CHRIS HARRISON

Born: 17 October 1956

Came from: Launceston   Went to: Swansea City

First game: 24 April 1976   Last game: 11 May 1985

Appearances: 381 (371/10)   Goals: 8

Harrison was one of a rare breed: an Argyle apprentice who progressed through the ranks to become a first-team regular across nine seasons. An unassuming character, he was not a player of great flamboyance or outstanding skill, nor was he a big physical defender. He made his way in football through anticipation, good ball control and an innate ability to read the game. He was deployed as either a right-back or centre-back for a decade at Home Park.

Born in Launceston, Cornwall, he joined Plymouth Argyle as an apprentice in October 1974. He had come to Argyle's attention as a schoolboy for Gunnislake in the Plymouth and District (P&D) League and was an Ellis Stuttard discovery, invited to train two days a week at Home Park. However, it was under Tony Waiters that he made his first-team debut, in April 1976, in a 2-0 defeat at Carlisle United in the Second Division. Harrison played regularly for Argyle over the next eight years as both a centre-back and right back and was a member of the legendary squad that reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1984, before losing 1-0 to Watford at Villa Park on that tumultuous April day. Few will forget his celebration after the quarter-final replay win against Derby County at the Baseball Ground, which set up that Watford date, with the usually calm, shy Harrison scaling the fence of the travelling Green Army's enclosure to celebrate with them

By then, heading towards being an elder statesman at the club and under the incoming Dave Smith, Gerry McElhinney, Adrian Burrows and Clive Goodyear all arrived, leaving the club awash with defenders. It was the long-serving Harrison that saw his involvement starting to wane and he made his last appearance in a 2-0 defeat at Millwall in May 1985. In total had made 381 appearances in 10 years with the club, scoring eight goals, and playing under seven different managers.

In recognition of his long service, he was given a free transfer and also a testimonial against Chelsea in August 1985. He didn't need to wait long for a suitor and moved to Swansea City in September 1985 on a three-year contract, playing regularly in his first season at Vetch Field, though this ended with the club being relegated to the Fourth Division. He also linked up with another former Pilgrim, Colin Sullivan, and future Pilgrim Sean McCarthy. Harrison went on to be an influential member of the squad that won promotion back to the Third Division in the 1987-88 season, playing in the Play-off Final against Torquay United, which the Swans won 5-4 on aggregate, in the days when the 'finals' were two-legged affairs, before becoming Wembley showpieces. In total, he went on to make 117 league appearances in three years with the club and scored 14 goals - the goal tally aided by becoming the club's recognised penalty taker.

On release from South Wales, he returned to the South West in July 1998 to play non-league football for Saltash United, for whom he later went on to manage.

As his career wound down, he set up his own driving school in Looe after retiring as a player and also had spells coaching at Argyle's Centre of Excellence. He has also guested on several occasions on matchdays for Forever Green, the former players' association. Firmly settled back in Cornwall, he is kept fit by being a retained fireman.