Football’s Journeymen : Ian Harte (Video)
What a CV this man has. He’s been to the most unlikely of places!
Leeds United, Levante, Sunderland, Blackpool, Carlisle United and most recently and probably lastly, Reading.
Ian Harte became a forgotten hero as he headed off to Spain. This was thanks to Leeds United’s ill fated financial crisis. At this time, it was rumoured that he might be heading to Barcelona or Milan however it was Levante who would take him on. He scored Levante’s first La Liga goal in 41 years but also suffered a groin injury that sidelined him for most of his maiden campaign. After an up and down spell in Spain, Roy Keane brought him back to Britain after injury scuppered his chances in Spain.
This spell didn’t work out too well for him either as he was released after 1 year only playing 8 times.
Harte continued to bumble around the leagues as he trialled and then signed at Blackpool in December 2008 – another false dawn for the Irishman as he was once again clubless in Feb 2009.
Carlisle United would be where he would find himself in the following March and his career would get back on track from then on. A mainstay in the side racking up 52 appearances netting 19 times, Harte found himself again thanks to manager Greg Abbott.
After trialling and being released from many clubs, Harte would find himself unexpectedly signing for Reading for £100,000 in August 2010 and the rest they say is history…
Ian Harte is back in the big time after an 8 year hiatus from the Premier League.
He signed a 1 year extension this past summer keeping him in Berkshire until 2013 – at this time he turned down the opportunity to rejoin Leeds United.
Stats: 20 seasons in Professional Football at Left Back. 506 Appearances. 85 Goals.
And let’s all remember that Ian Harte has played in a Champions League Semi Final!
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