Steve Harper's long trophy wait is nearly over

Apr 13 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Steve Harper has plenty of motivation to help Newcastle United win the Championship title sooner rather than later. Mark Douglas reports.

FOR Newcastle United supporters of a certain vintage, the year 1993 carries a special resonance. Steve Harper is no different.

While most recall it as the year Kevin Keegan’s swaggering vision started to become a vivid reality in the form of the Division Two title, Harper was marking a famous year with his own personal milestone.

Aged 18, a promising goalkeeper from Easington was getting his own monkey off his back. After a run of five successive final defeats for his school team, a fresh-faced Harper finally tasted big-match success by helping Durham Schoolboys defeat Liverpool.

He recalls the modest achievement with a self-deprecating chuckle. If only he had known two decades would have passed before finally adding to his collection, maybe he would have celebrated a bit more lustily.

The long wait perhaps explains why Harper, looking relaxed at Newcastle’s Benton training base, is so determined to scratch that 17-year trophy itch.

He said: “It would be great to do it, to be part of it. It would be really special. On a personal note, I have not won anything since the FA County Youth Cup with Durham when I was 18. That ishalf my life ago!

“That is my only winner’s medal believe it or not. I played five County Cup finals in senior school and lost them all.

“Then I won it with Durham in 1993 I think – we beat Liverpool Schools 4-0.

“I have picked up a few medals, but getting to the FA Cup Final and having a runners-up medal does not look quite as good as a Championship winner’s medal. Needing four points – realistically three – to win the league, it feels close.

“Winning it would be really special because it would cap a great season for us.

“People are saying about how great it would be to lift the trophy in front of a full St James’ Park against Ipswich, but we have two tough away games before that to earn the right to be presented with it at home.”