Former England bowler Steve Harmison joins non-league football side Ashington FC as manager

Harmison has been appointed as the manager of English ninth tier side Ashington AFC with immediate effect.

London, Feb 9: Former England fast-bowler Steve Harmison has been appointed as the manager of his home-town football club Ashington FC. Harmison will be taking over the side with immediate effect and his first game in charge will be away at Bishop Auckland on Tuesday night after a woeful 0-4 loss to Marske in the weekend, reports BBC.com.

Presently Ashington FC are struggling in divison one of the Ebac Northern League – the ninth tier of English football. Harmison, who grew up in Ashington, will be assisted by head coach Ian Skinner and Lee Anderson. The club’s chairman Ian Lavery,said, “All three have a wealth of experience in the sporting world and together can build on the success that Ashington Football Club have had since moving to Woodhorn Lane.”

Harmison has been a football fanatic from his childhood and would sometimes practice with Premier League side Newcastle United to stay fit when not playing for England. The 36-year-old was inspirational in re-claiming the Ashes from the Australians in 2005. He bowled with pace and had cut the then Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s face with a short ball. He has 226 Test wickets from 63 matches with an impressive average of 31.82.