Vincent Harper
{{Short description|Kenyan footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}{{Infobox football biography
| name = Vincent Harper
| full_name = Vincent McDyess Harper{{cite web |title=EFL: Squad list 2023/24 & U21 registered contract players |url=https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gc-media-assets.gc.eflservices.co.uk/f9455bd0-4dac-11ee-8864-711544c578ce.pdf |publisher=English Football League |page=70 |date=7 September 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|22|df=y}}
| height =
| birth_place = Nairobi, Kenya
| position = Left-back
| currentclub = Exeter City
| clubnumber = 18
| youthyears1 = –2019
| youthclubs1 = Bristol City
| years1 = 2019–2021
| clubs1 = Bristol City
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2019
| clubs2 = → Gloucester City (loan)
| caps2 = 15
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2019
| clubs3 = → Weston-super-Mare (loan)
| caps3 = ?
| goals3 = ?
| clubs4 = → Bath City (loan)
| years4 = 2020
| goals4 = 0
| caps4 = 2
| years5 = 2021
| clubs5 = Chippenham Town
| caps5 = 3
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2021–2023
| clubs6 = Eastleigh
| caps6 = 69
| goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2023–
| clubs7 = Exeter City
| caps7 = 46
| goals7 = 2
| nationalteam1 = England C
| nationalyears1 = 2023
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 14:36, 8 March 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 20:58, 5 October 2023 (UTC)
}}
Vincent McDyess Harper (born 22 September 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for {{English football updater|ExeterCi}} side Exeter City. Born in Kenya, he has represented the England national C team.
Personal life
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Harper moved to England when he was a toddler. He holds a dual citizenship. His brother, Ashley, also joined the Bristol City youth ranks, though he dropped into non-league and now doesn't play football professionally.{{Cite web |title=Ashley Harper |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/ashley-harper |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Aylesbury United}}
Club career
= Bristol City =
Harper joined Bristol City and progressed through their youth ranks. Impressing at under-16 level, he was promoted to the under-18s, where he scored two goals on debut.{{Cite web |date=15 June 2017 |orig-date=10 October 2016 |title=Report: Watford U18s 0-2 Bristol City U18s |url=https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/report-watford-u18s-0-2-bristol-city-u18s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525025414/https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/report-watford-u18s-0-2-bristol-city-u18s/ |archive-date=25 May 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bristol City FC}} Harper would sign his first professional contract in May 2019.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2019 |title=Mäenpää to remain in BS3 |url=https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/maeenpaeae-to-remain-in-bs3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010092819/https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/maeenpaeae-to-remain-in-bs3/ |archive-date=10 October 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bristol City FC}} Following three loan spells, Harper was released at the end of the 2020–21 season.{{Cite web |date=31 March 2021 |title=Contract options for young Robins |url=https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/contract-options-for-young-robins/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528144529/https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/contract-options-for-young-robins/ |archive-date=28 May 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bristol City FC}}
== Loan spells ==
On 31 July 2019, Harper joined National League North side, Gloucester City on loan.{{Cite tweet|number=1156535422648037376|user=GCAFCofficial|title=Transfer News: 2 more signings as Kieran Smith and Vincent Harper join|date=31 July 2019|access-date=19 September 2023}} Harper would score one goal for the club, scoring a consolation goal in a 5–1 defeat to Spennymoor Town.{{Cite web |date=26 October 2019 |title=Spennymoor Town 5 - 1 Gloucester City |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/archive8875-match-info/match-centre/1-4488600 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=The National League}} Harper would make 15 league appearances for Gloucester, before returning to Bristol in December.
