Steve Harper has just signed a renewed contract at Newcastle United, and for the first time he could be Newcastle’s number one goalkeeper, finally emerging from the shadow of Shay Given, whose move to Manchester City is now looking like a firm maybe.
Top goalkeeper Steve Harper – flattered by Spurs interest
Steve says he was quite flattered by Spurs’ boss Harry Redknapp, wanting him at the London club, but he is happy to stay at Newcastle United, where he is currently the longest serving player on the books.
He was signed by Kevin Keegan from Seaham Red Star when he was just 18, way back in 1993, when Kevin’s hair wasn’t even gray.
Steve ended any doubts about his future earlier this week by signing a new three-year contract at St James’ Park, that will keep him at the club until 2012, and that will be 19 years at Newcastle United, and he’ll then be 37.
Steve said in the Daily Star Sunday today:
“I was flattered Tottenham put an offer in for me and if the club had accepted that, it’s unlikely I would be here now,”
“But when the club turned down the offer from Spurs and came back with another offer, looking at the bigger picture, I was happy to stay.”
As Joey Barton said when all the speculation was going on, ‘You’re a lifer’, but I did watch the second leg of Spurs’ cup semi-final.”
“I watched that because, when a bid is in, anything can happen.”
Anything can happen in football and it’s not even clear that Newcastle will agree to let Given go to City for just £5M, which would not be looked on well by Newcastle fans.
If we are to let our best player leave, at least let’s get what he’s worth, which is at least £10M.
But with Man City looking little short of terrible yesterday, against a 10 man Stoke City side, who did what Newcastle almost did earlier in the season, which is beat City with just 10 men.
The Stoke side fought with everything they had, and it was great to see them win 1-0 yesterday, even though that wasn’t a good result for Newcastle.
We feel the Billionaire owners at Eastlands may soon have seen one two many embarrassing defeats of their great players, and may finally replace Mark Hughes.
It was strange to hear the commentators say how great Robinho was when he was doing his flicks and all, but maybe I’m too old fashioned, but he had no real impact on the game.
Anyway, I should really lay off Robinho, since he did work very hard for his side yesterday, to be fair to the lad, who is obviously a gifted player.
We still don’t know what will happen with Given, but if Mark is in any danger of being fired, the powers that be may not want to sanction questionable transfers in the next day.
We wouldn’t mind Shay still being at Newcastle on Tuesday, because we’d have 5 months to persuade him we are definitely on our way forward again – maybe. 😀
Comments welcome.
32 comments so far
Toon_Sydney
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:50 AM
Comment #1i bet u his the only happy one other then those mercernnaries
BT9MAG
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Comment #2Knocking out these articles pretty quickly ed!
What’s your predictions for today?
toon 86
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Comment #3givens having his medical now.see ya shay youll be back next season when citeh sighn buffon
Alex
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Comment #4Trouble now with Shay is what will his mind set be if his move collapses . Having already put a transfer request in ,it would be unfair to Harper to replace him and put Shay back in goals .
Toonkistan
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Comment #5this article is more about Shay’s move and city’s performance ….hehe Go On TOOOOOOONNN
Jarralad
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Comment #6SSN reports Shay having his medical at the moment at Citeh
toon 86
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Comment #7alex he has practically sighned mate
toon 86
Feb 1, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Comment #8doesnt look like were getting any 1 off citeh
Alex
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Comment #9Wasn’t Shay injured ? that’s what they told us for the citeh game . Wonder if he will pass the medical then 🙂
Lying B@st@rd$
Ed Harrison
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Comment #10I am praying for a win today – however we can do it – Spurs got beat again as did Portsmouth yesterday – so 3 points would be great.
We’re due a win – that’s for sure.
Yes – it looks like Given is going.
Bill F
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Comment #11He is going to need to improve on his ManC performance. I thought he was a bit statuesque in that game. Time for heroes?
cjcox88
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Comment #12given is having a medical at city
Indian toon
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Comment #13any news on martin shola and smith playing!!!??????
Tony
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Comment #14better he goes today than 4.59 pm tomorrow gives us the chance to possibly get some more players
LooneyToon
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Comment #15Time for Steve to step up to the plate and prove how good he is…..great servant and loyalty to the club……true Geordie
No reason why he cannot push for a place in the England squad in the next year…..would love to see him shine….
Leaving for the match in 20 minutes……
Cannot f****** wait…..
Tony
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Comment #16i notice the fee is undisclosed normally that means not much
Toon_Factor
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Comment #17Given having medical with city!!!!!!!!1111
Indian toon
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Comment #18harper- local
caroll- local
taylor-local
shoal-local
martins-adopted geordie
i wonder how many local unwashed players the scum hav!
LooneyToon
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Comment #19Robbie Keane looks like he is leaving Liverpool…..
SSN reporting he maybe on his way back to Spurs….
They will get nowhere near 20 million for him…..
Alex
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Comment #20If the fee is undisclosed , it could be that we have a signing lined up and dont want the other club to know how much we are getting , so they up the price of our target .
LooneyToon
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Comment #21Bellamy and Bridges fees were “undisclosed” initially Tony….
we will not have let him go for a song…..he still had plenty of time left on his deal….10 million I reckon….
We will battle our way to victory today…..
Carroll, Nolan, Butt and Taylor will mix it big time…..
Ferdinand and Collins will get dominated physically by Andy…..
Butt and Nolan willl out do Whitehead and Richardson…..
Bassong will take Jones and Colo will sort Cisse out….
I am going to stick my neck out here…..the atmosphere is going to be red hot….a seige mentality is started to grow within the fans which is exactly what we need….
3-0 to the Toon……and I aint been at the medicine cabinet either 😉
LooneyToon
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Comment #22yes Alex…exactly mate….
Reet lads….I am off to get my coat….its starting to bloody snow…..
TOON TOON
Bill F
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Comment #23Looks like West Ham want rid of Ashton, don’t suppose for one minute we would put in a bid, pity.
carrol39
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Comment #24Do you guys honestly think we will get any one else in and if so who,i would love a couple more but would settle for one midfielder
carrol39
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Comment #25wish i could get up to game but live in portsmouth only got to two games this season pompey and chelsea,hoping to get to spurs away and pompey at home,your lucky guys living so close to the toon!Wish i was my mates are all pompey and liverpool fans,get so much grief.
ObaMartins
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Comment #26ED Wrote >>>>We wouldn’t mind Shay still being at Newcastle on Tuesday, because we’d have 5 months to persuade him we are definitely on our way forward again – maybe ????definitely on our way forward again !!!!!are you getting paid by Ashley to write this CRAP ED or do you live in cloud cuckoo land ?we have gone BACK 10 YEAR
Tony
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Comment #27Alex
point taken
ObaMartins
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Comment #28Ps….Harper is also SECOND Class copaired to Shay Given…for crying out loud stop the POOPaganda ED….be HONEST
Bill F
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Comment #29Started to snow down here in Essex as well so there must be a huge swathe of it moving in. If we score first I would fancy us for a big win. About time we had a smile from Lady Luck!
NotAGhostToon
Feb 1, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Comment #30COME ON THE TOON!
Brutooon
Feb 1, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Comment #31Harper – an example of loyal player
Tom_Toon
Feb 1, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Comment #32.