A number of Newcastle United fans have taken to social media to rave over news that former player and record holder Steve Harper has agreed terms to take up a new coaching role at the club.
The ex goalkeeper, who holds the record at St James’ Park for the longest serving player, having spent 20 years on Tyneside, has taken up the role as the club’s new lead goalkeeping coach for the academy, as confirmed on the official Twitter and club website, having spent time as a general coach in the youth system.
We're pleased to announce that @steveharper37 has taken up a new role as Lead Academy Goalkeeping Coach at Newcastle United. He'll be supported by Daniel García, who has replaced Harper as Academy Goalkeeping Coach up to Under-16 level.?
Read more: https://t.co/tKE9WI9HwJ #NUFC pic.twitter.com/HAyNufVxy3
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 20, 2018
Many Newcastle supporters were left delighted with the appointment, with one member of the Toon Army heralding his commitment to the club.
This is Futbol has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ best tweets:
@steveharper37 over the moon for you Steve.
— nachodog (@nachodog47) August 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/kevymartins/status/1031595361834549255
https://twitter.com/Robobriain/status/1031584335097286656
Great news and not before time
— Robin Wheatley (@RobDrW) August 20, 2018
Chuffed to bits for ya @steveharper37 ??
— ??Paul Usher (@Paul_Usher1) August 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/TBooth1981/status/1031611375402082304
Great news! My congratulations @steveharper37!???
— Evgeny Kolobrodov (@Jason_Mag) August 20, 2018
Opinion
Harper will be in Newcastle folklore for a long, long time, for there have been few players who have shown the same loyalty to one club throughout their career – especially when they have been second choice for much of that. He faced a losing battle with Magpies legend Shay Given for much of his early years at the club and then found himself behind Tim Krul when the Dutch international was on Tyneside. Still, it shows how highly rated his ability and experience is that he has been handed a senior role at the club after just a couple of years coaching, and the Toon Army would love to seem him play a leading role in developing some young talent to come through the system and into the first team. However, it looks as though the young talents face a battle for any senior action, with young Freddie Woodman already waiting in the wings to be a first team choice, the England youth international behind the likes of Rob Elliot and first choice Martin Dubravka in the pecking order.