William Harper (19 January 1897 – 12 April 1989) was a Scottish goalkeeper who played for, among others, Hibernian, Arsenal, Fall River and Plymouth Argyle.
Born in Lanarkshire but largely raised in Winchburgh, West Lothian, he initially followed his father into the blacksmith trade while also playing football for several junior teams.
During the First World War he enlisted in the British Army and served with the 5th Brigade of the Scots Guards on the Western Front.
[3] Harper made his Scottish Football League debut for Hibernian against Airdrie on 1 September 1920.
[3] In November 1925 Harper became one of Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman's first signings, joining the club for £4,000, then a record fee for a goalkeeper.
Harper became Arsenal's first-choice keeper straight away, displacing Jock Robson and young Welshman Dan Lewis.
Dan Lewis had by now left the club, and Harper became first choice over Charlie Preedy and Gerard Keizer.
When the Soccer Wars were resolved, new league rules forbid the ownership of two or more clubs and Mark's decided to sell Boston.
[3][6] During the summer of 1930 Harper rejoined Fall River and played in friendlies against Rangers and Kilmarnock and was a member of the 'Marksmen' squad that toured Central Europe.