Steve Harper

Steven James Harper (born 3 February 1969) is an English former footballer who scored 54 goals in 504 league games in a 15-year career in the Football League. He was a speedy winger, adept at dribbling the ball, transitioning into a full-back later in his career.

He began his professional career at Port Vale in June 1987 before he was sold to Preston North End for £35,000 in March 1989. He joined Burnley on a free transfer in July 1991 and helped the "Clarets" to win the Fourth Division title in 1991–92. He moved on to Doncaster Rovers in August 1993, before he was sold to Mansfield Town for a £20,000 fee in September 1995. He took a free transfer to Hull City in July 1999 before joining Darlington in February 2001. He left the Football League in 2002 and moved into non-League football with Kidsgrove Athletic. He later became a coach.

Playing career Harper graduated through Port Vale juniors to sign professional forms under manager John Rudge in June 1987. He played regular football for the start of the 1987–88 season, and scored his first goal on 5 September, in a 2–1 victory over York City at Vale Park. Ian Atkins took "Donny" to 15th in the Third Division (previously called the Fourth Division) in 1993–94. He was then joined at Belle Vue by his former Burnley partner Ian Measham. Sammy Chung then led Rovers to ninth place in 1994–95.

Harper was sold to Andy King's Mansfield Town for a £20,000 fee in September 1995. During his time at Mansfield Town, Harper moved from attacking positions into a full-back role, becoming an established defender by 1997. Harper was used on both sides of the defence, although he generally played at right-back. before he was allowed to leave Feethams by new manager Tommy Taylor. He then ended his career after a short spell with Northern Premier League side Kidsgrove Athletic.

Coaching career Harper spent six years as a coach at the academy at Stoke City, before he was appointed as a first-team coach at Chasetown in May 2017.

Career statistics

Honours Burnley Football League Fourth Division: 1991–92