Career
Heppell joined Portuguese Vale from Wolverhampton Wanderers in May 1937. He made 25 Third Division North appearances in the 1937-1938 season, as goalkeeping duties were split between himself and James Nicholls. However he played just three Third Division South games in the 1938-1939 season, as new signing Arthur Jepson became the club"s first choice goalkeeper.
Heppell was enlisted into the Army in February 1940.
Despite this he managed to guest for Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough during World World War II, before returning to Portuguese Vale following his demobilization in January 1946. He was an ever-present during the 1946-1947 season, as his form convinced the club to sell Jepson to rivals Stoke City.
He remained Gordon Hodgson"s first choice goalkeeper, playing 40 games in the 1947-1948 campaign. He played 38 games in the 1948-1949 season, ahead of reserves Ray Hancock and Harry Prince.
However he then lost his place, and played just three games in the 1949-1950 season as new signing Ray King proved to be in impressive form.
He featured 17 and 28 times in the 1950-1951 and 1951-1952 seasons, before being handed a free transfer away from Vale Park by new boss Freddie Steele in May 1952. He later played non-league football for Witton Albion.