Terry Harkin (born March 27, 1941) is a former professional footballer from Northern Ireland who played as a forward. His career spanned the 1960s and 1970s, during which he competed in the English Football League, the Irish League, and the League of Ireland.
Early Career and Move to England Born in Derry, Harkin began his senior career in the Irish League with Portadown and Coleraine. His performances earned him a move to English football in 1962 when he signed for Nottingham Forest. He found limited first-team opportunities at Forest and moved to Shrewsbury Town in 1964. At Shrewsbury, Harkin established himself as an effective goalscorer, netting over 30 goals in league competition during his two-year stay.
Cardiff City and Later English Career In 1966, Harkin transferred to Cardiff City. During his time with the Welsh club, he contributed to their victory in the Welsh Cup and participated in the European Cup Winners' Cup. He remained with Cardiff until 1968, after which he had spells with several other English clubs, including Notts County, Southport, and Crewe Alexandra.
Return to Ireland Harkin returned to the island of Ireland in the early 1970s. He played for Dundalk in the League of Ireland before joining Finn Harps. During his tenure at Finn Harps, he was part of the squad that won the FAI Cup in 1974, the first major trophy in the club's history.
International Career Harkin represented the Northern Ireland national team between 1968 and 1970. He earned a total of five caps. His international debut occurred in a match against Israel, and he scored two goals for his country, both of which came during a World Cup qualification match against Turkey in October 1968.
Retirement After retiring from professional play, Harkin returned to his native Derry. He is regarded as a significant figure in the footballing history of his era, particularly within the context of Northern Irish players who transitioned successfully to the English professional leagues.