Windsor sign Reading 106 legend James Harper

Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division North side Windsor have added an EFL Championship winning midfielder to their ranks.

The Royalists have signed James Harper, a member of Reading’s incredible title-winning side of 2005/06 that still holds the record for the highest points totals gained in a professional league season with 106.

Harper had been on the books of Isthmian League South Central Division One Uxbridge but was unveiled on Thursday afternoon as a Windsor player.

Speaking to the official Windsor website, manager Mark Cooper said: “Absolutely delighted to sign Harps, he’ll bring great experience and a real touch of class to the side whilst he’s someone the other players can certainly learn an awful lot from.”

Harper came through the ranks at Arsenal before joining Reading in 2001 – forming a formidable midfield partnership with Steve Sidwell – until moving to Sheffield United in 2009.

The 40-year-old midfielder played for a number of other league clubs including Hull City and Wycombe Wanderers as well as a host of non-league clubs including Barnet, Basingstoke Town, Hungerford Town and Hendon.

Harper played 76 Premier League games for Reading as well as 186 Championship games in his career.

Listen: The Reading FC podcast from BBC Radio Berkshire did a great interview with James Harper back in January 2020. Well worth a listen below or you can find it on your favourite podcast app by searching Reading FC