Wingmakers appoint Harrison as New Boss
Airbus UK Broughton appointed Assistant Manager Craig Harrison on Thursday 3rd July 2008, almost immediately after Gareth Owen left the club to join Rhyl as a player two days earlier.
Harrison was appointed as Owen's Assistant in December 2007, following previous incumbent Alan Bickerstaff's move to Porthmadog.
As a player, Craig, who is from Gateshead was a product of Middlesbrough's youth system, but he could not hold down a regular place in the first team after he made his league debut in Division One at the end of 1997 season. A few more appearances followed during the next season in the Premiership, but he was then sent on a one-month loan to Preston, making seven appearances.
He was then signed by Alan Smith at the beginning of the 2001/01 season for Crystal Palace and after a difficult start, he was the target of the Selhurst Boo Boys, but he improved dramatically in the second half of the season to the delight of his fans. Unfortunately, the former left-back suffered an horrific double compound fracture of his left leg during a reserve game against Reading in January 2002 and he retired from playing. The injury required blood transfusions, skin grafts and about 20 screws to fix him at the tender age of 25.
It was then a chance meeting with Gareth Owen at Harrison's surprise birthday party that led to his appointment at the Airfield. Gareth Owen's band Easy Street, were the entertainment at the celebration and the two got talking and Owen named him shortly afterwards to replace Bickerstaffe who left in November.
Since retiring from football I have always wanted to get back into the game and this is the perfect opportunity for me.
"It's really funny how me and Gareth (Owen) met," said Harrison at the time. "My girlfriend organised a surprise party to celebrate my 30th and she had booked Gareth's band to come along and play.
"We had a brief chat on the night and that is when I heard about the vacancy. I mulled over what to do for a couple of weeks and then got in touch. He offered me the role and I have been watching the club ever since. Since retiring from football I have always wanted to get back into the game and this is the perfect opportunity for me."
Harrison has played under a number of successful Managers in his time and the Wingmakers will be hoping that he can be influenced by the likes of David Moyes, Trevor Francis, Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson and Ian Dowie to ensure that they have a stable season, after a number of exits from the club in the close season.
Harrison also played with a number of high-profile professionals including Paul Gascoigne, Juninho, Paul Ince, Paul Merson, Bryan Robson, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Neil Ruddock and Andy Johnson.
