Gary Harkins

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Gary Harkins
Personal information
Full nameGary Harkins
Date of birth (1985-01-02) 2 January 1985
Place of birthGreenock, Scotland
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current clubOldham Athletic
(on loan from St. Mirren)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2006Blackburn Rovers0(0)
2004→ Huddersfield Town (loan)3(0)
2005→ Bury (loan)5(0)
2005→ Blackpool (loan)4(1)
2006–2007Grimsby Town17(0)
2007–2009Partick Thistle71(16)
2009–2011Dundee76(22)
2011–2013Kilmarnock46(3)
2013Dundee14(2)
2013–St. Mirren15(1)
2014–→ Oldham Athletic (loan)5(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 January 2014..
† Appearances (Goals).

Gary Harkins (born 2 January 1985) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Oldham Athletic, on loan from Scottish Premiership club St. Mirren.

He has previously played for Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Bury, Blackpool, Grimsby Town, Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock and Dundee.

Career

Blackburn Rovers

Gary Harkins started out as a schoolboy player with Celtic before joining Blackburn Rovers as a YTS player when he was 16.[1] He became a trainee in August 2003 but although he appeared in the academy and reserve teams he did not play a first team competitive game for the club.[1][2] Harkins joined Huddersfield Town on loan in March 2004,[1][3] where he made only three appearances before returning to Blackburn in June.[4] The arrival of Mark Hughes as manager of Blackburn in September 2004 saw Harkins called up to play with the first team in a number of pre-season friendlies with Hughes apparently seeing potential in his future as a centre back.[5] He joined Bury in February 2005,[6] for whom he played five times in a month-long spell,[7][8] and in November 2005, Harkins joined Blackpool on loan for one month,[9] where he made six appearances, scoring two goals.[10]

Grimsby Town

In July 2006, Harkins joined Grimsby Town on a free transfer signing a two year contract.[11] He made his debut on 5 August 2006 in the club's 3–2 victory over Boston United and made 20 appearances in total for Grimsby in the 2006–07 season.[12] His spell at Grimsby was an unhappy one, with homesickness and a falling out with manager Alan Buckley, who joined the club in November 2006, playing parts,[13][14] and at the end of the 2006–07 season, Buckley allowed Harkins to look for another club.[15] Instead, Harkins was released by the club, several weeks later after being allowed to leave.[16]

Partick Thistle

Harkins then moved to his native Scotland and after a trial signed a one-year contract with Scottish First Division club Partick Thistle in July 2007.[17][18]

While he started out at Thistle playing as a defender, his move into midfield let him play in a more attacking role.[19] Harkins made 39 appearances in the 2007–08 season, scoring three goals,[20] and 40 appearances in the 2008–09 season, scoring 11 goals.[21] Harkins signed a one-year contract with the club in April.[22] In the 2008–09 season, he was Thistle's top goalscorer with 11 goals,[23] and was nominated for the First Division Player of the Year award. During the 2008–09 season, Harkins was awarded the Scottish Football League Player of the Month on February.[24] At the end of 2008–09 season, Harkins was offered a new contract with the club,[25] but Harkins reportedly rejected a contract, something that was denied by Ian McCall.[26]

Dundee

After a protracted effort in which Dundee had two offers turned down, Dundee signed Harkins in July 2009, for a fee of £150,000 plus future fees.[27][28]

Harkins made 42 appearances for Dundee in the 2009–10 season, scoring 17 goals.[29] He won the Irn-Bru Phenomenal Player of the Month for August 2009 in the Scottish Football League,[30] and was nominated for Scotland's Player of the Year for the Scottish Football League Division One.[31] Though making 42 appearance and scoring 17 goals, Harkins admitted to struggle with the price tag, earlier in the season.[32]

At the start of the 2010/11 season, Harkins was appointed as a new captain after being given by manager Gordon Chisholm.[33] Having being appointed as captain, Harkins says he will try his best to become a captain.[34] He made a further 38 appearances, scoring five goals, in a troubled 2010–11 season for Dundee in which the club was penalised 25 points by the Scottish Football League in November 2010 after going into administration.[35][36][37] Harkins admitted, seeing Dundee in administration, as the darkest day of his career.[38]

At the end of the season, Harkins was nominated for Scottish Football League Player of the Year in the First Division.[39]

Kilmarnock

In June 2011 Harkins left Dundee to sign for Kilmarnock for an undisclosed fee, exercising an option to leave agreed when Dundee went into administration in the previous November.[40][41] Harkins made his first appearance for the Ayrshire side on 24 July, in a 1–1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice. Harkins scored his first goal for Kilmarnock in a 5–0 win over Queen of the South in the Scottish League Cup 3rd round, scoring only 90 seconds into the match. On 18 March, he played in the 2012 Scottish League Cup Final which Kilmarnock won after beating Celtic 1–0. Harkins would be often used in first team ins and out in his first season, but couldn't produce his performance, like he did before his move to Kilmarnock, due to ankle injury.[42] In 2012–13 season, Harkins goal's became difficult for him to come by and only score two goals. During January 2013, it was reported that Harkins could return to Dundee. This was initially denied by manager Kenny Shiels, who claimed that Harkins was "one of the best players in the SPL".[43]

