Primarily an inside forward, Harper also played non-league football for clubs including Darlaston, Romford, Burton Albion, Nuneaton Borough, Stafford Rangers and Brierley Hill Alliance.
[3] Harper signed amateur forms with Birmingham City at the start of the 1955–56 season,[5] and turned professional the following August despite still having six months left of his National Service commitments with the RAF.
[6] He was brought into the travelling party on 20 February as cover in case Bolton Wanderers' pitch proved too firm for Peter Murphy's troublesome knee; it was, Harper made his First Division debut, and Birmingham lost 3–1.
[7][8] He was transfer-listed at the end of the next season, but re-signed in June after joint manager Arthur Turner gave him another chance, believing that "the frail-looking Harper could make the grade if he put a bit more snap in his game.
[11] He helped Romford win the Southern League Division One title, and scored seven goals from 50 appearances before leaving the club in the middle of the next season to join Burton Albion.