James Harper makes Ascot United move after short Windsor stay

The former Reading midfielder played once for Windsor

You wait over a year to use your James Harper photo kindly snapped by Neil Graham, then two opportunities come along at once.

Former Reading FC star James Harper made his debut for new side Windsor on Tuesday night in the Berks & Bucks FA County Cup at Ascot United, and has now been confirmed as a new signing for the Yellamen.

A tweet posted by Ascot confirmed the news on Friday: “With over 300 apps for Reading FC in the Premier League and EFL, we are delighted to welcome James Harper to the club!

🆕✍️ HARPER SIGNS!

With over 300 apps for @ReadingFC in the @premierleague and @EFL, we are delighted to welcome James Harper to the club!#WelcomeHarps #WeAreAscot 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/L0zWubN0Jr
— Ascot United FC (@AscotUnitedFC) September 24, 2021

The midfielder started Tuesday nights 3-1 defeat for Windsor in midfield at Ascot. He 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.

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Tom Canning

Tom Canning is the co-editor of Football in Berkshire. He has played at the lowest possible level of football in the Bracknell Sunday League Fourth Division. In real life Tom is a Freelance Digital Content Producer having spent 20 years at Reach PLC, starting out on the Reading Evening Post - as well as a year with The Cricketer Magazine. He co-founded Football in Berkshire with Darrell Freeland in 2016. He is the former manager of Bracknell Town Ladies Reserves and Binfield Ladies in the Thames Valley Women's League.

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