Men of Influence magazine


Neil Harris has made a career of proving people wrong.

So as his Cardiff City side come into the Championship play-offs as relative outsiders for promotion, it seems they have the right man at the helm.

Harris had to graft to make it as a player, starting in non-league and overcoming rejection on trial at Liverpool before earning a move to Millwall in the old Second Division.

Then after a prolific first few seasons at the club, his life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, external in 2001, at just 23 years old.

Even after intensive treatment including surgery and radiotherapy, Harris was back playing within a couple of months and, despite doubts from some managers at Millwall and his various subsequent clubs, his distinguished career lasted until he was 36.

As Millwall’s all-time leading goal scorer, he could retire happy – but he had a burning desire to prove himself all over again, this time as a manager.

Naturally he did so at his spiritual home, Millwall, leading them to promotion from League One and then to within touching distance of the Championship play-offs.

But when it came to taking his next job at Cardiff last November, the indifferent reaction from some fans suggested Harris would have to dispel the doubters once more.

Now, with the 43-year-old having taken his side from mid-table obscurity to a shot at Premier League promotion – starting with a play-off semi-final first leg at home to Fulham on Monday – it seems Harris has done just that.

“To change people’s perception is not always easy in football, so I’m really pleased about where I am at the moment,” he says.

“I came to Cardiff for a change and to take the next step. I knew I was coming to a big club in the Welsh capital, where the passion and demand of the fan base was huge.

“I knew I was coming to a club with a good squad of players and I thought there was the potential to be successful here.”



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