Born in Belfast, Ireland, Harold came to Tasmania in 1951 and was integral part to the development of the game on the North-West coast.
He first played for Burnie Celtic, making his senior debut at the tender age of 14 years old. He moved on to Devonport in 1964 where he became synonymous with the game and the club.
Harold was a great inside-forward and a lethal marksman, but was also noted for his tricky wing play. He represented the State eight times over 11 years, scoring two goals, and was selected to represent the North-West Association to play against the North and Southern Association’s numerous occasions during the fifties and sixties.
On retirement from playing, Harold became a committee member of the Devonport City Football Club for many years, eventually becoming its President. He helped instigate and organise the club’s famous “Night Series” between northern and north-west teams which was extremely popular at the time, including the novelty of playing under lights. He became a Life Member of the club in 1981.
In 2012 the club’s Best & Fairest Award was named in his honour. Harold was involved with the merging of Mersey United and Devonport in 1966 to form what is now the Devonport City Strikers.
As part of the clubroom redevelopment in 2022, the Strikers officially opened the Harold Pattison Memorabilia Room.
Harold’s hard work and dedication has been a tremendous factor in the growth and success of the game and the Devonport club for more than thirty years.