On 10 December 2019, Harper joined Southern Football League side, Weston-super-Mare on a one-month loan deal.{{Cite web |last=Drury |first=Liam |date=10 December 2019 |title=HARPER ARRIVES AT THE OPTIMA |url=https://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/harper-arrives-at-the-optima/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527041715/https://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk/harper-arrives-at-the-optima/ |archive-date=27 May 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=www.westonsmareafc.co.uk}} Following the conclusion of the loan deal, Harper joined Bath City on a loan deal until the end of the season.{{Cite web |date=9 January 2020 |title=Player News |url=https://www.bathcityfc.com/player-news-54/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325190014/https://www.bathcityfc.com/player-news-54/ |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bath City FC}} He was recalled 21 February 2020,{{Cite web |date=21 February 2020 |title=Player News |url=https://www.bathcityfc.com/player-news-57/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919213808/https://www.bathcityfc.com/player-news-57/ |archive-date=19 September 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bath City FC}} after only playing two games – a 1–0 victory to Concord Rangers,{{Cite web |date=15 February 2020 |title=CONCORD RANGERS (0) 0 BATH CITY (1) 1 – SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2020 – VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH – THE ASPECT ARENA |url=https://www.bathcityfc.com/concord-rangers-0-0-bath-city-1-1-saturday-15-february-2020-vanarama-national-league-south-the-aspect-arena/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704055227/https://www.bathcityfc.com/concord-rangers-0-0-bath-city-1-1-saturday-15-february-2020-vanarama-national-league-south-the-aspect-arena/ |archive-date=4 July 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bath City}} and a 0–0 draw to Dorking Wanderers.{{Cite web |date=1 February 2020 |title=DORKING WANDERERS (0) 0 BATH CITY (0) 0 – VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH – SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2020 – MEADOWBANK STADIUM |url=https://www.bathcityfc.com/dorking-wanderers-0-0-bath-city-0-0-vanarama-national-league-south-saturday-1-february-2020-meadowbank-stadium/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704055826/https://www.bathcityfc.com/dorking-wanderers-0-0-bath-city-0-0-vanarama-national-league-south-saturday-1-february-2020-meadowbank-stadium/ |archive-date=4 July 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bath City FC}}
= Chippenham Town =
On 20 August 2021, Harper joined National League North side, Chippenham Town, following a successful trial during pre-season.{{Cite web |date=20 August 2021 |title=PLAYER NEWS: Vincent Harper signs |url=https://chippenhamtown.com/player-news-vincent-harper-signs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329202854/https://chippenhamtown.com/player-news-vincent-harper-signs/ |archive-date=29 March 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Chippenham Town}} He would make his league debut for Chippenham in a 1–0 victory to Slough Town.{{Cite web |date=29 August 2021 |title=MATCH REPORT: Slough Town 0-1 Chippenham Town – Sat 28th Aug 2021 |url=https://chippenhamtown.com/slough-town-0-1-chippenham-town-sat-28th-august-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329195707/https://chippenhamtown.com/slough-town-0-1-chippenham-town-sat-28th-august-2021/ |archive-date=29 March 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Chippenham Town FC}} Having only been at Chippenham for a month, Harper was subject to a seven-day approach from Eastleigh.{{Cite web |date=7 September 2021 |title=Latest Player Updates: Tuesday 7th September 2021 |url=https://chippenhamtown.com/latest-player-updates-tuesday-7th-september-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329184833/https://chippenhamtown.com/latest-player-updates-tuesday-7th-september-2021/ |archive-date=29 March 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Chippenham Town FC}}
= Eastleigh =
On 7 September 2021, Harper joined National League side, Eastleigh on a permanent deal.{{Cite web |title=NEW SIGNING {{!}} VINCENT HARPER JOINS THE SPITFIRES |url=https://www.eastleighfc.com/new-signing-vincent-harper-joins-the-spitfires/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203053654/https://www.eastleighfc.com/new-signing-vincent-harper-joins-the-spitfires/ |archive-date=3 February 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Eastleigh FC}} Eastleigh had begun monitoring Harper after he impressed in his trial game at Chippenham, which was against Eastleigh.{{Cite web |last=House |first=Alfie |date=9 September 2021 |title=Eastleigh FC permanently sign ex-Bristol City Vince Harper |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/19570973.eastleigh-fc-permanently-sign-ex-bristol-city-vince-harper/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309020501/https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/19570973.eastleigh-fc-permanently-sign-ex-bristol-city-vince-harper/ |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Daily Echo}} Harper would make his debut in the next game, coming off the bench in the 63rd minute in a 1–1 draw to Barnet.{{Cite web |date=11 September 2021 |title=Barnet 1 1 Eastleigh |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58445023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208085954/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58445023 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=BBC}} Quickly establishing himself as a starter, he would score his first goal for Eastleigh in a 3–3 draw against King's Lynn Town.{{Cite web |date=30 April 2022 |title=King's Lynn Town 3-3 Eastleigh |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/04/30/england/conference-national/kings-lynn-town-fc/eastleigh-fc/3546045/ |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Soccerway}} The struggling Eastleigh side would finish 19th, two places away from relegation, with Harper featuring in 36 games.
The following season, Harper would maintain his place in the starting eleven. Harper would come on as a 67th minute substitute against Scunthorpe United and score both goals in a 2–0 victory.{{Cite web |last=Bunclark |first=Jack |title=REPORT {{!}} EASTLEIGH 2-0 SCUNTHORPE UNITED |url=https://www.eastleighfc.com/spitfires-2-0-scunthorpe-united/ |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Eastleigh FC}} He would score again in the following league game – a 5–2 victory against Maidstone United.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Kieran |date=10 November 2022 |title=Eastleigh beat 10 men Maidstone 5-2 |url=https://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2022/11/eastleigh-beat-10-men-maidstone-5-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110134744/https://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2022/11/eastleigh-beat-10-men-maidstone-5-2/ |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Eastleigh News}} Harper would feature 33 times in the league as Eastleigh finished ninth, two positions away from the play-offs.
