Paul Harsley

Football player infobox
playername= Paul Harsley


fullname = Paul Harsley
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|5|29
cityofbirth = Scunthorpe
countryofbirth = England
height = 5'8" (173cm)
currentclub = Chesterfield
clubnumber = 11
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1995-1997
1997-2001
2001-2002
2002-2004
2004-2006
2006-2008
2008-
clubs = Grimsby Town
Scunthorpe United
Halifax Town
Northampton Town
Macclesfield Town
Port Vale
Chesterfield
caps(goals) = 000 0(0)
131 0(5)
045 (11)
059 0(2)
107 (11)
073 0(6)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = June 15 2008
ntupdate =

Paul Harsley (born 29 May 1978 in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chesterfield. He is best suited to a defensive midfield role where he is known for his ability to read the game and break up the opposition's attacks. He is also able to play on the right of midfield and at right back.

Scunthorpe United

Harsley started his career at Grimsby Town as a trainee before moving to his hometown club, Scunthorpe United, having not appeared for Grimsby's first team. He broke into Scunthorpe's first team in 1997 aged 18 and went on to make 142 appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals. During his time at Scunthorpe he won 1 promotion via the Division 3 Play-Off Final in 1999, played on his 21st birthday.

Halifax Town & Northampton Town

He left Scunthorpe at the end of the 2000/01 season, joining Halifax Town on a free transfer. He spent one season at Halifax and, despite their relegation he ended up as their top scorer with 11 goals from 49 games.

From Halifax he moved on to Northampton Town, again on a free transfer. He spent the 2002/03 season and half of the 2003/04 season at Northampton, playing 66 games and scoring 3 goals.

Macclesfield Town

Halfway through the 2003/04 season Harsley moved to Macclesfield Town, helping them avoid relegation from Division 3 in his first season before a successful season in 2004/05 when they made it into the League 2 play-offs (Divisions 1 to 3 were renamed following a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola). Despite scoring in the play-off semi-final Macclesfield were knocked out by Lincoln City. The following season was a disappointing one again with Macclesfield again fighting relegation. Harsley left at the end of the season having played 117 games for Macclesfield, scoring 12 goals.

Port Vale

Harsley moved to Port Vale on a free transfer for the start of the 2006/07 season, taking up shirt number 8. Despite Vale's relegation in 2007/08, the season had its high points for Harsley as he was captain of the side and also player of the year. At the end of the season Harsley was out of contract and decided to move on after turnng down a new deal at Vale Park.

Chesterfield

Harsley signed for Chesterfield at the end of the 2007/2008 season on a 'Bosman' free transfer after Port Vale's relegation to Football League Two.

External links

*soccerbase|id=9749|name=Paul Harsley