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He credits the inspirational women in his life with helping him to achieve his dream of playing professional football – and now Harry Lewis has become a Her Game Too Player Advocate for Bradford City Football Club.
The goalkeeper joins the club’s existing Player Advocate, midfielder Jamie Walker, in helping to promote football as a game for all and champion women in the sport at Bradford City.
Harry started his career in the Shrewsbury Town youth system, signing when he was eight years old and following in the footsteps of his grandad Ken Mulhearn – who made 370 appearances for Shrewsbury as a goalkeeper in the 1970s and early 80s.
Spells with Southampton and Dundee United followed, before the 25-year old joined Her Game Too partner club Bradford City in the summer of 2022.
The former England under-18s international played in the League Two side’s Her Game Too dedicated fixture against Hartlepool United in March this year and it was through that he learnt more about the campaign and wanted to champion the cause.
“I’m a big believer that you have a platform as a footballer, especially in a city like Bradford where everyone in this city loves football,” he said.
“We’re a League Two club and we were getting 20,000 on the gate at some games last season, so I see myself as having a responsibility to be a role model and boost inclusion.
“I feel that’s an important part of my job – not just keeping the ball out of the net on a Saturday – but there’s an impact I believe I and other members of the squad can have on Bradford City and the wider footballing community.”
Like anyone who has managed to pursue a career in professional sport, Harry needed the support of his loved ones along the way – and his mum has been one of several females in his life who have helped make his aspiration of playing in goal a reality.
“My mum and dad separated when I was little and me and my two brothers lived with my mum.
“She was a teaching assistant at the time it must have been hard for her, but she made sure I got to training on time and facilitated whatever I needed to play.
“She’d be taking me to training and sitting in the car doing a degree in her spare time – my mum knows she’s my hero.
“She knows it’s down to her and the sacrifices she made from what she put in as a parent with three boys within four years of each other.”
Harry is expecting his first child next year with his girlfriend Liv, who he says has been a huge support in his playing career and describes as a “massive inspiration to me”.
“With a potential son or daughter on the way right now, I’ll be taking the tools my mum gave me and my girlfriend isn’t a mother yet, but in my eyes she’s caring and nurturing and has all the qualities I’d want from a life partner.
“I live my life now with another amazing woman.”
Through his new role with Her Game Too, Harry wants to help Valley Parade continue to be a place where supporters of all ages and genders feel welcome.
“There’s always been a great representation of both males and females at our games and I feel like Bradford is quite a family club – we’re always signing stuff before games for the boys and girls who come to watch, we have mascots and it’s nice to see it’s not just young lads – we get both genders and all ages.”
Last season, Bradford City Women played both their FA Women’s National League Division One games against Newcastle United Women in the stadiums where the two clubs’ men’s first teams play their matches.
Following the away fixture at St James’s Park, the Bantams hosted the Lady Magpies at Valley Parade in their final game of the season in April – and Harry was among the supporting spectators in the stands.
“I went along and watched and Newcastle won on the day but it was a fantastic spectacle.
“As a first team player, I was there representing the men’s team and it was fantastic to see these two sets of women getting the opportunity to play on the same pitch, in the same stadium, we play on week in week out.
“It’s important Bradford has a women’s team because I remember playing football with girls at school and they’d be playing on the school team and were important members of the team.
“Football is everyone’s game.”
As one of Bradford City’s two Her Game Too Player Advocates, Harry hopes to have the opportunity to support this season’s Her Game Too dedicated fixture against Mansfield Town on March 16, to attend more Bradford City Women’s games and to help encourage more women to become involved in playing football and supporting Bradford City.
He will also be working alongside the club’s Her Game Too Fan Ambassador Dhriti Ahir and Fan Advocate Laura Sheerin in promoting the campaign.
Dhriti said: “I’m delighted to welcome Harry to the team and I’m sure he will be a great advocate for the campaign, alongside Jamie Walker who was announced earlier this year.
“I’m hoping to work with Harry, Jamie and Bradford City AFC to promote Her Game Too’s values through our dedicated fixtures which are planned for March 2024 and also any events throughout the year.”
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