Draper began his career as a product of the youth system at Notts County, making his professional debut in December 1988. A talented midfielder, he became recognised by County supporters as one of the greatest young players ever developed at the club. After attracting the attention of a number of bigger clubs, Draper was finally sold during the 1994 close season to Leicester City for £1.25 million – a record fee for the club at the time. Draper spent the entire 1994–95 season at Filbert Street, playing 39 times in the Premier League and scoring five goals, although it was not enough to prevent relegation for a side who were never out of the bottom two after November. Despite this he was called up to the England squad by Terry Venables. His form attracted the attention of Aston Villa, who paid £3.25 million to keep him in the Premier League. Over the next four seasons Draper became a regular in the Aston Villa starting line-up, helping them to a League Cup win in 1996. He received another call up to the England squad, this time by Glenn Hoddle for a World Cup qualifier against Moldova. However, he stayed on the bench and was ultimately never capped for the senior team. Draper fell out of favour in the 1999–2000 season, appearing in only one game to bring his Villa total up to 120 league appearances, and was loaned to Rayo Vallecano in Spain. He was sold during that close season to Southampton for £1.5 million. By then approaching veteran stage, Draper added another 24 top flight appearances for the Saints before leaving the game. Draper made a brief playing comeback in 2009, signing for non-league side Dunkirk. Draper was enticed back into the local non league game by Paul Rawden who took Draper to East Midland Counties League side Radford FC as coach and the pair saved the club from relegation, Draper then followed Rawden to Arnold Town season 2012–13 for a brief spell before they both left for pastures new.
Personal life
He is currently involved in property development. In 2009, he rejoined his old club Notts County as their kit man. He currently works with ex-Aston Villa footballerDave Norton at their soccer school "Draper Norton Football", based in Nottingham.
