Guest firetotheworks Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice guy, used to be quite good too. Sad to see him go. They might keep him on in a coaching capacity, wouldn't be surprised seeing as that's probably been happening for some time anyway. Hope so. Remember getting his autograph at the training ground probably 17 years along with Pedro, Howey, Bracewell et all f***ing unbelievable he's still here. Fair play to the lad. It's been said over and over, but he could have forged a pretty good Prem career elsewhere. There were times when you could argue there was little difference between Harper and Given. If he'd been number 1 at a club for 10 years poor lad may have played for England. Feel like we've cheated him a little. Bloody appreciate his loyalty though. Cheers Steve Naaaah, it was his choice and he was paid handsomely for it. I doubt he'd change much about his career. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 His body retired a few years ago, been a well paid passenger since then, can only see this as good news. However I hope he stays around the club, probably the most intelligent person we have in and around the squad and from what I hear been doing a lot of mentoring with younger players. If he does leave and gets a playing role then fair play to him, enjoy it, but I want him back here ASAP. I'm torn whether he will just be a coach in the future or if he has it in him to become a manager, he's certainly good to listen too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Flash Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Think it was in Bobby Robson's book that he said Harper got paid more than he should have as an incentive to stay and be backup. I'd have done the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ste Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Been a good, loyal servant. It's been good having decent back-up, something we've been blessed with for a very long time. He'll never know how his career could have gone, or what he could have achieved, I wonder if he regrets not moving when he was younger. Must have been gutting to see Given leave, then become second fiddle to Krul, though I have no idea what his ambition is like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice guy, used to be quite good too. Sad to see him go. Very much this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Would love to have a pint with Steve Harper, like. He must have some unreal stories. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
durhamunigeordie Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice guy, used to be quite good too. Sad to see him go. They might keep him on in a coaching capacity, wouldn't be surprised seeing as that's probably been happening for some time anyway. Hope so. Remember getting his autograph at the training ground probably 17 years along with Pedro, Howey, Bracewell et all Fucking unbelievable he's still here. Fair play to the lad. It's been said over and over, but he could have forged a pretty good Prem career elsewhere. There were times when you could argue there was little difference between Harper and Given. If he'd been number 1 at a club for 10 years poor lad may have played for England. Feel like we've cheated him a little. Bloody appreciate his loyalty though. Cheers Steve Don't get me wrong I think he's been a great servant for the club, but how can we know this given how little he actually played? It's one of those kind of folklore myths that he was as good a Shay and because it can't be disproved everyone seems to have gone along with it. Given was one of the best in the league for a fair period - it's difficult to conclude that someone who has barely played 200 games in nearly 20 years was on a comparable level. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiemag Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 He wants to become a referee doesn't he? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stifler Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Decent guy. The trouble was Given was one of the greatest keepers during his time here, that meant Harper was always pushed back and hardly got a chance to play. When he did I don't think he was all that confident, as a result he lets in some shockers. Theirs no doubt in my mind that had he left instead of staying on he would have been an England regular, he really should have left us when Seaman called it a day at international level. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stifler Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 He wants to become a referee doesn't he? He's 40, referee's are usually asked to leave at the age of 48, it's rare for any to be kept on after that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I know his dad used to be a referee. He officiated in the same league my dad used to play in and my dad said he was a cunt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Would love to have a pint with Steve Harper, like. He must have some unreal stories. He's like our very own pet tortoise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 He wants to become a referee doesn't he? He's 40, referee's are usually asked to leave at the age of 48, it's rare for any to be kept on after that. Mark Halsey is 51 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 A bit sad to see him leave, shame that we don't want him to stick around as a coach. Would be nice if he got a start against Arsenal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanji Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Hope he continues on as a coach here. But will wish him luck wherever he goes - fantastic servant to the club he loves. Canny funny old bastard too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyt Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I've no doubt he'd have got an England cap had he left us and played