Reading FC

James Harper made more than 340 appearances for Reading FC
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Australian Federici admits Harper left a big hole at Reading FC

By Jonny Fordham
January 26, 2010

Adam Federici believes that James Harper wanted to stay at Reading and confessed that his departure to Sheffield United left a big hole in the Royals camp.

Harper had been at Madejski Stadium for eight and a half years.

Sheffiled United v Reading FC LIVE

But he was shipped out on loan to tonight’s opponents United in August to help balance the books at Reading and Federici admits that the 29-year-old has been missed.

He said: “I’m pretty sure he would want to come back here, but that’s not the case and that can’t be done, but we just need to get on with it and deal with it.

“He loves this place, he was here a long time and most of all he loves all the boys in the squad. I’m 100 per cent certain he’ll be wishing us the best and hoping we get out of the trouble we’re in.

“He’s a fantastic player and it was sad to see him go, he was also a voice around the squad as I’m sure all you all know. We always hear from James, we can here him talking up in Sheffield!”

Former Arsenal trainee Harper made five appearances for Royals this season before making his move and he will be out of contract this summer.

Under Kevin Blackwell he has played 18 Championship games, scoring three goals and has also linked-up with former team-mate Glen Little who joined the Blades from Portsmouth last summer.

Harper could start for Blackwell’s seventh-placed side tonight (7.45pm kick-off), but one of Blackwell's old midfielders Brian Howard, now at Reading, will have to make do with a place on the bench.

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Feds - Doyle, Hunt, Kitson, Sidwell & Shorey - are bigger holes in the shape of 140 odd goals!!!

Robsy , Reading
27/01/2010 at 14:15

Never mind Feds, at least the Chairman saved some more money by letting another quality player go.

Part of me hopes he goes and scores against us thus reinforcing how mad Madejski was to let him and so many other good players leave in the interests of cutting our cloth to shreds and balancing the books with all the finesse of the Titanic post it's acquaintance with the iceberg.

I don't know about the band still playing but two unfortunate managers have been left desperately trying to rearrange the deck chairs!