Harry Viggars has been one of the best Northern Counties East League Premier Division centre-halves for the past five years.
Apart from a brief stint with Ossett United in 2020, he’s been with Hemsworth Miners Welfare for almost forever after coming through their under 19s and he’s played a key role in their rise from the lower reaches of Division One to Premier Division promotion contenders. He’s the subject of this week’s Player Profile.
Name
Harry Viggars
Current Club
Hemsworth Miners Welfare
Age
24
Previous Clubs
Ossett United, Pontefract Collieries
Day Job
Greenkeeper
Best Mate in Football
Met too many good lads over the years through football. Grown up playing with local lads though Nash Connolly, Cameron Clark and Adam Wilson.
Team you support
Barnsley
Football Idol
Steven Gerrard
Biggest Influence on footballing career
Benno/Chick/Harty (Wayne Benn, Andy Hayward, Andy Hart) for well over 7 years. Shaun Pugh as well, he brought a great set of lads through at Hemsworth (as under 19s manager).
Career Highlight
Being at Barnsley academy for three years.
Lowest Moment in Football
Tearing my ligaments away at Penistone or when Ponty Colls pipped us to promotion (in 2015). They beat us at home to more or less seal it.
Most Memorable Match
Had so many great wins/days but getting promoted (NCEL Division One) away at Dronfield (in 2016) and the last minute winner against Liversedge in Danville/Harty’s first game in charge.
Funniest Moment in Football
Chicks retirement game was quality. Hemsworth took a bus full of fans all wearing a Chick face mask. Luke Danville was in the net and Benno was wearing an elephant costume in the stands. Somehow we won 2-1.
First semi-professional manager and club
Brendon Ormsby at Pontefract
Non League Debut
Weirdly enough it was against Benno’s Goole in a pre season friendly (circa 2013).
First Red Card (at semi-professional level)
Playing away at Irlam in the FA Vase (2018/19). My mate Eddie Cass’ first game at Hemsworth. Late tackle and a few handbags with one of there lads and we were both off.
First Goal (at semi-professional level)
Bottesford away 2013 (for Hemsworth). Skipped through a few and went round the keeper, I was a striker at the time.
What do you want to achieve in football in the future
Obviously as everyone else I want to play as high as possible. It was hard leaving Ossett because they were a great set of lads and a great club but it just wasn’t right for me. I think I’d like to get into scouting eventually.
Favourite Non League Ground I’ve played at (barring your own club)
Bishop Auckland sticks out. Great setup and pitch was a carpet.
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