Steven Harper has become an important senior player at Newcastle.
 Steven Harper - a player yes, but also a big fan of Newcastle
As well as being one of our best players, Steven of course is also first and foremost a big fan of Newcastle United, being a local lad.
And having seen Keegan weave his transfer magic before in the 1990s when young Steve was just coming through the ranks, the Easington-born goalkeeper seems to have no doubts that Kevin knows the type of players that will be needed to revive the club’s fortunes next season.
Steve Harper told the Shields Gazette recently:
“I’m sure the manager knows what players he wants, and hopefully he’ll get them.”
“I don’t think anybody knows the club better than Kevin Keegan. He knows the fans, the club and the type of player we need.”
“Hopefully we’ll have a few new faces. As players, you like to see new faces.”
“The players are just the same as the fans – we’re waiting on news of signings like anyone else.”
“We’ve lost a few players, and we might lose a couple more. Maybe we’ve been a little short (in recent seasons), and it would be nice to have five or six top players in.”
“Hopefully, we’ll have a good, competitive pre-season, and start the season well.”
Good words there from Steve Harper as a Newcastle United fan, and it will surely be a monumental battle between Steve and Shay Given next season for the Newcastle goalkeeper’s jersey.
And we seem to be in great shape as far as goalkeepers go with Given (32), Harper (33), Forster (20), Krul (20) and Soderburg (17) all at the club. We think one of those will go out on loan for next season, maybe Krul or even Fraser Forster.
Steve will be back in training in a short 8 days time, and we hope we can get some players into the club next week.
The great Euro 2008 tournament will come to an end after todays’ final between Spain and Germany, so maybe the transfer season will then move into full swing.
In our poll on who will win today’s final 64% of our readers go for Spain, with 295 votes in. There’s still time to vote if you haven’t yet done so.
Comments welcome.
Loading ...
10 responses so far ↓
1 Egar // Jun 29, 2008 at 10:54
It’s gonna be a great final. Enjoy.
2 Nev // Jun 29, 2008 at 11:01
germany 1-0 … podolski to win it in 2nd half
3 Geordie Nick // Jun 29, 2008 at 11:13
i think spain hav to much quality gor the germans, although u can never coun the germans out, but if fabreagas plays as well as he did the other day then spain will win quite comfortably as the german defence is shocking and will be ripped apart by the likes of fabregas, xavi, iniesta’s passing ability
4 xfer // Jun 29, 2008 at 11:57
Spain’s defense hasnt been the best, i foresee them to concede at least once. Can they score tho? Its hard to say one that one since Torres hasnt been in the best of form and Villa out of the match.
5 CRAIGG // Jun 29, 2008 at 12:13
This is One of my pet hates on this site
Harper stayed for 15 years without ever being first choice because he never got an attractive offer, Despite putting in 2 transfer requests, Slagging Bobby in the press a couple of times and has always been paid a special compensation for not playing.
But he is a loyal Newcastle fan and a great servant to the club he loves.
Shola has made many good contributions, Vital goals like against Liverpool at Anfield that just nicked us a european spot, 2 against the mackems in a 3-2 win, Goals in the champions league 1 at the Nou camp and 2 away at Leverkusen and some other great performances with Shearer and Bellamy suspended, Some really vital goals in our UEFA Cup runs a couple of years back, 2 in the intertoto cup final, He also played for a year with a career threatening hip injury
Yet if he rejects a move in favour of staying at the club he loves, He is just after money!
6 Davies // Jun 29, 2008 at 12:23
The problem is Craigg, we need Harper, he saved our skins last season mate.
Shola just isn’t premier league material anymore. Didn’t live up to his potential and has effectively been sitting around picking up his cheque for a couple of years now.
However much it annoys you, that’s just the way it is.
7 ToonDaft // Jun 29, 2008 at 12:27
i love harper - however, i have heard on decent authority that he is actually (or at least was when he was a youngster) a makem
could be total garbage that but it came from the brother of one of his wifes good friends - lol, lol, i like to think he was and then we cleansed him
8 CRAIGG // Jun 29, 2008 at 15:03
Davies i agree about what you say about Shola he aint good enough to start anymore, but as 4th choice striker who would you want Shola or Smith.
I just think that Sholas done a lot of good for this club and he deserves a lot more respect and credit than given on this blog.
I havent got anything against Harper he has been great everytime he’s pulled on the shirt he’s just unlucky to be in the same era as Given.
I just think its double standards for people to say Harpers loyal to stay despite not being a first team player and Shola is a mercenary for wanting to do the same.
9 The Entertainers // Jun 29, 2008 at 15:07
@ Craigg
Fair comment mate…..but the difference is the club want Harper and dont want Shola.
Still no need to go over the top with the anti-Shola comments, but i do feel his time is up.
10 cg // Jun 30, 2008 at 8:54
GK bits look great and pretty solid years to come with the youngsters. They get good practise at our side too - and need to be great, since we’ve had a complete sh*te defense