Steve Harper was one of the longest player ever play for Newcastle United this season. Under Big Sam he has two successive English Premier League games when Shay was fit since 1999-2000.
For almost the last 10 years, Steve Harper (32 years-old) have been act as Shay Given deputy while the United number one goalkeeper is injured. But now it seems that the forgotten man has found the chance to be Newcastle United number one under Big Sam.
The news yesterday are busy speculating about Harper chance and Shay Given was in danger under Sam Allardyce. In my opinion, Big Sam would try to rotate the goallie for the good of United.
Steve Harper signed for United from non-league football in 1993 but took six years to break into the first team when Newcastle United played in the 1999 FA Cup Final against Manchester United in just his 10th senior match.
Steve has a good memory to thank former Newcastle United manager Kenny Dalglish. At that time, he was still on loan to Huddersfield, and he make some impressive appearance for them that hold the signing contract for him as Huddersfield player in permanent move.
Since then, he was Newcastle United number one during the 1999-2000 season, but an awfull injury push him to sideline and make the door open for Shay Given to take his place.
Was disappointed not to make any Premiership appearances during the 2001/02 season but was rewarded with a new five-year contract in the summer of 2002.
An all-round sportsman, and the holder of an Open University Degree, Steve is a qualified minor league referee and also plays local league cricket.
Steve made five starts in 2004/05, but only one in the Intertoto Cup in 2005/06.
Had a regular run in the side during September and October 2006 when Shay Given was injured at West Ham. Steve also helped Newcastle to their first-ever triumph in a competitive penalty shoot-out in the Carling Cup tie at Watford on November 7.
When Steve did play he turned in excellent displays each time and perhaps, had an injury just prior to the match at Leeds in January 2001 not ended his run of six successive games, he may well have held onto the first team jersey for the rest of the 2000-2001 season and becoming the England number one too.
This season he may found his Sharper to guard the Magpies goal, have 4 successive games of the season and may continued when Newcastle play away to Pride Park.
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