Outside Football
Harper is also a Football Association-approved referee, one of the few professional footballers to have earned their referee's licence. This was subject to analysis during Sky Sports News' Respect The Ref campaign, where appointing former footballers as referees was seen as a way to increase the respect shown to referees on the pitch. Harper is considering becoming a referee when he retires from playing.
He has a social sciences degree from the Open University, for which he studied whilst playing for the Newcastle reserve team. Harper also enjoys reading, as well as golf, which he plays with former Newcastle United teammate Alan Shearer.
Read more about this topic: Steve Harper
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