940 James Harper

Biography

Midfielder Harper joined Hull City in July 2010 and after recovering from a broken foot acquired in pre-season he slotted into the role of deep-lying destroyer, with some success.  However he at times seemed a little less than the sum of his parts and it came as no surprise when his second season saw him out of the City first team scene and ended with a loan spell at Wycombe.

Born in Chelmsford, Harper began his career at Arsenal but was unable to break into the first team.  In 2001 he signed for Reading where he spent ten years building a strong reputation as a powerful second tier standard midfield dynamo, including featuring in the Royals’ single season in the Premier League.  In 2009 he signed on loan for Sheffield United, switching permanently to the Blades in January 2010.  His contract at Bramall Lane ended that summer, prior to his move to City.

Harper moved to Doncaster Rovers in 2012 and played regularly in the side that secured the League 1 title.  However James did not play the following season and switched to Barnet on a half season deal.  Harper then began a tour of various clubs on the Home Counties non-league scene, starting at Basingstoke Town and ending up joining Gosport Borough in March 2018.

Details

Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 9 November 1980, Chelmsford
Hull City First Game: 23 October 2010, Portsmouth H (Championship), 29 years, 348 days old
Hull City Final Game: 29 October 2011, Nottingham Forest A (Championship), 30 years, 354 days old

Clubs

Arsenal (1996-2001), Cardiff City (2000-2001, loan), Reading (2001-2010), Sheffield United (2009-2010, loan), Sheffield United (2010), Hull City (2010-2012), Wycombe Wanderers (2012, loan), Doncaster Rovers (2012-2014), Barnet (2014), Basingstoke Town (2014-2016), Hayes and Yeading United (2016), Hungerford Town (2016), Metropolitan Police (2016-2017), Hendon (2017), Gosport Borough (2018-current)

Hull City Record

Career: 31 apps, 1 goals