Steve Harper suffered a stroke on Monday and is now recovering in hospital

Newcastle United Football Club has today revealed that its current Academy Director and longest-ever serving player Steve Harper suffered a "subarachnoid haemorrhage" on Monday.

The NHS website describes a subarachnoid haemorrhage as a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding in the space surrounding the brain. The condition is said to require immediate medical attention and often involves surgical intervention to relieve pressure on the brain.

Harper is an Easington lad and made of stern stuff, so you shouldn't be surprised to hear that he is now awake and recovering in the hospital. Still, this was a very serious episode that could have been potentially fatal for the 48-year-old former shot-stopper.

The goalkeeper spent 20 years on the books at St. James' Park between 1993 and 2013. Following his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and was appointed as the full-time Academy Director in 2021.

The club says it is committed to providing Steve with all the support he needs on his journey to full health and has shared its best wishes to him and his family.

All of us here at NUFC.news would like to do the same, too, and also give our thanks to the NHS staff who are apparently doing a marvellous job in looking after him.