Tom Hopper (footballer) explained

Tom Hopper
Fullname:Thomas Edward Hopper[1]
Birth Date:14 December 1993[2]
Birth Place:Boston, England[3]
Height:1.86m (06.1feet)
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Colchester United
Clubnumber:14
Youthyears1:2006–2010
Youthclubs1:Boston United
Youthyears2:2010–2011
Youthclubs2:Leicester City
Years1:2011–2015
Clubs1:Leicester City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2012–2013
Clubs2:Bury (loan)
Caps2:22
Goals2:3
Years3:2015
Clubs3:Scunthorpe United (loan)
Caps3:12
Goals3:4
Years4:2015–2018
Clubs4:Scunthorpe United
Caps4:103
Goals4:20
Years5:2018–2020
Clubs5:Southend United
Caps5:28
Goals5:9
Years6:2020–2023
Clubs6:Lincoln City
Caps6:83
Goals6:14
Years7:2023–
Clubs7:Colchester United
Caps7:70
Goals7:7
Club-Update:17 August 2024 (UTC)

Thomas Edward Hopper (born 14 December 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Colchester United.

Club career

Early career

Tom Hopper began his career with Boston United. Hopper became Boston's youngest ever player, when aged 15 he came on as a substitute for goalscorer Spencer Weir-Daley for the final 13 minutes of a 2–1 Challenge Cup victory over Hucknall Town.[4] In the summer of 2010, Hopper signed for Leicester City and immediately began impressing in the club's youth teams.

Leicester City

Hopper signed his first professional contract with Leicester City in October 2011.[5] On 28 January 2012, Hopper was allocated the number 37 shirt and named on the substitutes bench for Leicester's FA Cup match against Swindon Town. He made his début as an 81st-minute substitute for David Nugent. Leicester won the match 2–0.[6] Hopper said of his debut that "It all seems like a blur, but something I have really enjoyed".[7]

Manager Nigel Pearson was said to be impressed by the youngster.[8] In May 2012, he was named as Leicester City's Academy Player of the Season.[9] Hopper was given the 21 number for the 2012–13 season.[10] On 14 September, Hopper joined Bury on a one-month loan deal.[11] Hopper scored twice in his first six games during a month-long loan spell at Bury, including his first ever professional league goal against Stevenage[12] and Crawley Town.[13] On 16 October Hopper extended his loan at Bury until 3 January 2013, which was then extended for the remainder of the 2012–13 season on 4 January 2013.[14] Hopper's loan spell was cut short and he was sent back to Leicester on 7 February 2013.[15]

Hopper finished the season with Leicester City Development Squad & Academy, helping them to win the 2012–13 Professional Development League 2 and the HKFC International Soccer Sevens cup tournament.[16] [17] Hopper was allocated the number 20 shirt at the beginning of the 2013–14 season[18] and was named as an unused substitute in Leicester's 2–1 Football League Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers on 6 August. He made his first appearance of the season in the next round of the League Cup, replacing Chris Wood in the 66th minute of a 5–2 win at Carlisle United.[19] On 30 May 2014, Hopper signed a new two-year deal.[20]

Hopper was an unused substitute in Leicester's first two Premier League fixtures, against Everton and Chelsea in August 2014.

Scunthorpe United

On 8 January 2015, Hopper joined League One outfit Scunthorpe United on a one-month loan.[21] Hopper made his debut on 10 January 2015, scoring in the 4–1 victory against Walsall.[22] After scoring 4 goals in 4 games, Hopper's loan was extended until the end on the season on 2 February 2015.[23] Hopper was nominated for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month award for January, missing out to Dele Alli of MK Dons.[24] After his Leicester contract was terminated, he joined Scunthorpe on a permanent basis on 26 June 2015.[25]

Southend United

Hopper signed for Southend United on 15 June 2018 on a three-year deal.[26] He scored on his debut in a 3–2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers.[27]

Lincoln City

Hopper signed for Lincoln City on 23 January 2020 for an undisclosed fee, on a contract running until 2023.[28] On 28 July 2022, Hopper was made the captain of the club following the departure of Liam Bridcutt.[29]

Colchester United

On 26 January 2023, Hopper joined Colchester United for an undisclosed fee.

