Locally-based centre-back who joined the Pitmen in June 2026 from Enterprise National League North side Oxford City

​

A tall, powerful left-sided defender, Smethwick-born Harper-Bailey was originally a junior at Rushall Olympic before signing professional forms with West Bromwich Albion in 2022. He played for the Baggies' U23 side for the 2022-3023 and 2023-2024 seasons, making twenty-eight appearances overall before being released at the end of the season. He spent a short loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers midway through his second season at the Hawthorns, making a handful of appearances during his month at Aggborough

​

The youngster elected to move across the Irish Sea in July 2024, joining League of Ireland Premier Division side Drogheda United. His first season at Sullivan & Lambe Park saw him used mainly as a substitute as Drogheda finished ninth in the table - narrowly avoiding relegation - but beating Derry City to claim the FAI Cup

​

The 2025 season was a slight improvement with an eighth-placed finish as Harper-Bailey made more starts for the Claret & Blue Army. With the season at a finish, Harper-Bailey returned to England in January 2026 to join Oxford City, where he was in highly impressive form as they finished seventeenth in the table

​

Harper-Bailey was one of two players confirmed as new signings by the club on 19th June, signing on the same day as former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Sonny Sharples

​