Jim Harvey
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Harvey is a Northern Irish
football manager and former player. He is currently manager of Conference North
side Stalybridge Celtic.
in his hometown of Lurgan
, before joining Arsenal
in 1977. He made only three Football League
appearances and one UEFA Cup
appearance in three years, with his debut coming against Derby County
on 9 May 1978.
Harvey moved to Hereford United
in 1980, where he made 278 league appearances. He had a brief spell at Bristol City
and then on loan
to Wrexham, before moving to Tranmere Rovers
in 1987; there he played 239 matches, scoring 19 goals, and became club captain. At Tranmere, he was the playmaker for a team who gained two promotions and won the Leyland DAF Cup final in 1990.
Spells at Crewe Alexandra
, Southport
and Chester City
(youth coach) followed, and he finished his playing career as player-manager at Morecambe
.
in 1996. In 1998 he managed Morecambe to the Conference League Cup
title, beating Woking
in the Final. He also led Morecambe to second place in the Conference in 2003, before being defeated on a penalty shootout in the semi-final against Dagenham & Redbridge
. He also served as assistant manager to long-time friend Sammy McIlroy
when McIlroy was in charge of the Northern Ireland
national team.
Harvey suffered a heart attack before a league match against Cambridge United
in November 2005. Whilst Harvey was given time off to recuperate, McIlroy was installed as caretaker manager
. McIlroy took Morecambe into the play-offs during Harvey's absence, and on Harvey's first day back after his illness in May 2006, he was sacked with McIlroy being installed as permanent manager in his place. Harvey's sacking from Morecambe has led to serious animosity between the two former friends and colleagues; they refused to shake hands when Harvey's Forest Green side met McIlroy's Morecambe at Christie Park in November 2006.
After spending the pre-season coaching at Crewe Alexandra
, in September 2008, Harvey replaced Gary Owers
to become Forest Green Rovers
' seventh manager in nine seasons. He took over a team bottom of Conference the with just 2 points from the first six games and led them to safety with a game to spare. In his second season as Forest Green boss he led the club to its highest ever league finish of 8th in the Conference National under his guidance. He then led the club to the third round of the FA Cup
in his third season at Forest Green where they narrowly lost 4–3 to Championship
side Derby County
. In the same season he took Forest Green in to the Conference League Cup
Final following a 1–0 away win at Ebbsfleet United in the semi finals however Forest Green lost in the final to AFC Telford United 0-3 on penalties after the game finished goalless. He left the club in August 2009.
On 6 October 2009, Harvey was appointed manager of Chester City until the end of the 2009–10
season, where he had previously been part of the coaching staff in the mid 1990s.
However Harvey resigned in January 2010 because of uncertainty regarding his future.
On 12 February 2010 Harvey was appointed manager of Stalybridge Celtic
in the Conference North
.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
football manager and former player. He is currently manager of Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Stalybridge Celtic.
Playing career
As a player, Harvey began his career at GlenavonGlenavon F.C.
Glenavon F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Lurgan and plays its home matches at Mourneview Park...
in his hometown of Lurgan
Lurgan
Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...
, before joining Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in 1977. He made only three Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
appearances and one UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
appearance in three years, with his debut coming against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 9 May 1978.
Harvey moved to Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
in 1980, where he made 278 league appearances. He had a brief spell at Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and then on loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
to Wrexham, before moving to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in 1987; there he played 239 matches, scoring 19 goals, and became club captain. At Tranmere, he was the playmaker for a team who gained two promotions and won the Leyland DAF Cup final in 1990.
Spells at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
and Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
(youth coach) followed, and he finished his playing career as player-manager at Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
.
Managerial career
Harvey joined Morecambe as player-manager in July 1994 and led them into the Football ConferenceConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in 1996. In 1998 he managed Morecambe to the Conference League Cup
Conference League Cup
The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
title, beating Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
in the Final. He also led Morecambe to second place in the Conference in 2003, before being defeated on a penalty shootout in the semi-final against Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
. He also served as assistant manager to long-time friend Sammy McIlroy
Sammy McIlroy
Samuel Baxter "Sammy" McIlroy is a former Northern Ireland international footballer whose clubs included Manchester United....
when McIlroy was in charge of the Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
national team.
Harvey suffered a heart attack before a league match against Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
in November 2005. Whilst Harvey was given time off to recuperate, McIlroy was installed as caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
. McIlroy took Morecambe into the play-offs during Harvey's absence, and on Harvey's first day back after his illness in May 2006, he was sacked with McIlroy being installed as permanent manager in his place. Harvey's sacking from Morecambe has led to serious animosity between the two former friends and colleagues; they refused to shake hands when Harvey's Forest Green side met McIlroy's Morecambe at Christie Park in November 2006.
After spending the pre-season coaching at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, in September 2008, Harvey replaced Gary Owers
Gary Owers
Gary Owers is an English former professional footballer and was previously manager of Forest Green Rovers of the Nationwide Conference as well as the Assistant Manager at League Two side Aldershot Town...
to become Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
' seventh manager in nine seasons. He took over a team bottom of Conference the with just 2 points from the first six games and led them to safety with a game to spare. In his second season as Forest Green boss he led the club to its highest ever league finish of 8th in the Conference National under his guidance. He then led the club to the third round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
in his third season at Forest Green where they narrowly lost 4–3 to Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. In the same season he took Forest Green in to the Conference League Cup
Conference League Cup
The Conference League Cup was an English football competition open to clubs playing in levels 5 or 6 of the English football league system , which covers the three Football Conference divisions.The Conference League Cup was formed...
Final following a 1–0 away win at Ebbsfleet United in the semi finals however Forest Green lost in the final to AFC Telford United 0-3 on penalties after the game finished goalless. He left the club in August 2009.
On 6 October 2009, Harvey was appointed manager of Chester City until the end of the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
season, where he had previously been part of the coaching staff in the mid 1990s.
However Harvey resigned in January 2010 because of uncertainty regarding his future.
On 12 February 2010 Harvey was appointed manager of Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic F.C.
Stalybridge Celtic are an English full time professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. The club, which plays its home matches at Bower Fold, is currently in the Conference North in the sixth tier of the English football league system...
in the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
.