The New Saints boss Harrison explains drive to succeed

Harrison broke his leg when playing for Crystal Palace

The New Saints boss Craig Harrison has put his urge to succeed down to the injury that ended his playing career.

Harrison badly broke his leg with Crystal Palace ten years ago and never kicked a ball again professionally.

"I can't deny there were some dark times, having your boyhood dream taken away from you, but it's made me the man I am," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"Now I'm adamant I will put all that right by being the best and most successful manager I can be."

Harrison recently took over from the departed Mike Davies, and is ready to lead Saints into the second phase of their Welsh Premier campaign after the January winter break.

TNS are currently second in the table to Bangor but are targetting the title - and qualification for next season's European Champions League.

"Breaking my leg was a life-changing moment, even if I didn't realise it at the time," explained Harrison.

"The stress of it ended the relationship I was in, I moved back to the North East, and it's down to the support of my family that I got through it.

"If all that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have got into coaching and - where I am now - into management."