The community of Telford is mourning the loss of legendary footballer Alan Harris, who has died at the age of 77. The former player, who made over 700 appearances for Wellington Town and Telford United between 1967 and 1980, passed away on Saturday, 28 March 2026.
Harris was a key figure in the history of the club, having been a member of the side that reached the first-ever FA Trophy final in 1970. He returned to Wembley with the team the following year to lift the trophy after a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Hillingdon Borough. In recognition of his 14 years of service to the club, he was inducted into the AFC Telford United Hall of Fame in 2010.
Beyond his football career, Harris built a successful path in the newspaper industry. After joining Wellington Town in 1967, he began working in the advertising department at the Shropshire Star. He eventually rose through the ranks to become the managing director of the Midland News Association, which publishes the Shropshire Star and the Express and Star.
His contributions to the club were celebrated during a 1978 benefit match that drew over 2,700 spectators and featured notable players including Bobby and Jack Charlton, Trevor Francis, and John Richards. AFC Telford United was formed in 2004 as a successor to the original club, which was founded in 1872 and held a deep place in the local community.
The club plans to pay tribute to Harris ahead of their home fixture against Kidderminster Harriers on Easter Monday, 6 April 2026, with further remembrances included in the match programme. Harris is survived by his widow, Jo, with whom he enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage, as well as his sons, Nick and David.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
