For everyone in the North East of England especially, football is not just a game, it’s in their blood since the day they were born. Football is even more than just a game, it’s their religion, and for those who ever played for Newcastle United, they are all their heroes.

Last night, the Geordies are celebrating the farewell game for one of the local hero, a loyal servant to Newcastle United and the last player from Sir John Hall’s Geordies Nation era, the one and only Steve Harper.

What makes him so special in the eyes of the Toon Army is he’s the perfect example of what the meaning of word loyalist is. He stays in the club even mostly just sitting on the bench during his long 20 years period as Toon player. He had his own war and stands for the club in good or bad situation, he defend his team mates when they’re in such problem, and ready to help them when they needed any.

In todays world of professional players, I thought it’s so hard to find another player with such high devotion to the club, willing to stay and playing when needed for the club, not only for the money.

In Steve Harper mind, where only few can understand, Newcastle United was always his number one as well as all the Toon Army who keep supporting the club no matter what. For that reason, Steve has urged the current owner to reward the club’s long-suffering supporters.

“The fans are demanding, even under (Kevin) Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson, they’d get restless if you weren’t winning at half-time, but all they really demand is you put a shift in,” Steve said

“They are working class people who want to see players put in the same shift they do in the week to put money in their pockets.”

Now, he’s joining Premier League newcomers Hull City and will always get the warm welcome when he coming back to St. James’ Park wearing the different shirt and playing in the opposite team. For how good he will become in his new team, you can place your bets at william hill, and I know he will be as good as he was while in Black-n-White.

Goodbye Steve and thanks for all you have done for the Magpies, you’re legends now and always be our local hero no matter where you are.

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A win against Chelsea would be our 1,000 post war league wins and also 100 league start for 33 years-old Harper. That would be our fourth win in succession at home. King Kev is not in the mood to be the first manager to taste a defeat against the London side since Chelsea’s have their last Premier League victory at St James’ Park was on 29 December 2001.

“My focus now is trying to win these last two football games we have and then trying to get three or four players in that can give us all a reason to come back with even more optimism than we have at the moment.” Keegan said.

Former United left-back Olivier Bernard also tipped United to do great once again and extend the unbeaten run into eight games. Bernard bagged the winner in 2003 against Chelsea to booked a place in the top four for the second season running under Sir Bobby Robson.

Steve Harper, who will mark his 100th league start with United said the game of the season would be against Chelsea at home on Monday. He said, we’re not interested in who wins the title, all we care about on Monday, is to go out and try to win that game.

He also praised Kevin Keegan’s tactical acumen since he returned to Newcastle United. Keegan’s phenomenal decision to change the Toon formation to a 4-3-3 formation at Birmingham has seen the Magpies flourish in recent weeks.

“He’s infectious, he just walks into a room and gets an extra 20 per cent out of players.” Harper said in SkySports website, “You have to give him a lot of credit tactically for what he did a couple of months ago. He changed the formation at Birmingham and got a big point when we needed it, and since then we’ve been a lot more solid at the back with a goal threat up front, and that’s a good combination.”

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For almost the last 10 years, Steve Harper (32 years-old) have been act as Shay Given deputy while the United number one goalkeeper is injured. But now it seems that the forgotten man has found the chance to be Newcastle United number one under Big Sam.

The news yesterday are busy speculating about Harper chance and Shay Given was in danger under Sam Allardyce. In my opinion, Big Sam would try to rotate the goallie for the good of United.

Steve Harper signed for United from non-league football in 1993 but took six years to break into the first team when Newcastle United played in the 1999 FA Cup Final against Manchester United in just his 10th senior match.

Steve has a good memory to thank former Newcastle United manager Kenny Dalglish. At that time, he was still on loan to Huddersfield, and he make some impressive appearance for them that hold the signing contract for him as Huddersfield player in permanent move.

Since then, he was Newcastle United number one during the 1999-2000 season, but an awfull injury push him to sideline and make the door open for Shay Given to take his place.

Was disappointed not to make any Premiership appearances during the 2001/02 season but was rewarded with a new five-year contract in the summer of 2002.

An all-round sportsman, and the holder of an Open University Degree, Steve is a qualified minor league referee and also plays local league cricket.

Steve made five starts in 2004/05, but only one in the Intertoto Cup in 2005/06.

Had a regular run in the side during September and October 2006 when Shay Given was injured at West Ham. Steve also helped Newcastle to their first-ever triumph in a competitive penalty shoot-out in the Carling Cup tie at Watford on November 7.

When Steve did play he turned in excellent displays each time and perhaps, had an injury just prior to the match at Leeds in January 2001 not ended his run of six successive games, he may well have held onto the first team jersey for the rest of the 2000-2001 season and becoming the England number one too.

This season he may found his Sharper to guard the Magpies goal, have 4 successive games of the season and may continued when Newcastle play away to Pride Park.

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