Reading legend James Harper has hinted that he might continue to play semi-professional football at the age of 42. The central midfielder played 348 times for Reading from 2001 until 2010, winning promotion to the Championship and Premier League under legendary bosses Alan Pardew, Steve Coppell and Brendan Rodgers. Continuing to play in the Football League until 2014 with Sheffield United, Hull City, Wycombe Wanderers and Doncaster Rovers, he has since spent a decade in the non-league circuit.
Local Berkshire teams like Hungerford Town, Ascot United, and Basingstoke Town have all recently signed the Arsenal kid.
Harper, who is still setting the bar at age 42, has suggested that he might play on after he has recovered from his injury problems.
He said, “I played last season for my friend at Alresford Town,” when speaking to BBC Berkshire. I participated in two matches, which we lost 8-1 and then lost 5-1 with only 10 players present. I was unable to participate because of the terrible Achilles tendonitis. Right now, I feel about right. I’ve received a note from Patrick Cox, who used to play for the youth squad. I could try to go there when I’m back in shape because he told me to get there from Alton Town.
The last man standing will be me. Mondays are my six-a-side days. I have to admit that the excitement is waning a little. I enjoy the game, but not the absurdity. The juvenile banter is awful. Attend the game, participate in the game, and then leave. The whining and how simple it is to receive a yellow card these days don’t appeal to me.
He is the last active player from Reading’s championship team from the 2005–06 season.
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