Newcastle United: 1993-2013 League Appearances: 158 Did Steve Harper lack ambition throughout his Newcastle United career? Probably - he certainly had offers to become first-choice stopper elsewhere - but the Seaham-born keeper was a pivotal member of the Magpies squad for 20 years. A supporter of the club, Harper played second (or even third) fiddle to the likes of Shay Given, Pavel Srnicek, Tim Krul and even Shaka Hislop during his two decades at St James' Park - but when he was called upon he almost always did a sterling job. Take away the disastrous game at Anfield in September 2006 when he slipped as Xabi Alonso lobbed him from 65 yards, and Harper was a solid performer. In fact, Harper was so highly rated by other clubs that many believe he would have claimed at least one England cap had he moved on - but he remained loyal to the club. A total of 158 league appearances arrived for Harper, and he was a solid-if-unspectacular performer in them all. How the Magpies could do with a senior figure like him at the club right about now.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
