A PREMIER LEAGUE club legend has emerged as a surprise contender to become Durham’s new director of cricket.
Durham are looking for a new face to fill one of their most important roles after Marcus North’s successful eight-year tenure.
Steve Harper is a contender for Durham’s director of cricket job Credit: Getty
Marcus North left Durham to take over as England’s National Selector Credit: Getty
North, 46, took Durham back to Division One but stepped down to become England Men’s National Selector last month.
Whoever picks up where the Aussie left off will have big shoes to fill.
And according to the Daily Mail , hero Steve Harper is a shock name on the list.
Harper, 51, is the longest-serving player in Magpies history, having arrived in 1993 and left in 2013.
Much of that stint was spent as a back-up goalkeeper but he still racked up 199 senior appearances.
The safe pair of hands has spent the past five years as the director of Newcastle’s academy.
But having earned a masters degree in sport directorship, he is believed to be open to venturing away from .
fanatic Harper was born in Durham and plays for South Northumberland.
Harper is the longest-serving player in Newcastle’s history Credit: AFP
The stopper had loan spells at Bradford, Gateshead, Stockport, Hartlepool, Huddersfield and Brighton during his time in the North East.
He went on to enjoy two seasons at before controversially spending six months at former foes without making a first-team appearance.
Durham are also considering the ECB’s elite bowling coach, Neil Killeen, for the director of cricket role.
Killeen banked three decades’ worth of experience as a player and a coach with Durham and is seen as a strong contender.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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