Return to Dundee

On 25 January 2013, it was confirmed that Harkins had rejoined Dundee for an undisclosed fee.[44] As part of the deal the clubs agreed that he would not play when the two clubs met the following weekend at Dens Park.[44] Harkins's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 30 January 2013, in a 1–0 loss against Hearts. Then, on 6 April 2013, on the last game of the season before it split, Harkins scored twice, in a 2–0 win against his former club, to keep the club ensure of avoiding relegation.[45] However, Dundee was then relegated after a draw with Aberdeen on 5 May 2013.[46] Following their relegation, Harkins future is uncertain after desire to play in the higher level[47] Harkins announces he is to leave Dundee, citing the club's failure takeover ownership.[48]

St Mirren

On 3 June 2013, it was announced that Harkins had agreed a two year contract at Scottish Premier League side, St. Mirren.[49] His debut was the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 loss against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[50] In the next game, Harkins scored his first goal for the club, against his former club, Kilmarnock in a 1–1 draw.[51] During the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup Replay, Harkins scored his second goal in a 3–0 win over Queen of the South that ensured St. Mirren would play in the fifth round.[52] Following the match, Harkins vowed to keep his first team place.[53] Harkins was criticised by Danny Lennon for not "working hard enough off the ball to succeed at St Mirren".[54]

Oldham Athletic (loan)

Following an unsuccessful spell at St Mirren, it was announced on 3 January 2014 that Gary had joined Oldham Athletic on loan until the end of season 2013–14.[55]

Harkins scored his first goals for the club whilst excelling in the memorable match between Oldham Athletic which ended in a 5-4 win for Oldham after coming back from being 3-0 down at half - time. Harkins scored the first Oldham goal to make it 3-1, bundling the ball into the back of the net after a knock - down from Jonson Clarke - Harris, he then was involved in all of Oldham's goals, excelling on the left - hand side of the pitch, Harkins scored his second goal of the game with a penalty to make it 4-4 in the closing minutes of the game and then Harkins had the final say in the game, delivering the corner with which Genseric Kusunga scored with to make it 5-4 in the 96th minute of the game. Harkins deservedly won man of the match for his performance and he gained many plaudits post - match.[56]

Personal life

Harkins was born in Greenock[57] and attended St Columba's High School, Gourock, where he played in a wide variety of positions and for varied teams before bagging his move to Blackburn. His brother Paul is also a footballer playing in Scottish League Two for Elgin City. While playing career, Harkins revealed that doctors told him he has been playing with a broken ankle for four years.[58]

Gary is sponsored by Trojan Sports (www.trojan-sports.co.uk).

