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Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust - Player Profile
Joe Harper Squad Index
Information:
1971-72 Squad Number:
9
Position:
Centre Forward
Date of Birth:
11th January 1948
Birthplace:
Greenock
Nationality:
Scottish
Height:
5' 6 1/4
Weight:
12st 9lb
Signed:
11th October 1969, 17th April 1976
Career History:
Larkfield BC
Morton 24th August 1963
Huddersfield Town 25th March 1967
Morton 1st August 1967
Aberdeen 11th October 1969
Everton 9th December 1972 £180,000
Hibernian 5th February 1974 £120,000
Aberdeen 17th April 1976 £40,000
Peterhead 7th August 1981 to May 1982 Player-manager
Keith 13th September 1982 to December 1982
To Australia 2nd February 1983
Rosslyn Sports June 1987
Huntly Sacked - September 1990
Devronvale Co-manager
 
Profile:
Full Name: Joseph Montgomery Harper

The 'King' as he was affectionately christened by his beloved Beach End. Signed from Morton in 1969 for £40,000, Harper was the answer to the Dons goal drought as the chunky striker set about devastating many a Scottish defence. Idolised at Pittodrie, 'goal a game Harper' achieved legendary status during his Pittodrie career that was broken by a spell with Everton and Hibs. Played in the Dons Cup winning sides of 1970 and 1976, and was still around as the Dons won the Premier in 1980. His ability around the goal and predatory instincts were his strengths, but his all round talent was often overlooked outwith the North East. His tally of only four caps did not do justice to his ability. Remains the clubs record goalscorer with a total of 199 goals. [The Evening Express tried to get the number over 200 but this was not universally recognised as the additional goals came from the Drybrough Cup tournament].

Towards the end of his playing career, Joe was granted a Testimonial Year which included a dinner held at the Skean Dubh Hotel on 20th December 1979 and a match played on 31st August 1980. The dinner attracted some controversy as the Testimonial Committee made it an all male event.

For many years in the 2000's Joe appeared as a columnist in the Evening Express and also helped out the Clubby acting as an Ambassador on matchdays.

Senior Aberdeen Debut: show all appearances
Date Result Competition Venue Att. Age at Debut Type
04/10/1969
Ayr United 1-2 Aberdeen
Div 1 (Old) 9,100 21 Start

Appearances
Season League League Cup Scottish Cup Europe Total Other
  App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Goals App Sub Goals
1980-81
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1979-80
8
3
3
7
0
3
0
0
0
2
0
1
17
3
7
2
1
2
1978-79
25
3
18
7
0
9
4
1
3
4
0
2
40
4
32
9
0
3
1977-78
31
0
17
6
0
6
4
0
4
2
0
0
43
0
27
5
0
6
1976-77
34
0
18
11
0
9
3
0
1
0
0
0
48
0
28
5
0
5
1975-76
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1972-73
13
0
11
11
0
15
0
0
0
2
0
1
26
0
27
6
0
12
1971-72
34
0
33
6
0
4
3
0
2
4
0
3
47
0
42
13
0
11
1970-71
30
1
19
5
0
5
4
0
2
2
0
1
41
1
27
5
0
3
1969-70
24
0
6
0
0
0
5
0
3
0
0
0
29
0
9
1
1
1
Totals:
200
7
125
53
0
51
23
1
15
16
0
8
292
8
199
47
3
43
Total Appearances/Goals: 300 199  

Scottish International Caps
Season Date
Match
 Tournament
1977-78 07/06/78
Iran v SCOTLAND
World Cup Finals
1975-76 03/09/75
Denmark v SCOTLAND
Euro Championship Qualifier
1972-73 15/11/72
SCOTLAND v Denmark
World Cup Qualifier
1972-73 18/10/72
Denmark v SCOTLAND
World Cup Qualifier
Total Appearances: 4