Ross County wing back George Harmon is proof that leaving top academies is not the end for players after making 100th Staggies appearance, says manager Don Cowie
Don Cowie believes George Harmon is the perfect example of how much players can benefit from taking a short-term step back to aid their development.
The former West Bromwich Albion academy player made his 100th appearance for Ross County against Dundee United last Sunday, almost three years after signing from English sixth-tier side Oxford City.
Harmon was 20 years old when dropping out of a top academy and into part-time football, but it paid dividends for him as he caught the eye of then-Staggies boss Malky Mackay, who brought him to Dingwall.
Since then, he has been involved in some major moments – memorably scoring the equalising goal in County’s dramatic play-off escape against Partick Thistle, and also finding the net in the club’s first ever win over Rangers last year.
"I would say he’s a fantastic team-mate, a fantastic professional and that's why he's made 100 appearances for this club,” manager Don Cowie said of Harmon.
“It's no mean feat in this day and age. He came here on the back of being in part-time football and made that transition when he first came in.
“He's been part of very big moments at this club since he's been here. For him to make 100 appearances, he should be extremely proud and it's a reflection of the way he goes about his business every single day.
“It just shows the importance of doing your homework. Everyone maybe gets caught up in the full-time and professional environment of recruiting players.
“We've done it with a couple of players. Max Sheaf came up and played his part within the club last season and he was part of the group this year as well.
“George is someone who came from the West Brom Academy, so he had the fundamentals and had been in the structure of football.
“He took the step back into part-time football, and it just shows that sometimes making that backward step can get rewarded. He’s definitely a beacon for that.”
Harmon’s progress, and rise back up to the top flight of Scottish football, may well be inspirational for other players who have had to drop down a level in order to play regular minutes.
In theory, it should be easier now for quality to make an impression even at lower levels of the game than it was years ago because of the coverage that tiers down the pyramid receives on social media.
Cowie believes that is the case in reality, too, and says that younger players leaving club academies should remain optimistic about their futures.
“I think football is covered at every level now, and to be able to identify talent in the lower leagues becomes slightly easier,” he reasoned.
“You've still got to do the work and have the information of what you're looking for, but in terms of people getting caught up in being released from a professional club and thinking their journey as a footballer is over, that's definitely not the case.
“There have been umpteen examples of that, even at a higher level.
“Even in the English Premier League, you're never too old to keep getting better and progressing. It's about just staying focused and having that enjoyment and you get the rewards for it.”
Cowie and Ross County have received a boost ahead of this Saturday’s game against Aberdeen as Michee Efete has returned to full training, leaving only Ryan Leak as an injury absentee.