How working for Glentoran helped former Irish League star rediscover buzz ahead of playing comeback

The 31-year-old earned a dream move to Dundee United from Portadown in 2013 before returning home with Dungannon Swifts six years later.

Harwood also went on to spend time in the Irish League at Ards and Ballymacash Rangers, but with the joy for playing no longer what it once was as priorities changed, he opted to step away.

Holding a love for photography and content creation, Harwood has spent recent years snapping pictures for the Premiership giants on matchday and helping to reveal their new star signings – the latest project was unveiling the club’s home shirt for next season.

Harwood is now ready to be on the other side of the touchline once again after a three-year hiatus, joining Amateur League club Bryansburn Rangers this week.

"I did a podcast recently with Johnny McMurray, I grew up playing football with him and we both got chatting,” he said. “He's looking to get back into it and I thought with the Glens playing a lot of their matches on a Friday night that it opened up a chance to scratch that itch.

"It has been there for a while so I thought 'why not?'.

"After the podcast I had a few teams call me. Andrew Wallace (new Bryansburn manager) called, when he was at Sirocco I trained there for a while, and I said that my main thing coming back was to enjoy it.

"With a familiar face there at training and matches, that's half the battle, and I know a few of the guys there.

"We started pre-season this week - it's probably been the worst week to start with the heat, but it has been great! Andy and I had a chat on the phone about three or four weeks ago and I know he's a great coach, it was a no-brainer.”

While Harwood was once spurred on by chasing his professional football dream, this latest chapter is all about enjoyment.

With life busy off the pitch after launching fitness business PRFM Training in Belfast last year alongside working for the Glens, playing once again acts as the perfect release for Harwood.

"I was working at a gym when I was at the Swifts,” he added. “I was training in Dungannon a few times per week and wasn't getting home until near 12am and was up at 5am to open the gym.

"Priorities change a bit and travelling to Dungannon wasn't ideal. I didn't miss it during lockdown and thought it was adding more stress...we all play to enjoy it and I didn't for a good bit of time.

"Taking a few years away made me appreciate it a bit more and I got that itch and everything lined up. I want to enjoy it and I really have during this first week back.

"When you take a step away, you do have that itch and players will always try and get involved somehow, whether it's in coaching or something else. I jumped at the chance to get back playing."

People like Harwood have helped elevate the Irish League to another level, developing a more professional product for clubs away from the pitch while standards continue to rise on it.

It was a phone call from a friend that got the ball rolling with his Glens association and working at The Oval fulfilled his football fix when the desire for playing went missing.

However, Harwood now has the buzz back and is excited to get started with his new club.

"I have always been into photography and creating content,” he said. “One of my friends was the social media guy there years ago and he reached out for me to come and do a game.

"Since then, I have stuck at it. It's usually two or three days a week, thankfully with my job I have the afternoon free when they train so I can pop over and get what I need. I do matchdays as well.

"The Glens squad off the pitch is fantastic, I couldn't wish for better, and we know each other on a personal level.

"When I'm at The Oval, there's no pressure on me with the camera, but being on the other side of it is a different game!

"For 18 months to two years, Glentoran scratched that itch when I wasn't playing, but now I'm doing both. It's great having the buzz back.”