Harry Pritchard returns to the National League as he pens Eastleigh deal

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The former Maidenhead United man spent three seasons in the Football League, gaining experience in both League One and Two.

Harry Pritchard, 28, has been through a lot in his footballing journey, starting out as a youngster at Spartan South Midlands Premier side Flackwell Heath.

In 2011, Pritchard was picked up by Burnham, then of the Southern Football League Division One Central. At just 18 years old, he made 10 league appearances and scored three goals, attracting the attention of Conference South teams.

Getting his move to Maidenhead United in 2012 as a 19-year-old, Pritchard worked his way up the ranks under the Alan Devonshire regime and made his senior debut that season for the Magpies. Playing in his second full season, the winger caught the eye at York Road, playing 34 games and scoring six times. He continued to improve and was a regular feature for the club over the coming seasons.

However, it wasn’t until the 2017/2018 season that Pritchard really made his breakthrough, when he had his best season for Maidenhead playing at the higher level of the National League. Bagging 26 goal contributions, it’s no wonder EFL clubs came swooping in.

In the summer of 2018, Blackpool announced that they had signed him from Maidenhead United. His first and only full season at the Seasiders was a successful one, playing a regular part in the Tangerines’ League One campaign.

Early in the 2019/20 season, Pritchard made the switch from Lancashire to Yorkshire to play for newly relegated Bradford City, in a bid for them to bounce straight back. However, his time at Valley Parade was plagued with injuries and dips in form.

This summer, he was released from his Bradford City contract, and arrived off the back of surgery on his back but looks to regain his fitness and play regularly for the Spitfires in the National League. Pritchard will offer dynamism in an attacking midfield role, and can certainly provide support to the likes of Tyrone Barnett and Ben House upfront.

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