= Exeter City =
On 21 June 2023, Harper would join League One side, Exeter City on a two-year deal with an option for an additional third year.{{Cite web |date=21 June 2023 |title=✍️ Vincent Harper is a Grecian! |url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/vincent-harper-signs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624190617/https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/vincent-harper-signs/ |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Exeter City FC}} The signing was funded by the 1931 Fund, a group who pay money each month to raise around £15,000 to sign a player and part-fund them for a season.{{Cite web |date=21 June 2023 |title=📝 Vincent Harper to wear the Number 31 shirt! |url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/vincent-harper-1931/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705180619/https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/vincent-harper-1931 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Exeter City FC}} Harper would make his debut for Exeter, coming on as a substitute in the 16th minute for the injured Demetri Mitchell, in a 3–0 victory against Wycombe Wanderers.{{Cite web |date=5 August 2023 |title=📝 Match Report: Wycombe Wanderers 0 City 3 |url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/august/wycombe-a/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831090828/https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/august/wycombe-a/ |archive-date=31 August 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Exeter City FC}}
On 5 May 2025, Exeter announced the player would leave the club in June when his contract expired.{{Cite web |title=Exeter City Retained List 2025 {{!}} Exeter City F.C. |url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/retained25 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=www.exetercityfc.co.uk |language=en}}
International career
Having been born in Kenya, but moving to England at a young age, Harper is eligible to play for both the Kenya national team and the England national team. In an interview in 2018, Harper said it would be a case of which football association asked him to represent first.{{Cite web |last=Ojumbe |first=Adhiambo |date=25 January 2018 |title=Bristol City ace ready to feature for Harambee Stars |url=https://hivisasa.com/posts/bristol-city-ace-ready-to-feature-for-harambee-stars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919225349/https://hivisasa.com/posts/bristol-city-ace-ready-to-feature-for-harambee-stars |archive-date=19 September 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Hivisasa}}{{Cite web |date=16 May 2022 |title=Budding Kenyan defender wins award in England |url=https://www.mozzartsport.co.ke/football/news/budding-kenyan-defender-wins-award-in-england/16657 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919224923/https://www.mozzartsport.co.ke/football/news/budding-kenyan-defender-wins-award-in-england/16657 |archive-date=19 September 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Mozzart Sport}}
In March 2023, Harper was included in Paul Fairclough's provisional 25-man England C squad.{{Cite web |last=Forrester |first=Richard |date=6 March 2023 |title=Former Bristol City academy prospect earns international call-up |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-city-academy-prospect-international-8217750 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Bristol Post}} On 21 March 2023, he played the full 90 minutes in England C's 1–0 victory against Wales C.{{Cite web |date=21 March 2023 |title=England C 1-0 Cymru C: Ryan De Havilland seals win for Three Lions |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/438228/england-c-1-0-cymru-c-ryan-de-havilland-seals-win-for-three-lions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326022831/https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/438228/england-c-1-0-cymru-c-ryan-de-havilland-seals-win-for-three-lions/ |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=The Non-League Football Paper}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 8 March 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |FA Cup ! colspan="2" |League Cup ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |
|---|
| rowspan="3" |Bristol City
| rowspan="2"|EFL Championship |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| 2020–21
|0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 |
| Gloucester City (loan)
|2019–20{{Soccerway|id=529564|name=Vincent Harper|access-date=19 September 2023}} |15 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |15 |1 |
| Weston-super-Mare (loan)
|2019–20{{Cite web |title=Vincent Harper |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/vincent-harper |access-date=19 September 2023 |website=Aylesbury United}} |3 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |3 |0 |
| Bath City (loan)
|rowspan="2"|National League South |2 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |2 |0 |
| Chippenham Town
|3 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |3 |0 |
| rowspan="3" |Eastleigh
|rowspan="2"|National League |36 |1 |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2{{Efn|Appearances in FA Trophy|name=FAT}} |0 |41 |1 |
| 2022–23
|33 |4 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |3{{Efn|Appearances in FA Trophy|name=FAT}} |0 |37 |4 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!69 !5 !4 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !5 !0 !78 !5 |
| rowspan="3"|Exeter City
|2023–24{{Soccerbase season|123653 |2023|name=Vincent Harper|access-date=29 January 2023}} |rowspan="2"|EFL League One |31 |1 |1 |0 |4 |0 |1{{Efn|Appearances in EFL Trophy|name=EFT}} |0 |37 |1 |
| 2024–25{{Soccerbase season|123653|2024|name=Vincent Harper|access-date=11 January 2025}}
|15 |1 |3 |1 |1 |0 |2{{Efn|Appearances in EFL Trophy|name=EFT}} |0 |21 |2 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!46 !2 !4 !1 !5 !0 !3 !0 !58 !3 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!138 !8 !8 !1 !5 !0 !8 !0 !159 !9 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Soccerway|id=529564|name=Vincent Harper}}
{{Exeter City F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, Vincent}}
Category:Footballers from Nairobi
Category:Kenyan men's footballers
Category:Kenya men's international footballers
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Bristol City F.C. players
Category:Gloucester City A.F.C. players
Category:Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. players
Category:Bath City F.C. players
Category:Chippenham Town F.C. players
Category:Eastleigh F.C. players
Category:Exeter City F.C. players