Everyone at Stockport County send their condolences to the family and friends of our former goalkeeper Harold Lea, who has died in hospital in Wigan after contracting coronavirus at the age of 88. He had recently suffered a heart attack and then sadly succumbed to the Covid-19 virus.
Harold started his
career in non-league with his home town club Wigan Athletic in 1955, following
his national service in the RAF. The highly sought after 25-year-old signed for
County as a part time professional in May 1958 and made his first team senior
debut with the visit of Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in October of that
year.
In his first season, he shared keeping duties with Arthur Barnard, in a
campaign that saw County relegated to the 4th Division for the first
time. But for the next three seasons he became County’s regular keeper whilst
also maintaining a career as a teacher at Upholland Grammar School. During his
time at Edgeley Park he made 130 appearances for The Hatters.
In 1959, when Harold was unavailable to travel to Torquay due to his school
commitments, County gave a sole League appearance to future England Amateur
international John Swannell, who was a student at Manchester University.
Whilst at County, Harold played in two notable FA Cup fixtures, against First
Division Burnley in January 1959 and Newcastle United in February 1961.
Remarkably, Harold had to travel up to the North East for the midweek game on
his own after taking morning lessons.
He was considered one of the most consistent and dependable goalkeepers in the lower divisions, and in 1962 it was tragic that he broke both legs in the space of just four months. Immediately before this it was reported that First Division clubs were watching his progress. Whilst he convalesced he was replaced by Graham Beighton and struggled to get back into the first team. His injuries effectively ended his career and he retired in 1964.
County historian Marcus Heap said: “Harold was the last
part-time professional to have a lengthy career as a player at County. He was
one of the last of that era to be able to combine two careers and for that he
should be admired. He was highly regarded and the fact he was able to achieve
this, was testament to his ability.”
Harold went on to run a very successful photographic retailing business with
eight shops across the North West. He was a good cricketer, appearing for a
County XI in the late 1950s, and also played golf, becoming club captain at
Wigan Golf Club in 1993.
He recently had a VIP trip to Wigan’s DW Stadium to watch them play Nottingham
Forest, where he was introduced to former County player, now Wigan manager,
Paul Cook. Paul said: “It was a pleasure to meet Harold and his family, we
discussed the difference in the facilities from when he played to what they are
now and how far the game has come since then.”
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Stockport County are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
