James Harper: I’m the fittest at Basingstoke – at 34!

By George Atkins

JAMES HARPER may be turning 35 later this year, but don't be fooled into thinking Basingstoke's veteran midfielder is winding down the clock.

In fact, the former Reading star reckons he doesn't just keep pace with his younger team-mates – he is fitter than the lot of them!

Popular

Despite not having put pen to paper for Stoke yet, he has played in all-but one of the club's pre-season friendly games and the signs are good that the popular 34-year-old will remain.

With a week to go until they kick off their season away to Ebbsfleet, Harper isn't concerned about a deal not being done with manager Jason Bristow and reckons he is in tip-top shape.

He said: “I was never about the money or needing the security of a contract, I just enjoy playing. I prefer focusing on playing rather than negotiating.

“I'm 34 now, I'm the fittest in the team. Genetically I'm lucky; my mum was an athlete and my dad was a runner so I've always been able to keep myself in good shape pretty easily.”

Harper has set his sights on going one better this season after play-off semi-final heartbreak with the Hampshire side last term.

They ended a good season in a disappointing way, falling short against , but whether it's with or without him the midfielder wants progress for the Dragons.

“It's a big season for the club,” he said. “We want to improve on last season, we need to. It was tough to take at the end of last season, so we need to push on.”

Adapting

Harper became a fans' favourite at Reading with 316 appearances in a decade of service. After that, his career took him on his travels.

He played for United, where he also had a loan spell, Hull City, Doncaster Rovers and , while also having a temporary stint at Wycombe.

Having been in the professional game almost his whole career, adapting to life has been difficult for him to get to grips with.

“Understanding Non-League is hard; knowing where to be and where to move is not drummed into players every day like it is in the professional game,” says Harper, who spent the last month of 2013-14 in the Conference with Barnet.

“It's hard when the game is such a fast pace to tell people where to go and where to be.

“The full-time boys are fitter and sharper; they have a better structure about them.

“You get that camaraderie; you get that high level of rapport with your team-mates so it's difficult to get to know the lads and nail down our shape whilst only training Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*