THE New Saints have unveiled former Premier League defender Craig Harrison (above) as their new director of football, following a month-long search for Mike Davies’ successor.
TNS chairman Mike Harris revealed his new acquisition at a press conference on Friday, when he confirmed Harrison will fulfil the role having overseen first team affairs at fellow Welsh Premier League side Airbus UK Broughton, since 2008.
Harrison, 34, played for Middlesbrough, Preston North End and Crystal Palace before his career was curtailed by an horrific leg break in 2003.
As Airbus manager he took the perennial relegation candidates to the brink of a European play-off spot last season and Harris is confident his new director of football has the ambition to match that of the club.
“We are very confident Craig is the man for the job,” said Harris.
“He has shown absolute enthusiasm for the role, is experienced in this league, and has lots of interesting ideas to help take The New Saints forward.
“Craig has been successful at Airbus who he helped improve immensely.
“That experience will help us continue our good work and bring the league title back to Oswestry,” he added.
As a player, Harrison’s four-year stay with Bryan Robson’s Middlesbrough included promotion to the Premier League and being part of a squad boasting legendary Italian striker, Fabrizio Ravanelli, and FIFA World Cup winning Brazilian, Juninho.
He also played for a First Division Crystal Palace side that became the only team to beat Liverpool in a cup competition in the Reds’ 2001 treble winning season, having a hand in Palace’s second goal in a 2-1 first-leg League Cup semi-final win.
Harrison spoke of his delight at his appointment and watched his new charges demolish Newtown on Monday.
“Full-time football is a massive lure for me, I've been a professional footballer for six or seven years previously, so to get back into full-time football at a club like this is brilliant,” said Harrison.
“It was the main attraction, you are in a privileged position to be a professional footballer and earn a living from it and it's something that's in my blood.
“Obviously I finished my career early and I've got a burning desire to go and finish what I probably should have as a player, as a manager.”