Bill Hopper (footballer) explained

Bill Hopper
Fullname:William Hopper[1]
Birth Date:20 February 1938
Birth Place:Bishop Auckland, England
Position:Centre forward
Youthyears1:
Years1:
Clubs1:Bishop Auckland
Years2:1960
Clubs2:Crook Town
Years3:1960–1961
Clubs3:West Auckland Town
Years4:1961–1963
Caps4:35
Goals4:9
Years5:1963–1965
Clubs5:Workington
Caps5:46
Goals5:14
Years6:1965–1966
Clubs6:Darlington
Caps6:6
Goals6:0
Years7:1966–1967
Years8:1967–19??
Clubs8:Stockton

William Hopper (born 20 February 1938) was an English former footballer who played as a centre forward in the Football League for Halifax Town, Workington and Darlington,[2] and in non-league football for several clubs in the north-east of England.

Life and career

Hopper was born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and began his football career with his hometown club. He moved on to Crook Town and then West Auckland Town – scoring five goals on his debut for each club, against Stanley United on each occasion, and in his last match for West Auckland, a Northern League club, scoring the equaliser as they came back from three goals behind to draw with Barnsley of the Football League Third Division in the 1960–61 FA Cup.[3]

In 1961, he signed as a full-time professional with Halifax Town, two years later moved on to Workington, and finished his Football League career with six league appearances for Darlington as they were promoted from the Fourth Division in 1965–66.[4] Hopper scored one of the goals as Darlington eliminated First Division club Blackpool, whose team contained four England internationals, from that season's League Cup. Knee cartilage problems meant he then dropped back into non-league football with South Shields and Stockton.

Before turning professional, he had worked as a steam locomotive fireman, and afterwards worked for engineering company GEC.

References

General

Specific

Notes and References

  1. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–1998 . 1998 . Queen Anne Press . 978-1-85291-585-8 . 265.
  2. Web site: Bill Hopper . Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Players Database . Neil Brown . 15 January 2015.
  3. News: Shildon recall days of tripe and pickled onions . The Northern Echo . Middlesbrough . 4 November 2003 . 20 July 2017.
  4. News: Wallowing in nostalgia as Lol's lads return to a field of dreams . The Northern Echo . Middlesbrough . 20 November 2003 . 20 July 2017.