Tributes to Mike Harris

Posted 26th April 2021

I joined the Old Wilsonians Football Club 60 years ago this autumn. There were only four teams and Mike was skipper of the 3rd XI. He was a bustling, not necessarily skilful striker but a frequent goal scorer. As in life his playing style was courageous and he had a big heart. Anyone who played against him knew they had been in a game by the end.
Off the field he was enormously enthusiastic about the club and didn’t keep quiet about it.
Back in 1961 we had an equally enthusiastic 4th XI Captain, Brian McAlister, brother of the legendary Richard “Mac”. He held his own team meetings and did an occasional newsletter which meant that his side was doing well even though Brian himself was not as good a player as his brother. People were very keen to get into this bonded side.
Consequently the new old boys were struggling to get a game and it was decided to form the first ever 5th XI in the history of the club and I was elected captain at the age of 17.
So I probably first met Mike properly at the Monday selection meetings in the office of our then Hon Secretary George Croucher – another legend of AFA football. He worked for Mays Funeral Directors in Peckham High Street. As you can imagine this led to a deal of black humour especially enjoyed by Mike and the then 2nd XI Captain Ian Forbes.
Young old boys will find it hard to believe that we used to post the selection notices on the Tuesday mornings so with deliveries much more reliable you would know by Wednesday where and for which team you were playing.
I suggested that as we were spending that money we should turn the selection notice into a short weekly newsletter, giving last week’s results, tables and other news.
Mike announced that he had a Gestetner duplicator which he would donate to the club if I would do the newsletter/selection notice. I can see him now bringing this heavy cumbersome machine up the stairs into our flat in East Dulwich which was not hugely welcomed by my parents.
Once again for the younger old boys this was a state-of-the-art printing machine 60 years ago. You had to type each page on a wax stencil so mistakes were a nightmare, although small ones could be fixed with correction fluid. Then you had to paste black ink onto a roller and the letters would appear through the typed wax onto the paper. It was a messy, time-consuming business with frequent malfunctions which, for a few years occupied my winter Sunday evenings. No wonder I got married so late.
Of course Mike Pike took it over for decades and I’m sure he is as delighted as I to see it still going, as was Mike H.
As George Croucher started to wind down from his 40-year stint as Secretary and five before as Assistant Secretary, Mike slowly took over and for many, many years he was the club’s driving force.
Sometimes not always a diplomat but he got things done and I can pay him no higher compliment than to say he has been as important to our club as was George Croucher. I know that he would be flattered by that because he had the most enormous respect for George. I now regret not saying that to him myself.
Just like his predecessor Mike became involved across the whole of AFA football where again he was held in the highest regard and affection, including organising the Old Boys Cup.
Many people have already listed the many offices and honours he held or received so I won’t repeat them here.
At the last OW Association Past Presidents lunch held before the pandemic I sat with Mike which I am now so pleased about. We rolled back the years including the time when we had played together in a 5th XI where I scored my only competitive hat-trick and he got one too. In his case probably one of several dozen.
We talked about George and the duplicating machine and all the ups and downs and even the odd disagreements we might have had now all in the past.
I also know that he was delighted, when I started speaking professionally, that the OWFC were featured on dinner menus such as the PFA, Footballer of the Year and many others. I think he even asked for the odd copy.
That picture of him with our first-ever AFA Cup should be enlarged and hung in the club. It was one of his happiest ever days and I was glad I was there too to witness his unashamed joy.
Just like other legends who have left us it will be hard to go into the clubhouse without expecting to see and certainly hear him. I shall not be alone in missing him. RIP mate. You were a good man.

Bob Bevan

Mike was a stalwart of AFA Football and will be sadly missed. Men like Mike do not come around too often .

Please can you pass our condolences to all at Old Wilsonians and to his family. 

Ayyaz Ishaque AFA

Harris was a lovely kind man , although wouldn’t like to show it . He was loved by the football club . Usually it took you at least a decade to win him round , but once you did he was amiable and let you off the odd demeanour ! The little Mexican (due to his gringo moustache) was awarded a medal by the FA for 50 years of service . He wanted the club to win the hospitality cup & when they did you saw no prouder man . The 1st XI will tell you how happy he was when they won the AFA Cup 6 years ago (picture on the home page of the website) , he had been after that cup for years & was mighty proud .

On a personal note Mike always guided me when needed & took an interest in what I was up to . We tried to update the records together 3 years ago , technically challenged would be an understatement for both of us , but we succeeded , mind you it took 3 weekends ! Mike was also the only man to send me off , and took great delight in doing so . He will be missed massively , Rest in Peace. The flag is at half mast in honour of our former President & there will be a minutes silence before our senior games over the weekend as we think about the little Mexican who prowled our pavilion

Alex Forbes 

I am sad to report that our Life President, Mike Harris, died peacefully at home Tuesday 20th April 2021. This is huge loss and our thoughts go out to his family of whom he was extremely proud.

It is difficult to put into words what "The Mexican" meant to Old Wilsonians. The fact he was our Life President really says it all. He simply bled old gold and black and he was never happier than when he was at Hayes. He was immensely proud of the club and the fact that is provided a platform for Old Wilsonians of all abilities to share fun times on the pitch and in the bar.

During his lengthy association with the club, he has done everything! He has been a player, a referee and held every committee position going, some for a large number of years. Without him, we wouldn't still exist. Mike is also the sole reason that you all know how many games you have played for the club and how many goals you have scored. He was one of a kind and not someone that will ever be replaced. Over the years he has spent of fortune feeding and watering our referees and other visitors and ensuring that all players and opposition treated our facilities with respect.

I have lots of fond memories of Mike. He has been hugely supportive of me and others during my time on the committee and always had a piece of advice or a way to help. I remember him walking onto the first team pitch and demanding the referee disallowing a goal that Jon Howe had scored with his hand, annoying at time, but testament to his Corinthian spirit. Programme editors for cup finals will not miss his 15-page submissions detailing the clubs progress on a day-to-day basis, AGM's will be significantly shorter and you haven't played at Old Wilsonians without having been shouted at for playing in the goal mouth or taking your bag in the bar!

Over recent years he got huge joy of what the 1st XI achieved. I have never seen him happier than he was when holding the AFA Senior Cup in 2014 and 2015. He was also over the moon when we were asked to host the final in 2016. However, what made him Mr Old Wilsonians was he was equally content when we managed to put out a 10th XI or have a side with a large number of school boys in it.

A true legend of amateur football and one that will leave a huge hole at Hayes. We have lost a number of legends in recent years and let's hope that they will be still having a drink in the bar every Saturday shouting their "constructive" critisicm.

Rest easy mate, Ariba

Jamie Parkinson 

A few whatsapp comments from vets & supervets  

Very sad.news - Old Gold & Black to the core - Rich Smart

RIP to Mike the mexican one of my many OW institutions - Mal Smart

Totally agree . There wasnt a week go by without him welcoming (or not , such was his way) OW players , Oppo players and officials . RIP Mike -, Hoff

Proper OW Legend. Proper old school referee. Took no prisoners but was always fair , Worked tirelessly for the betterment of the whole OW Club. And always told the opposition to take their kit bags backm out the bar !!!! - Phil Gilmore

Those bandages and the whiff of white horse ininoment in the changing room are imbedded in my OW memory bank... Jon Hart

Mike's friendly proclamation of "no bags in the clubhouse "! will never quite sound the same again. He was a true OW in many important ways & we will miss him immensely - Micky Pilgrim

Such a legend and a lovely man once you got on his right side of him , only took me 15 years - Dan