James Harper, a Reading icon, has suggested that he might play semi-pro football until he is 42 years old.
Between 2001 and 2010, the central midfielder made 348 appearances for Reading, earning promotion to the Championship and Premier League while playing for great managers Alan Pardew, Steve Coppell, and Brendan Rodgers.
He played for Sheffield United, Hull City, Wycombe Wanderers, and Doncaster Rovers while still in the Football League until 2014. Since then, he has spent ten years in non-league football.
Local Berkshire outfits, such as Basingstoke Town, Hungerford Town and Ascot United, have all had the Arsenal youngster on their books in recent years.
Still setting the standards at 42, Harper has hinted that he may stay in the game once he has recovered from injury issues.
Speaking to BBC Berkshire, he said: “I played last season for my mate at Alresford Town. I played two games we lost 8-1 and then got beat 5-1 and only turned up with 10 men. I had the dreaded Achilles tendonitis and that kept me out. I’m just about right now. Patrick Cox, who used to play in the youth team, has messaged me. He’s over at Alton Town and said get over there, so I might try and get over there when I’m back fit again.
“I will be the last man standing. I play six-a-side on a Monday. The enthusiasm is going down a little bit, I’ve got to be honest. I love the game, but I don’t love the nonsense. The young kids’ banter is terrible. Turn up for the game, play the game and go home. I don’t enjoy the moaning and how easy it is to get yellow cards now.”
He is the final remaining member of Reading’s title-winning side of 2005/06 playing football in England.
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