle was inspiring, and unlike many players, the fans now looked on him as a friend, a part of the family, as well as a player. After the ordeal he set up a charity, the Neil Harris Everyman Appeal to raise funds for the treatment of testicular cancer - a charity he still regularly does fund raisers for including running marathons.

Watford 1 - 4 Millwall
The team holding Neil on their shoulders

It took a while for Neil to find his form again, but he got his first goal since the cancer on New Years day, 2002, away at Watford in an emphatic 4-1 win. This was one of the first away games I had been taken to, and it was by far the best I have been to since. On a freezing cold New Years day, we made our way to Vicarage Road. From what I remember we went 3-0 up with goals from other Millwall favourites, Richard Sadlier (who's career was tragically ended by a back injury just when he also was being head hunted by Premiership clubs), Steven Reid (now of West Brom) and Tim Cahill (now of Everton). Watford got a consolation goal late on. Mark McGhee the manager of Millwall decided to put Neil on in the last 5 minutes and told him to 'Get yourself a goal'. Neil has later said he was happy just to get a run out, but in added time as part of a counter attack the ball was played to him around the half way line. Neil ran at the Watford defence, and then struck his trademark goal of cutting in from the left and firing a superb curling shot past the 'keeper. Everybody was jubilant, the whole team came to him and lifted him on their shoulders, including the goalkeeper Tony 'Denzil' Warner. This is my favourite away day memory, and also perhaps my favourite goal I've ever seen. I've seen top quality goals from Gary Alexander and James Henry in recent seasons, but none of those goals have contained real emotion. Seeing Neil score again was like seeing a family member get well after illness.


Neil, although many will say lost a lot of his natural pace in his battle with cancer, continued scoring goals for the team, and some of his goals, including his fantastic goal against Tranmere, helped Millwall to the FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium in 2004, to face Manchester United. This must have been a great honour to Neil, and although few Millwall fans expected a win, it was our day. It also brought with it qualification to Europe.
Although at the end of the following season Dennis Wise sold him to Nottingham Forest, Neil returned to Millwall, much to the joy of the fans. Whilst helping Millwall to avoid the drop from League 1 after being relegated the season previously from the Championship, he also beat the clubs highest league goal scoring record of 93, previously held by Teddy Sherringham in the late 80's and early 90's. He went on to beat the overall goal scoring record in an away game at Gresty Road in a Tuesday night fixture against Crewe, and although it would have been great for him to achieve that at home in front of the home fans, it was a momentous occasion.


Recently, he has seen two more trips to Wembley. The first a loss to Scunthorpe in the League One Play Off Final of 2009, and the second a victory over Swindon in the same fixture but of 2010. This was an especially good day for Neil, as it capped off a great season, one of the best since the promotion of 2001, where he scored 18 goals, including two hatricks.


Last season he was a bit-part player, which must have been hard for him, and now he is off to join his home town club of Southend United. It is a footballing decision, in that they were prepared to offer him a 3 year deal, and he only had one year left on his contract at The Den. I am sad to see him go, I believe he still has the quality to perform at this level, and he has such an effect just being there. When he graces the pitch he raises the effort level of both the players and the fans. The atmosphere is raised a couple of notches. He is a true Millwall legend and I look forward to him visiting the Den again soon, I am sure he will receive the warmest of welcomes. He is a rare player, one that values loyalty over a slightly larger pay cheque, and this is recognised by the fans who have taken him truly to heart.


"...Everyone knows how much Millwall means to me, and I can assure you that I will be back at The Den as a supporter whenever possible..." 


He is one of the family, a good friend, and a true Millwall Legend.
Super, Super Neil, Super Neil Harris!