By Stephen 18
October 29 2004

You would be awarded no prizes for guessing whose beaming smile it was that most illuminated Millwall’s training ground canteen on Monday morning. Nearly two days of glowing reflection on entering the history books appeared to have done nothing to dampen the pride clearly evident within Neil Harris. Nearly two days of glowing reflection on entering the history books appeared to have done nothing to dampen the pride clearly evident within Neil Harris, as he strode in bright and early, head held high and ready to take the rightful acclaim from awaiting members of the media.



And why shouldn’t he feel on top of the world, for Harris has been through nearly every emotion imaginable in equalling Teddy Sheringham’s league landmark of 93 goals, which he achieved with a clinical 74th minute header from Alan Dunne’s cross on his 231st league appearance for the Lions against Cardiff on Saturday.



Harris was carving out a financial career in the city before Billy Bonds performed by far his best act as Lions manager by delving into non-league football and securing Harris for £30,000 from Cambridge City.



However, it took eight games and a change of management before the former Cambridge City forward found the net for Millwall.



All strikers go through droughts, and experiencing one so early was a valuable lesson for Harris to look back on for solace as he careered through the ups and downs of the professional game.



Belief is easier to acquire when you can refer back to experiences of coming through hard times as a better player, and September 19 1998 has doubtless been a day that has flashed through Harris’ mind once or twice in the past six years.



Northampton defender Ian Sampson had given the visitors a 31st minute lead and as the sides went in at half time it seemed that Millwall’s poor start of three defeats in their first four league games would be extended.



But four minutes after the break, Harris kick-started his Millwall career along with the club’s season.



Paul Shaw found Harris out on the left, and with little support the 21-year-old went alone and curled a superb shot into the top corner.

Millwall supporters are often heard berating their luck for following an unglamorous side through years of empty stadiums, poor attendances and less than glamorous football, yet this was an occasion that the 6,000 present can feel privileged to be a part of.



Not only due to bearing witness to Harris’ first Lions goal – and a trademark one at that – but because a certain Tim Cahill clinched the victory on 61 minutes with his inaugural Millwall strike.



You can be rest assured that events of the past six months have led to the value of that particular matchday programme multiplying rapidly.

With the drought over, there was no stopping Harris from switching the tap on full pelt.



His three LDV Vans goals helped the Lions to a Wembley final appearance against Wigan, and fifteen league strikes had him firmly established as a star attraction, although the cup exploits eventually scuppered any lingering promotion hopes as the season ended badly for Millwall.



A new millennium saw Harris’ stock rise yet further. His first ever Millwall hat trick – at Brentford – came towards the end of a 25-goal campaign for the hitman, and rumours soon circulated that bigger clubs were hot on his heels.



But Harris’ stance remained the same. ‘If Millwall want me, I’m happy to stay’ was his attitude, and one that has never been compromised.

Having once again lost out to Wigan in the season decider – this time in the play offs – there was pressure on the Lions to gain promotion to the old First Division at the beginning of the 2000/01 season.



Although Harris and company rose to the challenge, it took the dismissals of managers Keith Stevens and Alan McLeary and the appointment of Mark McGhee to provide the catalyst for a season that culminated in celebration.



The memory of Harris chipping into the net over goalkeeper Gary Kelly in the 5-0 victory against Oldham to clinch the Division Two Championship at the Den on the final day of the season perfectly illustrated a man full of confidence and belief.



Twenty-seven league goals had seen Harris claim the division’s golden boot award, and at 23, there appeared to be no stopping him from reaching the very top.



But just days later, a hammer blow arrived as Harris was diagnosed with testicular cancer.



Much has been written and said about his ordeal during this period, and having successfully fought the illness, the player has often

expressed a desire to concentrate on the future and not focus on what was, for someone so young, a unique experience.



Yet just for coming through the experience with his life intact, Harris achieved something even more special than equalling the league goalscoring record.



And just for pulling on a Millwall shirt again, Harris gave incalculable hope to millions of people afflicted with illnesses of any kind, to follow dreams they never dared imagine could come true.



The return to football happened an astonishing three months since the diagnosis, against Barnsley in September 2001.

But it was still early days, and it was not until December that he returned to serious first team contention.



Then, on New Year’s Day came one of the most defining moments of Harris’ career. As an 87th minute substitute, he netted a superb last minute curler to seal a 4-1 win at Watford.



The celebrations said it all. Every Millwall player on the pitch, including goalkeeper Tony Warner, crowded around Harris to acclaim a comeback that owed everything to sheer bloody-mindedness and perseverance.



But the higher division still took some getting to terms with, and the outstanding form of Steve Claridge and Richard Sadlier made it difficult for Harris to force his way into the frame.



A brace against Grimsby secured a play off spot, but Harris was still not happy with his form.



By this time, Sadlier’s hip was playing up, and following defeat to Birmingham in the play offs; Harris and Claridge formed the first choice strike force at the beginning of 2002/03.



Unfortunately, the pair were just too similar and failed to gel. A mediocre season was finally given some life when Harris’ former Cambridge City teammate Mark McCammon was brought in to provide height to the frontline.



They clicked immediately, and Harris finished the campaign with a run of five goals in his last seven games to end the season with a tally of twelve Division One strikes.



Last season saw the likes of Noel Whelan and Danny Dichio arrive to provide some competition in attack, and Harris managed to net ten times, including a spectacular volley at Tranmere to send the Lions into the FA Cup Semi Final.



A penalty in the last league game of the season saw Harris close to within one goal of Sheringham’s record, but this campaign it has seemed as though he may never reach the landmark.



The striker spent the first seven games of the season on the bench, and Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore even claimed that he was close to signing for the Millers.



But after earning a starting place against Derby last month, Harris finally put his name in the record books last Saturday, much to the relief of Millwall fans who did not want a present day West Ham player to be the sole owner of the league goalscoring accolade.



And though it could be argued that Harris’ goals, unlike Sheringham’s, came predominantly in the lower leagues, it is hard to imagine that any other club’s leading league scorer has had to display anywhere near the same strength of character to fulfil the goalscoring ambition, as Millwall’s very own present day number nine.


And with a toddler son who is taken to games attired in the full Millwall kit, Harris’ status as a true Lion could be followed for generations to come.