James Harper (footballer)

Last updated

James Harper
James Harper 23-07-21 1.png
Harper playing for Hull City in 2011
Personal information
Full name James Alan John Harper [1]
Date of birth (1980-11-09) 9 November 1980 (age 43) [1]
Place of birth Chelmsford, Essex, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) [1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Ascot United
Youth career
1994–2000 Arsenal
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2000–2001 Arsenal 0 (0)
2000–2001 → Cardiff City (loan) 3 (0)
2001–2010 Reading 312 (25)
2009–2010 → Sheffield United (loan) 21 (3)
2010 Sheffield United 13 (1)
2010–2012 Hull City 29 (1)
2012 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 5 (0)
2012–2014 Doncaster Rovers 27 (0)
2014 Barnet 6 (0)
2014–2016 Basingstoke Town 53 (0)
2016 Hayes & Yeading United 15 (1)
2016 Hungerford Town 1 (0)
2016–2017 Metropolitan Police 5 (0)
2017 Hendon 14 (0)
2018 Gosport Borough 10 (0)
2018 Walton Casuals 5 (1)
2018–2019 Gosport Borough 5 (0)
2019 Hendon 0 (0)
2019–2020 Uxbridge 9 (1)
2021 Windsor 0 (0)
2021– Ascot United 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:54, 30 March 2022 (UTC)

James Alan John Harper (born 9 November 1980) is an English footballer who plays for Ascot United.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Born in Chelmsford, Essex, [1] Harper attended the Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex. He started his career as a trainee with Arsenal, but as his first team opportunities were limited, he first went on loan to Cardiff City, before signing permanently for Reading for an undisclosed fee said to be "a substantial six-figure fee" at the end of February 2001. [2]

Reading

James had a real impact at Reading including playing a key role in a number of promotions and single handled defeat of Liverpool in Reading's only ever win over one of the premier leagues big four. After helping Reading to win the 2005–06 Football League Championship, and thus win promotion to the Premier League, he scored his first Premiership goals for Reading in a clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park, scoring twice despite losing 3–2. [3]

At the start of July 2007, Harper signed an improved three–year contract to keep him at Reading until the end of the 2009–10 season. [4]

Sheffield United

Harper joined Sheffield United in September 2009, on loan until the end of the season. [5] With his contract set to expire at the same time, Reading manager Brendan Rodgers admitted it was likely that he had played his last game for Reading. [6] Harper duly made his début for The Blades in an away victory at Derby County just under a fortnight later. [7] After being a regular in the first team from that point his loan deal was made permanent during the January transfer window, with Harper signing until the end of the season. [8] Harper was a regular starter for the remainder of the season notching up four goals in the process. At the end of the season however his contract was not extended further and he was released. [9]

Hull City

Harper began a trial with Hull City in early July 2010 following the arrival of Nigel Pearson as manager of the club. On 12 July 2010 it was announced that Harper had signed for Hull on a two-year contract. [10] He made his league debut on 23 October in the home match against Portsmouth when he came on, just after half time, to replace Nolberto Solano. [11] Harper scored his first goal for Hull City, with a long range strike against former club Reading in a 1–1 draw at the KC Stadium on 28 December 2010. [12]

On 24 January he moved to Wycombe Wanderers on a month-long loan. [13]

In May 2012 it was announced that his contract at Hull would not be extended and he was released by the club. [14]

On 26 July Harper joined Hungerford Town of the Southern Football League Division One South and West where close friend Bobby Wilkinson was Manager. [15] Harper featured in friendlies against Mortimer and Wokingham & Emmbrook to help build match fitness as he planned a return to league football. [16]

Doncaster Rovers

On 17 August 2012 Harper signed a one-year deal with Doncaster Rovers and made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 3 – 0 win over Walsall the next day. [17] [18] He won a League 1 winners medal as Doncaster won promotion to the Championship. The following season Harper made no appearances for the club leading to him leaving by mutual consent in January 2014 in search of regular football. [19]

Non-league

On 21 March 2014, Harper signed for Conference Premier side Barnet for the remainder of the season [20] and made his debut in the 2–0 win over Hereford United at the Hive. [21] After six appearances, it was announced that Harper was being released at the end of the season, although he was invited back for 2014-15 pre-season training at the Hive. [22]

On 24 October 2014 Harper signed for Basingstoke Town, [23] making his debut for the club on 8 November in the FA Cup first round replay at Telford United. Following some solid displays, he soon became a regular 1st team choice, making 31 appearances as Town reached the Conference South play-offs, narrowly missing out to Whitehawk at the Semi Final stage. The 2015/16 season was not so successful with the team performing poorly and sat with Basingstoke Town in 22nd position Harper was released by manager Terry Brown following a one on one meeting.

