THE McCarthys contributed significantly to Ben Harrison settling into life as a hot prospect for Warrington Wolves.

Moving in with teammate Tyrone’s family home in Warrington as a 16-year-old, having grown up in Cumbria, provided him with a stable environment that he will always be grateful for.

“They didn’t trust me to live on my own, which was probably wise,” said Harrison.

“I’d have games with Warrington Academy and the McCarthys were happy to put me up, to save me travelling back.

“I’d come down Friday, train Friday, stay at Tyrone’s mum and dads, play Saturday and then I’d go home.

“So I had a bit of a living relationship at the point they were looking at my arrangements.

“Tyrone’s parents, Sarah and Sean, said ‘he’s practically living here anyway’, and because I was that close with Tyke (Tyrone) as friends, they said it’s no bother.

“They treated me like one of their own which was amazing. It really softened the integration of moving in at the club, moving away from my parents, family and friends.

“It helped to have that family environment already stabilised, and then I had the friends I was playing with so it made it so much easier than if I’d gone into an apartment or house on my own.

“Tyke, best man at my wedding, is still a really close mate even though he’s in Australia now (signed with St George Illawarra Dragons). The same with Sarah, Shaun, they’re like family to me.

“They will stay in my life forever, like a lot of people throughout the club – including supporters and the backroom people who’ve looked after me.

“It’s been a real family experience which I’m very grateful for and is part of the reason why I’ve stayed so long.”

The speed at settling in was reflected in making his first-team debut at the age of 17.

“It was an environment and a team whereby we were given a really good chance to prove ourselves under Paul Cullen,” he said.

“It was a great experience. The club started really investing in the youth and Paul put a lot of time into that area.

“You can see the foundations that Paul put through the club that has been brought on in this period.

“It was his plans, with the board and Simon Moran, that really came to fruition and helped the club to take an extra step.”