Harrogate footballer looking to score Blackburn Rovers to promotion
Blackburn Rovers may have just defeated Harrogate Town in the Carabao Cup, but one important local player was missing from the team sheet.
Harry Leonard, 19, was raised in Harrogate and attended Grove Road Community Primary School before moving on to Rossett School.
His family came to the town from Rochdale 12 years ago.
Harry, who now plays up front for Rovers, began his career with Killinghall Nomads before moving on to Pannal Sports.
He joined Blackburn Rovers at the age of nine.
Harry told the Stray Ferret that it was “unbelievable” to be accepted into such an institute.
During his climb through the ranks, he met players like Jordan Rhodes, who scored 84 goals for Blackburn over a four-year period, and midfielder Bradley Dack.
In December 2021, he signed his first professional contract.
He stated at the time:
“It’s a small step in what I hope will be a long career here.”
“You make a lot of sacrifices by moving to the area at such a young age, and a lot of hard work has gone into it, so I’d like to think that the hard work is paying off, but in football, you can’t hold back.” You must persevere and keep working.
Manager John Dahl Tomasson gave Harry his big opportunity when the club opened their season with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park.
Harry began and scored his first senior goal ten years after signing for Rovers.
He stated:
“I was overjoyed. It was a good win against a solid team.”
Despite playing alongside players such as Rhodes and Dack, Harry claims he has never had a single player on whom he has modeled his game.
In reality, most of his motivation comes from his surroundings.
Ricky O’Sullivan, his PE teacher at Rossett, and Ryan Ellis, his teacher at Grove Road Primary School, are two of those he credits with his success.
So far in the Championship, the 19-year-old has started all but one league game.
With games against local rivals Preston North End still to come, he feels the trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United is one of the most exciting.
“I’ve got friends who will be in the Leeds end.”
Harry, who is enjoying his first senior season in the Championship, said he is taking each game as it comes.
He met with coach Damian Johnson ahead of the season to discuss his strategy for the next season.
However, rather than setting a goal, the debate focused on establishing himself in the first team.
“I sat down with him at the start of the season and I resolved to try to secure my position on the team.
