Harper Fulfils His Dream!

Last updated : 18 April 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Steve Harper: "It will be my first derby with Sunderland at St James' Park.

"I have played twice at the Stadium of Light and we have drawn both of those games.

"It will certainly be different to those two games. I have played in front of 48,000 of their fans, and it will be different on Sunday when there are 52,000 Geordies screaming us on.

"It was great to be part of it at the Stadium of Light, and it will be the same on Sunday.

"Easington (where he was born) is probably 60-40 in their favour, and while there are quite a few Geordies there, they are outnumbered. But they are a vocal lot and the rivalry is good.

"I don't think you can fail to know what it means when you live in a city like Newcastle.

"It lives and breathes football, and you have seen in the last month what a difference it has made around the city.

"The doom and gloom that was hanging over the city has gone and the place is bouncing again now.

"It's a big high-pressure game but we are going into it with a lot of confidence."