Former youth team player Harry Worley has continued his fall through the League's after signing for Oxford United on a three-year deal. Worley, now 21-years-old, left County in July 2005 after being enticed by Premiership bigwigs Chelsea in a mega bucks deal although his hopes and dreams of stardom never came to fruition.
Like many other young players snapped up by Chelsea, Worley found it difficult to progress through the ranks at Stamford Bridge and he had to settle for youth team and reserve team football whilst with the Londoners. He was allowed to join Doncaster Rovers on loan in the 2006/07 season in order to play some competitive football and he made 10 appearances in League One before returning back to Chelsea. The closest Worley got to a first team appearance at Chelsea came at the start of the 2007/08 season, as he was named on the bench to face Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium. Harry actually came within inches of making his debut for Chelsea in that match as he was stripped and ready to come on as a sub in the dying minutes of the game although the final whistle went before the change could be made, thus denying him a first team appearance.
The following season told a similar story as once again Harry had to go out on loan in order to get first team football. He spent a month on loan at Carlisle where he made just 1 appearance and this was followed up by a three-month loan spell with Leicester City who were involved in an unsuccessful battle against relegation from the Championship. Harry became a permanent fixture at the Walkers Stadium as he was signed by Ian Holloway on a three-year deal after being released from his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Once again his footballing career failed to kick off, as he didn't make a single appearance in the first team for Leicester following his permanent transfer to the Foxes. The youngster spent two months on loan at Luton Town during the 2008/09 season before joining Crewe Alexandra in August 2009 in a five month loan spell. Harry went on to make 23 appearances for the Railwaymen during his time on loan although he became a free agent this summer after being released by new Leicester manager Paulo Sousa after being deemed surplus to requirements.
The Warrington born youngster has now joined League Two side Oxford United on a three-year deal after enjoying a successful trial period with the U's. The 6' 4" defender will come face to face with the Hatters in the opening six weeks of the new season as we meet Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday 18th September.
Harry has already faced County once in his career after leaving Edgeley Park, as he faced the Hatters in a Johnstone's Paints Trophy match whilst he on loan at Crewe Alexandra last season. The central defender didn't enjoy a happy return against his old club as Alex lost 4-1 with Carl Baker netting a hat-trick.