Harris was an amateur footballer, as well as a speedway rider.

In 1949 Harris was elected onto the board of the newly formed Bradford City AFC.  When the then manager David Steele was ill during the 1949/50 season, Harris stepped in to help the assistant manager George Jowett, run the team.  When Steele's contract was ended due to ill-health, Harris managed the team on an interim basis until Bradford appointed a new manager.