Northern Ireland U-23 midfielder Jimmy Harvey was a young member of Terry Neill's squad at Arsenal. Initially with Glenavon, he was Ulster's "Young Player of the Year" in 1976/77 and moved to Highbury for £20,000 in August 1977. He played three First Division games for Arsenal prior to joining Hereford United in March 1980. A Welsh Cup finalist in 1981, he starred as The Bulls took the Gunners to an FA Cup third round replay in 1984/85, moving via Bristol City to Tranmere Rovers in October 1987. He helped win promotion twice and the Leyland DAF Cup in 1990, since managing Morecambe and now Forest Green Rovers.
Known afectionately in The Shire as Sir James, Harvey was the star of a ball playing midfield which saw plenty of ups and downs in the eighties. Of course, it's only the highs which are worth recalling. He was always a hearty competitor but it was his darting skillful forward runs that set him apart from the pack, often producing a flick or a deft touch that told you he was a classy but cheeky Irishman. It came as no surprise to Bulls fans when he was nominated in the PFA Division Four XI in 1984. I recall two particular games when the Harvey mischief was at it's best. In early 1985 we played some tinpot London outfit called Arsenal at Edgar Street in the third round. Harvey was simply magnificent as he orchestrated a Bulls team that more than matched their top flight opponants who had 'keeper Lukic to thank for earning them a chance of a replay. Tranmere fans will no doubt recall the "Lucky" Arsenel tag...yes, they scraped through 7-2 in the replay. On a brighter note, The Bulls travelled to Turf Moor in '87 to take on Burnley in the old Division 4. "Sir James" had been bed-ridden with flu for a week but took to the pitch heavily laden with kleenex. He proceeded to amaze Burnley's sub 2000 crowd with a display that epitomised the man. His sweetly struck penalty on 17 minutes preceeded a brace from Ollie Kearns and a hat-trick from Stewart Phillips as Hereford handed out a 6-0 spanking. Harvey had a hand in most of the goals as he threaded ball after ball through Burnley's rearguard to Kearns and Phillips. Harvey is still talked about at The Street and, come the time when Graham Turner hangs up his final teamsheet, there would be few complaints from Bulls fans if "Sir James" picked up the reins.
This article was originally written for the Total Tranmere Site.
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Next Game: Oxford City At Edgar Street On Tuesday 5th November At 7.45pm