In the midst of the build up to the big game with Southend and a Bank Holiday double header, some very disappointing news slightly played second fiddle. It only felt right to take a bit of time to properly acknowledge the departure of Harry Pritchard following the mutual termination of his contract due to ‘health reasons.’
Joining the Bees as part of the summer re-build of 2022, he was described by Dean Brennan from the off as “low maintenance,” and a top professional. It didn’t take long for this to be apparent to those spectating and for him to quickly look like a very shrewd bit of business.
A late comer to the professional game, Pritchard had never played higher than the Conference South until 2017, when a solid National League season with Maidenhead (his 7th season there) earned him his big break in the Football League. Spells with first Blackpool (2018-19 in League One) and then Bradford City (2019-21 in League Two) produced some positive moments but by 2021 he was back at this level with Eastleigh.
Following a solid season with The Spitfires, there were eyebrows raised when he left and much enthusiasm met his arrival at Barnet. Despite joining just shy of his 30th birthday, it soon became apparent we’d signed a player perhaps peaking late and he became an immediate asset.
Harry Pritchard embodied exactly what Barnet Football Club needed in the summer of 2022. An honest, hard-working, committed, skilful player who would run through walls for the team. It didn’t take long for his many attributes to be highlighted. Perhaps his real notable introduction came in his sixth appearance, against former club Eastleigh, where he got on the scoresheet and dominated the midfield in a 3-1 televised win.
It felt very quickly like Pritchard just ‘got it,’ at Barnet and appeared to be playing with a smile on his face, when not gritting his teeth in endeavour. Two goals in the final minutes to secure a 1-3 away win at Bromley in October further cemented the adoration of the Barnet support. By Christmas, he’d hit 8 goals from midfield, including memorable strikes in victories away at Oldham and home to Wealdstone.
Into 2023, Pritchard’s contribution continued to be essential to a play off charge. After a quieter spell in front goal, a week in the Spring arguably contained his finest goalscoring exploits, on a number of fronts.
First was the second strike in a 0-2 win at Wealdstone. A cool finish matched with a very satisfying celebration. Pritchard played up to the BT Sport cameras as he knee slid with cupped ears towards a particularly vitriolic corner of the Ruislip Neanderthals’ home support. Some great pictures and short videos ensued. A memory that will always raise a smile.
Just three days later, he followed this up with a superb strike and performance in a battling 1-1 draw at fellow high-flyers, Woking. However, the most dramatic moment of his season, time at Barnet and perhaps in the club’s modern history came the next Saturday.
Gateshead away in the FA Trophy Semi Final. A nightmare first half saw us 3-1 down at the break (having trailed 3-0) with Wembley dreams in tatters.
Despite the ultimate heartbreak of a penalty shootout, Harry’s contribution to the most unthinkable of comebacks that afternoon puts his name in Barnet folklore. An 80th minute strike was followed by him stabbing home a 102nd minute equaliser to provoke utter mayhem in the away end, making it 3-3. If you can face it, watch the clip of the fans after that goal. Just look what he did to them. Barnet only scored one penalty in the shootout that followed - no prizes for guessing who stepped up and delivered in that scenario, too.
The ‘Mr Reliable’ tag is often a lazy cliche for a player and sometimes a bit of a cover for ‘tries hard, but isn’t that good.’ This certainly didn’t apply to Harry Pritchard. His reliability but also quality was evident as he continued to contribute big moments in every game. Literally. As one of the core members of an ever more successful Barnet side during 2022/23, Pritchard played every minute of every game - until the final day. Having already secured a play off spot, he was rested for the last league match, denying him a 100% record of both games and minutes that season.
He was back for the play off match with Boreham Wood, though. It was a disappointing night all round, but in retrospect, highlighted his contribution hugely. It was him who pulled Barnet back into the game on the night with a goal to make it 1-2. There were various other moments in the game, including one huge tackle where he very much stepped up where others didn’t. For the team, it wasn’t to be, but he could walk off the pitch head held perhaps the highest.
Pritchard ended his first season at the club winning both Manager’s and Player’s Player of the Year awards. In a team full of success stories, he was right up there. Following the news of his departure, Brennan cited him as one of his top 3 signings for Barnet. It’s hard to argue with that assessment.
2023/24 started with Pritchard less amongst the goals, following an impressive tally of 16 in his first season. Nonetheless, he was a fixture in the team as we flirted with top spot during the opening months.
A fine strike at York City away in a sensational team performance opened his account for the season in September and by Christmas, he’d notched seven in total. A late penalty to secure a big win at Southend United on Boxing Day, adding to his tally for the calendar year.
The second half of the season saw injury problems deny quite the same level of appearance consistency. However, he still featured in 40 league outings and continued to add much from the midfield, ending the season with 10 goals.
It proved a sad note to end on. Pritchard’s final appearance came in the Play Off Semi Final disaster at home to Solihull. He hadn’t played for a few weeks and didn’t look quite himself on the day, although he was far from alone in this aspect.
In just two years with the club, he managed 102 appearances and 26 goals - a highly impressive ratio for a midfield player. During one game last season, I forget the opposition or indeed the moment that sparked it, I turned to one of my regular compatriots with the following statement: I can’t think of a Barnet team in the last 25 years of watching that Pritchard wouldn’t have fitted into. My friend, with a few extra years watching on top of mine, agreed with this statement. I believe the conclusion to the conversation was something along the lines of, “he’s just a proper man!” Indeed.
Undoubtedly, Harry will always be welcome back at Barnet FC. Definitely one who should be invited back for the first game back in Barnet to be celebrated as one of the best to wear the shirt during The Hive era. His part in dragging the club back to somewhere like where it should be on the pitch cannot be underestimated and won’t be forgotten by those that witnessed him play for us.
All at Downhill Second Half wish him the best in his health and to see him hopefully back in football again, maybe one day in some capacity at the club…
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