regularly during his prime at another club Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superior Acuña Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice guy, used to be quite good too. Sad to see him go. They might keep him on in a coaching capacity, wouldn't be surprised seeing as that's probably been happening for some time anyway. Hope so. Remember getting his autograph at the training ground probably 17 years along with Pedro, Howey, Bracewell et all f***ing unbelievable he's still here. Fair play to the lad. It's been said over and over, but he could have forged a pretty good Prem career elsewhere. There were times when you could argue there was little difference between Harper and Given. If he'd been number 1 at a club for 10 years poor lad may have played for England. Feel like we've cheated him a little. Bloody appreciate his loyalty though. Cheers Steve Don't get me wrong I think he's been a great servant for the club, but how can we know this given how little he actually played? It's one of those kind of folklore myths that he was as good a Shay and because it can't be disproved everyone seems to have gone along with it. Given was one of the best in the league for a fair period - it's difficult to conclude that someone who has barely played 200 games in nearly 20 years was on a comparable level. He said "there were times". I certainly think around ~1999, particularly, it was difficult to choose and as I recall he was preferred for some periods - e.g. 1999 cup final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_R Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 How many games did he get for us in total? About 6, I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnonel Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Good luck, Steve, true servant Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gleebals Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Good luck, Steve, true servant Servant? Not sure that is the right description for an individual that has been rewarded so highly.. He could have left at any point to pursue a playing career, he decided to stick around and take his money! Dont get me wrong, think he has been a valuable and highly liked memeber of the squand and will be sad to see him no longer part of it. Personally think he is a top lad. Good luck Steve. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice guy, used to be quite good too. Sad to see him go. They might keep him on in a coaching capacity, wouldn't be surprised seeing as that's probably been happening for some time anyway. Hope so. Remember getting his autograph at the training ground probably 17 years along with Pedro, Howey, Bracewell et all f***ing unbelievable he's still here. Fair play to the lad. It's been said over and over, but he could have forged a pretty good Prem career elsewhere. There were times when you could argue there was little difference between Harper and Given. If he'd been number 1 at a club for 10 years poor lad may have played for England. Feel like we've cheated him a little. Bloody appreciate his loyalty though. Cheers Steve Don't get me wrong I think he's been a great servant for the club, but how can we know this given how little he actually played? It's one of those kind of folklore myths that he was as good a Shay and because it can't be disproved everyone seems to have gone along with it. Given was one of the best in the league for a fair period - it's difficult to conclude that someone who has barely played 200 games in nearly 20 years was on a comparable level. He was as good as Given, it's no myth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Nice guy, used to be quite good too. Sad to see him go. They might keep him on in a coaching capacity, wouldn't be surprised seeing as that's probably been happening for some time anyway. Hope so. Remember getting his autograph at the training ground probably 17 years along with Pedro, Howey, Bracewell et all f***ing unbelievable he's still here. Fair play to the lad. It's been said over and over, but he could have forged a pretty good Prem career elsewhere. There were times when you could argue there was little difference between Harper and Given. If he'd been number 1 at a club for 10 years poor lad may have played for England. Feel like we've cheated him a little. Bloody appreciate his loyalty though. Cheers Steve Don't get me wrong I think he's been a great servant for the club, but how can we know this given how little he actually played? It's one of those kind of folklore myths that he was as good a Shay and because it can't be disproved everyone seems to have gone along with it. Given was one of the best in the league for a fair period - it's difficult to conclude that someone who has barely played 200 games in nearly 20 years was on a comparable level. He said "there were times". I certainly think around ~1999, particularly, it was difficult to choose and as I recall he was preferred for some periods - e.g. 1999 cup final. Spot on - there was a time when he looked better than Given and really looked like he would kick on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyeyzzon Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Testimonial surely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledDog Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Testimonial surely. Bit pointless these days aren't they? He doesn't exactly need the cash injection to afford a pub to retire to, and I can't see much chance of a high profile charity do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakie Doke Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I can't help thinking there's more to this than meets the eye. This could easily be part of an elaborate cover-up. What do we know about Steve Harper's sexual preferences? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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