A TOP football physio and fitness coach — born on the Isle of Wight — has continued his privileged association with the England youth set-up after accepting a new contract.

Tony Harris, well known in the Island football scene for many years as a player, coach and FA tutor, was first appointed as the England Schoolboys U18 physio and fitness coach in 2016, and has been a member of its management team the past five seasons.

In that period, England have won the Centenary Shield twice — this year and in 2017.

The team's most recent success saw the Three Lions go unbeaten against the four other home nations.

"My contract with the England team had finished, so I left the post after last season's Centenary Shield was completed," said Tony.

"But I received a phone call from the current manager earlier this year, asking me to return to work with the squad, which I was very happy to do.

"It is always a privilege to be able to work with talented young players. We had a great squad this year." 

Tony, who was club physio at Newport's former St Georges stadium for several seasons, is also involved in the development of the England girls' U15s.

An FA tutor since 2000, Tony has delivered courses to Island coaches and is an Isle of Wight school games organiser, creating sporting opportunities for all pupils.

Tony is pivotal in children's football development on the Island — running a girls' academy under the School Sports Partnership umbrella, as well as the Little Kickers programme for the U5s and, more recently, in establishing community football initiatives, run in partnership with the Isle of Wight Sports Unit.

They include an over-40s scheme, which still runs 12 years on, as well as popular walking football initiative, Arthritico MadRyde, established in 2012.

Tony loves to dovetail his Island sporting work alongside his rewarding — and demanding — England role. 

"It would be fantastic to see an Island player come to the regional trials and progress to the final squad of 18 for international games," explains Tony, who has been involved in running training camps in Valencia, Milan, Manchester, Lillishall's National Sports Centre and England's St Georges Park.

"There was an international U18 schoolboy game held at St George's Park on the Island — Newport v Finland — in 2003, so it would be fantastic to bring another fixture to the Island if we could arrange it."

Among his many achievements, Tony penned a football fitness book, Fitness Training For Soccer, published in 2002.