 Harper in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Harper | ||
| Date of birth | (1967-05-13)13 May 1967 (age 57) | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| St Ives | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1986 | Sydney City | 1 | (0) |
| 1987 | Sydney Olympic | 6 | (0) |
| 1989–1991 | St George | 48 | (22) |
| 1991–1997 | Marconi | 155 | (65) |
| 1997–1999 | Brisbane Strikers | 40 | (4) |
| 1999–2000 | Newcastle Breakers | 31 | (6) |
| 2000–2001 | Newcastle United | 17 | (3) |
| Total | 321 | (100) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Andy Harper (born 13 May 1967) is a former Australiansoccer player who played in Australia'sNational Soccer League (NSL) forSydney City,Sydney Olympic,St George,Marconi,Brisbane Strikers,Newcastle Breakers andNewcastle United. Harper began a commentary career while still playing, working forSpecial Broadcasting Service (SBS),Channel 9,C7 Sport,ABC Radio,Fox Sports and Paramount+. He currently covers theA-League for Paramount+ as an expert commentator.
Harper began his professional playing career withSydney City in 1986, their last season in theNational Soccer League.[1][2] Harper spent the1987 National Soccer League season playing forSydney Olympic. In January 1989, Harper signed forSt George after spending much of 1988 travelling in Europe.[3]
After several years with St George, Harper was sold toMarconi-Fairfield for an $18,000 transfer fee.[4]
In the 1993 NSL grand final, Harper scored from a penalty kick to give Marconi a 1–0 win overAdelaide City.[5]
In 1997, Harper signed a two-year deal with theBrisbane Strikers. He cited a desire to continue commentating for theSpecial Broadcasting Service (SBS) as a motivation for staying in Australia, despite overseas interest.[6]
Harper joined theNewcastle Breakers at the start of the 1999–2000 NSL season.[7] With the Breakers on the brink of collapse, Harper and a number of other players walked out in September 2000, citing breaches of contract by the club.[8] Harper joined the newNewcastle United along with a number of fellow former Breakers.[9]
Last playing in 2001, Harper made 321 appearances, scoring 100 goals.[10][11]
After retiring in 2001 Harper has written three books, the most popular being (Johnny Warren's biography),Sheilas, Wogs and Poofters, The Incomplete Biography of Johnny Warren & Soccer in Australia.[12][13][14]
In June 2020 he completed a doctoral thesis titled "Australia’s Power Structures and the Legitimisation of Soccer (2003-2015)" as part of hisDoctor of Philosophy study at theUniversity of Sydney.[15]
He was a commentator onSBS covering the1998 FIFA World Cup.[16] He also appeared on SBS in theGrundy Television productionNerds FC in 2006 and 2007.[17]
Harper hosted theNine Network Australia's coverage of the2002 World Cup.[18]
He covered theEuropean Championships in 2000 and 2004 withFox Sports, On 29 July 2006 he joined the Fox Sports football team as a pundit and commentator for theA-League. Harper also features on the weekly program Kick Off as well as previously hostingFox Sports FC.[19] He is also a regular contributor as an 'expert'Football commentator in the print and electronic media's coverage of football in Australia. During his commentary of an Adelaide United Asian Champions League game, he coined the phrase 'spawning salmon' after Adelaide United's Travis Dodd flew in the air to head down the ball assisting Fabian Barbiero.[20]
In December 2004 Harper was appointed CEO ofA-League teamSydney FC.[21] He became director of football development in July 2005, with the role of CEO replaced by an executive general manager.[22] Harper resigned after the end of the2005–06 season.[23]
Club
Wallamba FC
.Football Mid North Coast AAMS Grand Final 2017
In making this appointment, Mr. Andy Harper, Sydney FC's CEO during the successful launch phase of the Club, will take on the newly created role of Director of Football Development.
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| National | |
