PROFILE
Having sprung to the
attention of the nation during the 1997/98 season,
United's 'Wizard of Oz', proved undoubtedly that
it was no flash in the pan , with a superb second
campaign for Leeds, which ended with a fourth
place finish in the Premiership and a place in
the UEFA Cup.
Now courted by top
clubs all over Europe, Harry remains loyal to
Leeds and is ready to sign a new five year
contract.
Sydney born Harry was
originally given his debut in the 1995/96 season,
as a 17 year old, by Howard Wilkinson, but as
George Graham bedded in the following season
Harry's progress was held up as the boss set his
sights on Premiership survival, rather than
giving youth it's head, and Kewell whom Leeds had
recruited from the New South Wales Soccer Academy
and was already a full Australian international,
was limited to just a single substitute
appearance.
Then a pre-season injury,
that was to rule Lee Sharpe out for the whole
season, gave Harry the opportunity that he'd been
waiting for, and he grabbed it with both hands.
Breaking into the side as
a left winger Harry showed startling pace and
trickery, and importantly bags full of confidence.
Having shown an eye for
goal, he briefly kept Jimmy Hasselbaink out of
the attack in the autumn, and then as Rod Wallace's
magnificent start to the season petered out, it
was Kewell who was increasingly used as Jimmy's
strike partner.
The only dark cloud on an
otherwise wonderful footballing horizon for Harry,
seems to be the club's frosty relations with the
Australian FA.
Soccer Australia,
infuriated Leeds with a series of call ups for
what were seen as meaningless tournaments, and
when Kewell was pulled out of a three game
tournament with Brazil by the club, claiming the
youngster was injured, the Aussies secured a FIFA
ban on Harry that ruled him out of Leeds action
for the duration of the competition.
Having netted 8 goals
from 32 starts in his first season, Harry went
one better last time and there are bound to be
more ahead, as he continues to improve in every
department.
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