Background
Hopper was born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and began his football career with his hometown club
Hopper was born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and began his football career with his hometown club
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 1965-1966. 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 General Electric Company.