Everton lose David Harrison to Manchester United

17/02/2023 21comments  |  Jump to last

Everton's Director of Football Operations, David Harrison, is calling time on 27 years with the club to take up the same role at Manchester United.

Nicknamed "Contract Dave" by Evertonians, a transfer was never truly done until he was pictured with a player signing his paperwork at Finch Farm.

He will be succeeded by his assistant, Jonathan Williams, on an interim basis, with a full-time replacement expected to be appointed in the summer.

A prior employee of United before he joined Everton, Harrison made the step up from Box Office Manager to become Club Secretary in 2002.

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In parallel to his role at Everton, which eventually transitioned to director of football operations, he served as a non-Executive Director of Liverpool County FA, a member of the European Club Association and frequently took part in Premier League working groups.

Harrison will move to Old Trafford at the end of this month, where he will be reunited with current director of football, John Murtough, who was previously a sports scientist and director of development at Everton. 

Harrison will report to Murtough and ensure that all football operations for Man Utd’s men’s, women’s and academy teams run as smoothly and effectively as possible. 

Speaking about the news, Harrison said: “I’m excited to be taking this role at a time of such opportunity and promise for Manchester United. 

“I will always cherish my memories of 27 years at Everton and wish everyone at Goodison and Finch Farm all the best for the future. 

“Now, my focus is on helping Manchester United create the best possible operating environment to support success on the pitch.” 

 

Reader Comments (21)

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Tony Everan
1 Posted 17/02/2023 at 13:45:43
Do they need a new chairman ? We can do a BOGOF deal.
Charles Brewer
2 Posted 17/02/2023 at 14:34:49
Tony, I think in Kenwright's case, a FUKOF deal would be preferable.
Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 17/02/2023 at 14:49:02
Would it be overly simplistic to assert that this bloke, who I know very little about, has been in a very prominent position within the club, and directly involved in all the poor recruitment of especially the last 7 years?

Not the best thing to have on your resume, I would have thought, unless it includes a caveat: "All the crap stuff that happened on my watch was Bill's fault!"

Ian Pilkington
4 Posted 17/02/2023 at 15:04:38
27 years of service coinciding with 27 years since we last won a trophy. I am glad he will always cherish his memories, clearly another member of the management team satisfied with failure.
Kunal Desai
5 Posted 17/02/2023 at 15:04:44
Just another yes-man. Nothing less expected from these idiots, I guess, instead of trying to go down the external recruitment process.
Barry Hesketh
6 Posted 17/02/2023 at 15:11:33
Alan Myers is disappointed that David Harrison has left Goodison for Old Trafford:

Disappointing news that Dave Harrison is leaving Everton, a top professional, extremely loyal to the club, and a great friend! Manchester United's gain!

Kieran Kinsella
7 Posted 17/02/2023 at 15:17:09
I wonder if he was mentioned in Kevin Thelwell's 120-point plan? Never even heard of him before but good riddance.
John Pickles
8 Posted 17/02/2023 at 15:30:05
If he was only visible alongside new signings, then it's no surprise no-one remembers him.
Michael Kenrick
9 Posted 17/02/2023 at 15:30:45
In his fanboy rewrite of this story, Lyndon has subtlely deleted from my write-up what I think is the most important boast about David Harrison and his time at Everton, per the official website:

"He has worked extremely closely with the Chairman, Team Managers and Chief Executives on many high-profile and complex player acquisitions for the Club."

The idea that he has done anything approaching a good job with that sort of stain on his record is mind-boggling. But no doubt Bill has sent him down the East Lancs with a glowing recommendation.

Let's hope he brings something of "The Everton Way" to Man Utd that has blighted this club these last 27 years…

Geoff Lambert
10 Posted 17/02/2023 at 16:20:12
What a load of rubbish spoken about a guy who has just been headhunted by one of if not the biggest football clubs in the world. If you don't know anything about him stop talking shite.
Kieran Kinsella
12 Posted 17/02/2023 at 16:21:51
Harrison Out
Danny O’Neill
13 Posted 17/02/2023 at 16:37:00
I read a lot about Everton and follow them around the country.

Can someone better educated tell me what he's done in 27 years?

Because until now I hadn't heard of him.

Rob Rothwell
14 Posted 17/02/2023 at 16:45:43
Who's replacing him?

Or is the position now void given our current stance on new signings.

Geoff Lambert
16 Posted 17/02/2023 at 16:47:32
Danny! Give Manchester Utd a call!
Danny O’Neill
17 Posted 17/02/2023 at 16:50:32
I could do, Geoff… but they also took Moyes.
Geoff Lambert
18 Posted 17/02/2023 at 16:59:08
How thankful was I for that. Haha.
Mark Taylor
19 Posted 17/02/2023 at 17:15:05
Thank god for that. When I saw the headline, I thought we'd lost a promising reserve striker.

To be fair to this bloke, it appears his work consists in tying down the loose ands and contracts on the misfits others have decided to sign, so he can't be blamed much for our current plight. As another poster mentions, one might even conclude he has jumped before being pushed with redundancy. Let's face it, he must have had a quiet January.

What does amuse me is this 'title inflation'. You go from being Club Secretary to the rather grander Director of Football Operations. Very impressive. Is the doorman going to be retitled 'Director of Aperture Services'?

Dave Abrahams
20 Posted 17/02/2023 at 17:20:51
Geoff (11),

Are you sure he was headhunted by Man Utd?

The man who took him to United is an old friend, they worked together at Everton for a few years although he looks as though he has done well for himself after starting in the ticket office at Man Utd.

Being honest, he could be a wizard at his job – it's just that I've never heard of him… unless he is related to Eric Harrison who was poached from Everton by United many years ago as the new coach of their Academy.

Geoff Lambert
22 Posted 17/02/2023 at 17:49:00
Yes, Dave, I am sure. He is well known by all the agents and club secretaries and regarded as the best at what he does.
Phil Wood
23 Posted 18/02/2023 at 02:04:06
You've got to laugh. Someone is headhunted by one of the biggest clubs in World football but ToffeeWebbers claim he must be crap because he comes from a crap operation.

There is many a top footballer who has been part of a crap team. Messi with 10 crap players around him would be written off as a loser.

Kieran Kinsella
24 Posted 18/02/2023 at 02:38:16
Phil,

Where's the loyalty? He's been here 27 years and gets his head turned at the first opportunity.

Kidding. I've no idea who this guy is or what he does so speaking for myself my comments on him were faux outrage meant to be tongue in cheek.

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