Honours

Dundee
Kilmarnock

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Harkins Premier signing". The Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 24 March 2004. Retrieved 22 March 2012. 
  2. ↑ "Gary Harkins". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 22 March 2012. 
  3. ↑ "Hudderfield sign Harkins". BBC Sport. 25 March 2004. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  4. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 22 March 2012. 
  5. ↑ Smith, Andrew (18 March 2012). "Interview: Gary Harkins, Kilmarnock midfielder". Scotland on Sunday. Retrieved 18 March 2012. "Initially, Harkins started out at Blackburn as a defensive midfielder but “even Mark Hughes ended up playing me at centre-half in a few pre-season games”." 
  6. ↑ "Bury sign Harkins on month's loan". BBC Sport. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  7. ↑ "Shakers want Fitzgerald to stay". BBC Sport. 10 March 2005. Retrieved 22 March 2012. "Blackburn midfielder Gary Harkin has not had his loan extended after making five appearances during a month-long spell at Gigg Lane." 
  8. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 23 March 2012. 
  9. ↑ "Blackpool recruit Harkins on loan". BBC Sport. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  10. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Racing Post. 
  11. ↑ "Grimsby swoop for veteran Beagrie". BBC Sport. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2012. "Grimsby Town have signed veteran winger Peter Beagrie and former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Gary Harkins [...] Harkins, 21, has signed a two-year deal at Blundell Park." 
  12. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 March 2012. 
  13. ↑ "Harkins wins contract at Firhill". BBC Sport. 22 July 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2012. "I'm delighted to get back up the road to Scotland and to get back to enjoying my football again. I hadn't been happy since moving to Grimsby and was a bit homesick." 
  14. ↑ Waddell, Gordon (18 March 2012). "Kilmarnock star Gary Harkins is happy to show what he can do after years on the defensive". Daily Record. Retrieved 24 March 2012. "I had a really tough time at Grimsby – the name says it all, really! I just had to get out, even though I had a year left on my contract. I didn’t do myself any favours and didn’t get on well with the manager – it was a big growing-up experience for me. The manager who signed me, Graham Rodger, got sacked after a few months then Alan Buckley came in and I just didn’t get on with him." 
  15. ↑ "Grimsby let Harkins pursue move". BBC Sport. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2012. 
  16. ↑ "Mariners release defender". Sky Sports. 29 July 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  17. ↑ "Partick Thistle sign defender Harkins". Glasgow Herald. 23 July 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2012. 
  18. ↑ "Harkins wins contract at Firhill". BBC Sport. 22 July 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  19. ↑ Fisher, Stewart (18 March 2012). "Kilmarnock's Gary Harkins hopes to get creative in cup battle". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 22 March 2012. 
  20. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  21. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  22. ↑ "New deals for Partick Thistle duo". BBC Sport. 18 April 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  23. ↑ Wilson, Fraser (2 July 2009). "Gary Harkins Exits Firhill In £150,000 Move To Dundee". Glaswegian. Retrieved 26 March 2012. "Harkins finished last season as top scorer for the Jags with 11 goals." 
  24. ↑ "IRN BRU PHENOMENAL PLAYER & MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARDS FEBRUARY 2009". Scottish Football League. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  25. ↑ "Gary Harkins set to follow boss Ian McCall and pledge future to Partick Thistle". Daily Record. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  26. ↑ "Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall slams Gary Harkins contract snub claims". Daily Record. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  27. ↑ Wilson, Fraser (2 July 2009). "Gary Harkins Exits Firhill In £150,000 Move To Dundee". Glaswegian. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  28. ↑ "Dundee capture Thistle's Harkins". BBC Sport. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009. 
  29. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  30. ↑ "August prize for Dundee's Harkins". BBC Sport. 6 September 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  31. ↑ "Rangers quartet vie for Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  32. ↑ "Price was weighing me down". The Scottish Sun. 23 November 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  33. ↑ "Gary Harkins at the front of the queue for Dundee captain's armband". Daily Record. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  34. ↑ "Dundee skipper Gary Harkins vows to nag team mates onto glory". Daily Record. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  35. ↑ "Games played by Gary Harkins in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Racing Post. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  36. ↑ "Dundee hit with 25-point penalty". BBC Sport. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  37. ↑ McDaid, David (4 November 2010). "Dundee can avoid relegation – Gary Harkins". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  38. ↑ "Watching Dundee go into administration has been darkest day of my career, says Gary Harkins". Daily Record. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  39. ↑ "Scotland's player of the year awards nominees announced". BBC Sport. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2012. 
  40. ↑ "Dundee's Gary Harkins signs for Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2012. 
  41. ↑ "HARKINS LEAVES". Dundee FC. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2011. 
  42. ↑ "Kilmarnock's Gary Harkins suffers broken ankle in training". BBC Sport. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  43. ↑ "Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels dismisses talk of Harkins departure". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013. 
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Midfielder Gary Harkins leaves Kilmarnock for Dundee". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013. 
  45. ↑ "Kilmarnock 1 Dundee 2: Harkins returns to haunt old club and condemn Killie to the bottom six". Daily Record. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  46. ↑ "Dundee 1 Aberdeen 1: Dundee relegated from SPL after failing to beat Aberdeen at Dens Park". Daily Record. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  47. ↑ "Dundee: Gary Harkins unsure over future". BBC Sport. 6 May 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  48. ↑ "Gary Harkins leaves Dundee, blaming collapsed Texan investment for his departure". Daily Record. 30 May 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 
  49. ↑ "Midfielder Gary Harkins signs for St Mirren". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013. 
  50. ↑ "Inverness CT 3–0 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  51. ↑ "St Mirren 1 Kilmarnock 1: Kris Boyd sees red as Buddies make their point". Daily Record. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  52. ↑ "St Mirren 3 Queen of the South 0: Gary Harkins returns in style as Saints secure Scottish Cup progress". Daily Record. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  53. ↑ "Gary Harkins imagines keeping St Mirren spot". The Scotsman. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  54. ↑ "Gary Harkins' lack of work rate prompted departure from St Mirren". STV. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  55. ↑ "Oldham sign David Worrall, Gary Harkins and Adam Lockwood". BBC Sport. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014. 
  56. ↑ "Oldham Athletic 5-4 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 January 2014. 
  57. ↑ "Dundee FC's Gary Harkins doesn't mind stick from Greenock boo boys". Paul Barnes (BBC). 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013. 
  58. ↑ "Kilmarnock star Gary Harkins: Docs told me I have been playing with a broken ankle.. for four YEARS". Daily Record. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2013. 

External links

Oldham Athletic A.F.C. – current squad
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