In March 2016, Harper signed for Hayes & Yeading United.

On 11 October 2016, Harper signed for Hungerford Town. [24] After making just one league appearance for The Crusaders, he joined Metropolitan Police to make his debut in a Surrey Senior Cup loss to Kingstonian on 13 December 2016. [25] On 3 February 2017, Hendon announced his signature. [26]

On 16 March 2018, Harper joined Gosport Borough, [27] making his début as a second-half substitute in a 2–5 defeat to Redditch United the following day. [28] [29]

Harper joined Walton Casuals for the 2018–19 season and scored on his debut against Shoreham in the FA Cup, as well as his league debut against Metropolitan Police. [30] He re-joined Gosport for the rest of the season in October.

Harper briefly re-joined Hendon at the start of the 2019–20 season before joining Uxbridge.

On 16 September 2021, Windsor announced the signing of Harper. [31] Eight days later, Harper signed for Ascot United. [32] [33] He made his début for the club in the 5–0 win over Burnham on 28 September. [34]

International career

Harper rejected the chance to go to the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Ghana, saying: "I've never even been to Ghana. I don't know the colour of their flag and it's not my country. I wouldn't feel right putting on the shirt." He qualified to play for Ghana because his mother was born there. [35]

Coaching

In January 2024, Harper linked up with his former Reading team-mate Dave Kitson again as a coach with The Dave Kitson Academy. [36]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 29 March 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition [37]
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2000–01 [38] Premier League 0000000000
Cardiff City (loan) 2000–01 [38] Division Three 3000000030
Reading 2000–01 [38] Division Two 12100002 [lower-alpha 1] 0141
2001–02 [39] Division Two26110302 [lower-alpha 2] 0321
2002–03 [40] Division One 36220002 [lower-alpha 3] 0402
2003–04 [41] Division One3912021—432
2004–05 [42] Championship 4133020—463
2005–06 [43] Championship4573030—517
2006–07 [44] Premier League 3831010—403
2007–08 [45] Premier League3861020—416
2008–09 [46] Championship341002000361
2009–10 [47] Championship300020—50
Total312251301716034826
Sheffield United 2009–10 [47] [lower-alpha 4] Championship3442000—364
Hull City 2010–11 [48] Championship2811000—291
2011–12 [49] Championship100010—20
Total2911010—311
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2011–12 [49] League One 5000000050
Doncaster Rovers 2012–13 [50] League One270002000290
2013–14 [51] Championship000000—00
Total270002000290
Barnet 2013–14 [51] Conference Premier 6000—0060
Basingstoke Town 2014–15 [52] Conference South 23040—4 [lower-alpha 5] 0310
2015–16 [52] National League South 30040—3 [lower-alpha 6] 0370
Total53080—70680
Hayes & Yeading United 2015–16 [52] National League South6100—0061
2016–17 [52] Southern League Premier Division9020—1 [lower-alpha 7] 0120
Total15120—10181
Hungerford Town 2016–17 [52] National League South1000—1 [lower-alpha 8] 020
Metropolitan Police 2016–17 [53] Isthmian League Premier Division5000—1 [lower-alpha 9] 060
Hendon 2016–17 [54] Isthmian League Premier Division14000—1 [lower-alpha 10] 0150
Gosport Borough 2017–18 [55] [56] [57] Southern League Premier Division10000—00100
Walton Casuals 2018–19 [30] Southern League Premier Division South5130—0081
Gosport Borough 2018–19 [58] Southern League Premier Division South5000—0050
Hendon 2019–20 [54] Southern League Premier Division South0000—0000
Uxbridge 2019–20 [59] Isthmian League South Central Division7100—5 [lower-alpha 11] 0121
2020–21 [60] Isthmian League South Central Division2000—0020
Total9100—50141
Windsor 2021–22 [61] Combined Counties League Premier Division North0000—1 [lower-alpha 8] 010
Ascot United 2021–22 [62] Combined Counties League Premier Division North8000—1 [lower-alpha 12] 090
Career total5413329020124061434
  1. ↑ Appearance(s) in Division Two play-offs
  2. ↑ Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ↑ Appearance(s) in Division One play-offs
  4. ↑ Part of this season was spent on loan from Reading
  5. ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances in Conference South play-offs
  6. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy; two appearances in Hampshire Senior Cup
  7. ↑ Appearance(s) in Southern League Cup
  8. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup
  9. ↑ Appearance(s) in Surrey Senior Cup
  10. ↑ Appearance(s) in Middlesex Senior Cup
  11. ↑ Four appearances in Isthmian League Cup; one appearance in Middlesex Senior Cup
  12. ↑ Appearance(s) in Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup

