Steven James Harper (born 3 February 1969) is an English former footballer who scored 54 goals in 504 league games in a 15-year career in the Football League. He was a speedy winger, adept at dribbling the ball. He began his professional career at Port Vale in June 1987, before he was sold to Preston North End for £35,000 in March 1989. He joined Burnley on a free transfer in July 1991, and helped the "Clarets" to win the Fourth Division title in 1991–92. He moved on to Doncaster Rovers in August 1993, before he was sold on to Mansfield Town for a £20,000 fee in September 1995. He took a free transfer to Hull City in July 1999, before joining Darlington in February 2001. He left the Football League in 2002, and moved into non-league football with Kidsgrove Athletic. He later became a coach. Playing career Harper graduated through Port Vale juniors to sign professional forms under manager John Rudge in June 1987. He played regular football for the start of the 1987–88 season, and scored his first goal on 5 September, in a 2–1 victory over York City at Vale Park. However he lost his first team place in January, and finished the campaign with two goals in 25 games. He made eight appearances for the "Valiants" in the 1988–89 season, but fell out of favour and was sold to Third Division rivals Preston North End for £35,000 and 50% of any future transfer deal in March 1989. Preston were managed by former Port Vale boss John McGrath. Ironically the "Lambs" lost to Vale in the play-offs at the end of the 1988–89 campaign. They then dropped to 19th in 1989–90 and 17th in 1990–91 under Les Chapman's stewardship. Harper left Deepdale to join Fourth Division club Burnley on a free transfer in July 1991. He scored six goals in 48 games in 1991–92, as Frank Casper and Jimmy Mullen led the "Clarets" to promotion as champions. Harper scored five goals in 42 appearances in 1992–93, but departed Turf Moor after he was replaced by David Eyres and was given a free transfer to Doncaster Rovers in August 1993. Ian Atkins took "Donny" to 15th in the Third Division (previously called the Fourth Division) in 1993–94. He was then joined at Belle Vue by his former Burnley partner Ian Measham. Sammy Chung then led Rovers to ninth place