Harry Lewis comes home to thank coaches

The former Meole Brace student represented his school and his county with distinction and captained SSCFA for his three years with them.

Mark said: “Harry was not only a great goalkeeper for us but also a fantastic role model who played almost every game for his county. He has kept in touch since his well-deserved transfer to Southampton and I was delighted to receive the shirt on behalf of SSCFA.

“Harry is an engaging individual and it was great to see him again and to spend some time talking about football and his experiences from last season.”

During his 10 years of managing Shropshire teams Hignett has managed a number of players who have gone on to make a career of playing football, but he counts Lewis as the best and says that it was obvious from the first trial when he was just 14 that he had everything required to make it.

“Forging a career in football requires much more than just footballing ability,” said Hignett. “What made Harry stand out was his dedication, desire to improve and all-round excellent attitude.

“He genuinely appreciated every opportunity to represent Shropshire and did so with real pride and loyalty. He was always the first to thank the staff after games and to ask when the next game would be. He took nothing for granted and was very humble but was, at the same time, a very confident boy.”

Shropshire, and Meole Brace Secondary School in particular, have an impressive record of producing goalkeepers and England age-group international Lewis has both the ability and attitude to be right up there with the best.

This will be an exciting season for the former Shrewswbury Town shot-stopper as he signed a new three-year deal with the Saints before joining Scottish outfit Dundee United on a season-long loan.

Lewis’s shirt will be proudly hung at the SSSCFA office alongside those from other past players Joe Hart, Dave Edwards and Billy Jones.