Honours

Reading
Doncaster Rovers

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 187. ISBN   978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "Royals swoop for Harper". BBC Sport. 28 February 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2007.
  3. ↑ "Newcastle 3–2 Reading". BBC Sport. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2006.
  4. ↑ "Four new contracts agreed". Reading F.C. 4 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 April 2008. Retrieved 4 July 2007.
  5. ↑ "Blackwell snaps up Harper". Sheffield United F.C. 2 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 September 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  6. ↑ "Royals trio seal loan moves". Reading F.C. 2 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
  7. ↑ "Rams, Raided!". vitalfootball.co.uk. 12 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  8. ↑ "James Harper permanent switch to Sheffield United". The Star. 28 January 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  9. ↑ "Harper leads Blades exodus". Sky Sports. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  10. ↑ "Hull City: Solano and Harper agree deals". Hull Daily Mail. 10 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
  11. ↑ "Hull 1 – 2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  12. ↑ "Hull 1 – 1 Reading". BBC Sport. 28 December 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  13. ↑ "Wycombe Wanderers sign James Harper from Hull City". BBC Sport. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  14. ↑ "Richard Garcia leaves Hull City for new adventures". This is Hull and East Riding. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  15. ↑ "Ex-Royal James Harper signs for Hungerford Town". Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  16. ↑ "Hungerford Town 2 -3 Wokingham & Embrook". Hungerford Town FC. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  17. ↑ "Doncaster Rovers sign midfielder James Harper". BBC Sport. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  18. ↑ "Walsall 0 – 3 Doncaster". BBC. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  19. ↑ "James Harper to leave Doncaster Rovers". DRFC Official Site. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  20. ↑ "Barnet Sign James Harper". BARNET FC. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  21. ↑ "Barnet 2 – 0 Hereford". BBC Sport. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  22. ↑ "Martin Allen announces player departures". Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  23. ↑ "Basingstoke Town sign former Reading midfielder James Harper". Basingstoke Gazette. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  24. ↑ "'Godfather' Harper becomes a Crusader". Newbury Today. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  25. ↑ "Met suffer a defeat in the Surrey County Cup". Metropolitan Police FC. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  26. ↑ "One in and two out". Hendon FC. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  27. ↑ The Boro' sign Harper – News – Gosport Borough Football Club
  28. ↑ The Boro' fall to Redditch – News – Gosport Borough Football Club
  29. ↑ Gosport Borough FC on Twitter: "Gosport sub: Ten-Grotenhuis off, Harper on for his debut. (57 mins)"
  30. 1 2 "Appearances: James Harper".
  31. ↑ "WINDSOR SIGN HARPER". windsorfc.net/. Windsor F.C. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  32. ↑ "HARPER SIGNS!". Ascot United F.C. Twitter. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021– via Twitter.
  33. ↑ "JAMES HARPER player stats | Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League". fulltime.thefa.com.
  34. ↑ "Sep 28, Ascot United 5 Burnham 0 | Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League". fulltime.thefa.com.
  35. ↑ "Harper rejects World Cup chance". BBC Sport. 27 April 2006. Retrieved 26 May 2006.
  36. ↑ "Reading FC legend links up with former teammate for coaching". The Reading Chronicle. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  37. ↑ "England – J. Harper – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
  38. 1 2 3 "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2000/2001 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  39. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2001/2002 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  40. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2002/2003 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  41. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2003/2004 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  42. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2004/2005 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  43. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2005/2006 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  44. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2006/2007 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  45. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2007/2008 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  46. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2008/2009 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  47. 1 2 "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2009/2010 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  48. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2010/2011 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  49. 1 2 "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2011/2012 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  50. ↑ "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2012/2013 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  51. 1 2 "James Harper | Football Stats | Season 2013/2014 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  52. 1 2 3 4 5 "James Harper Profile | Aylesbury United FC". aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  53. ↑ "James Harper – Metropolitan Police FC 1st XI". pitchero.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018.
  54. 1 2 "Greensnet – Official Hendon FC: Former Staff – James Harper". hendonfc.net.
  55. ↑ "James Harper – Gosport Borough Football Club First team". gosportboroughfc.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  56. ↑ "Gosport Borough FC on Twitter". Twitter. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  57. ↑ "Gosport Borough FC on Twitter". Twitter. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  58. ↑ "James Harper: 2018/2019 Biog & Stats – the BetVictor Southern League". Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  59. ↑ "Uxbridge | Appearances | James Harper | 2019-2020 | Football Web Pages". footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  60. ↑ "Uxbridge | Appearances | James Harper | 2020-2021 | Football Web Pages". footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  61. ↑ "James Harper". windsorfc.net. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  62. ↑ "JAMES HARPER player stats | Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
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