IF, for any reason, John Harrison feared his time was up on the European Senior Tour after losing his card at the end of 2013, then the last week or so has reminded him of where he belongs.

Only this time, when he embarks on a fifth year on the circuit, he will have a bit of friendly North- East company along with him for the ride.

After 12 months of wondering where his next Tour opportunity would come from, having lost his card, former Barnard Castle pro Harrison played his way to reclaiming his playing privileges at Qualifying School last week along with Eaglescliffe Golf Club’s Graeme Bell.

“I’ve had four nice years playing on the Tour and I only had three starts last year, so it will be great to get back on full-time,” said Harrison. “It’s another chance for me to prove myself again. I want to play and to get the chance now to have 14 or more events - I’m looking forward to playing against the top players in Europe again.”

Harrison felt his chance had gone in Portugal last week when his third round 75, four over, had threatened his hopes. Then, on the final day, he stunned the field with a blistering 68 to finish on one over for the four days to claim one of the coveted top six spots that earned a card.

Bell, who was in contention throughout, finished level with Harrison and three others in a tie for second behind runaway Q-School winner Ken Tarling, from Canada.

Harrison said: “I’m really pleased for Graeme too. Two years ago he was leading and had a really bad last round, so when he three putted on the last I feared for him, but luckily there were a few three putts there. He’s a great little player and this Tour will give him an opportunity. I think he will grasp it. He’s a really good player but he’s just not had that opportunity.”

The duo are friends from the circuit, dating back years, and were actually involved in one another’s preparations for Q-School. If they are superstitious, they should think about repeating the build-up when the Senior Tour starts in May-June.

Bell, a 51-year-old from Hartlepool, said: “I’m just delighted that I’ve actually done it now. I was leading the first time I went to Q-School and messed it up, so it’s great to just get over the line this time.

“It’s great that John and I both qualified too. We had been staying together in the early part of that week, so it was great to see him come from nowhere to get a card too.

“I’m just over the moon. It was going to be a lot easier but I hit my ball over the fence behind a tree and hurt my hand. After that I kept carving the ball right and then I just stumbled in after that. But it was just like taking a test and passing it.”

Bell, whose best finish was a tied 26th placing at the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship last June, finished with a four-over par 75 on the final day. His previous rounds of 67,73 and 70 were enough to land him his first Senior Tour card, even if he has played numerous times by virtue of different qualifying routes or invitations.

It is satisfaction all-round, though, with Harrison – whose brothers Philip and Steve played on the European Tour - savouring the moment even if he did not think it was going to happen again after a dreadful start last week.

“It’s amazing. I had a torturous time overall,” said the Newcastle-based 54-year-old. “I had a treble on the first day, a treble on the second day and three putted the last from three feet on the third. So you think those things will come back to haunt you.

“I played really nicely in the final round though and I think sometimes when you are in the situation I was, when you have to make birdies, it is easier than when you try to hold on. It made me more positive.”

Harrison can focus on trying to better his previous years on the Senior Tour. He finished a career best 32nd in the Order of Merit having ended up 41st in his rookie year. It was during those two early campaigns when he finished fifth at the Handa Senior Masters, as well as securing five other top 20 finishes.