On 11 February 2023, Hopper scored his first Colchester goal, a close range header in a 1–0 victory away at Grimsby.[30]

Personal life

In May 2015, Hopper and teammates James Pearson and Adam Smith made a sex tape with local women on Leicester's tour of Thailand, which was obtained by the Sunday Mirror. The three players apologised for making the video, which included a racial epithet towards the women.[31] Following the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, the three players had their contracts terminated.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leicester City2011–12Championship0010000010
2012–13Championship0000000000
2013–14Championship0000200020
2014–15Premier League0000000000
Total0010200030
Bury (loan)2012–13League One223002000243
Scunthorpe United (loan)2014–15League One124000000124
Scunthorpe United2015–16League One34800101[32] 0368
2016–17League One315111040376
2017–18League One38730104[33] 2469
Total1372741509215530
Southend United2018–19League One147000000147
2019–20League One142100011163
Total2891000113010
Lincoln City2019–20League One8200000082
2020–21League One39800316 24811
2021–22League One202001111214
2022–23League One162002043225
Total8314006211610022
Colchester United2022–23League Two333002043394
2023–24League Two354101040414
2024–25League Two2000110021
Total707104183829
Career Total3175771173291237071

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club list of registered players . English Football League . 62 . 20 May 2017 . 6 October 2017.
  2. Web site: Tom Hopper. 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 21 July 2018.
  3. Book: Glenda. Rollin. Jack. Rollin. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013. 2012. Headline. London. 978-0-7553-6356-8. 484. 43rd.
  4. News: Hopper makes Boston United history. The Boston Standard. 25 November 2009. 1 March 2015.
  5. Web site: Tom Hopper Signs Pro Contract . Leicester City F.C. . 1 March 2015 . 7 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111009074328/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~2475259,00.html . 9 October 2011 . unfit .
  6. News: Jermaine Beckford continued his superb scoring record in the FA Cup with both goals against a plucky Swindon side. 22 August 2012. BBC Sport. 28 January 2012.
  7. News: Leicester City academy striker Hopper straight back to earth – cleaning boots!. 22 August 2012. Leicester Mercury. 31 January 2012.
  8. News: Academy prospect Tom Hopper making big impression with Leicester City. 22 August 2012. Leicester Mercury. 27 February 2012.
  9. News: Tom Hopper's season to savour with Leicester City ends with top Foxes award. 22 August 2012. Boston Standard. 12 May 2012.
  10. Web site: Leicester City First Team Squad Numbers Confirmed . Leicester City F.C. . 1 March 2015 . 3 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140813210333/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/030812-first-team-squad-numbers-confirmed-293774.aspx . 13 August 2014 . unfit .
  11. Web site: Bury loan for Hopper . Leicester City F.C. . LCFC.com . 14 September 2012 . 14 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120917054730/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/140912-bury-loan-for-hopper-366711.aspx . 17 September 2012 . unfit .
  12. News: Stevenage 2-2 Bury. BBC Sport. 27 September 2012. 1 March 2015.
  13. News: Crawley Town 3-2 Bury. BBC Sport. 12 October 2012. 1 March 2015.
  14. Web site: Young Pro extend loan spells . Leicester City F.C. . LCFC.co.uk . 4 January 2013 . 4 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105444/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/040113-young-pros-extend-loan-spells-578398.aspx . 31 May 2014 . unfit .
  15. Web site: Hopper returns to Leicester . Bury F.C. . 1 March 2015 . 7 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130211145658/http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/hopper-returns-to-leicester-643601.aspx . 11 February 2013 . unfit .
  16. Web site: U21s Seal Top Spot With 3–0 Win . lcfc.com . 1 March 2015 . 8 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130527002101/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/080313-under-21s-seal-top-spot-with-3-0-win-760282.aspx . 27 May 2013 . unfit .
  17. Web site: Foxes Secure Hong Kong Sevens Crown . lcfc.com . 1 March 2015 . 26 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130616235730/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/260513-foxes-secure-hong-kong-sevens-crown-835455.aspx . 16 June 2013 . unfit .
  18. News: Leicester City announce squad numbers for 2013-14 season. Leicester Mercury. 25 July 2013. 1 March 2015.
  19. Web site: Carlisle 2–5 Leicester. BBC Sport. 27 August 2013.
  20. Web site: New Deal for Hopper . Leicester City FC . 30 May 2014 . 31 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140530195413/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/300514-new-deal-for-hopper-1591157.aspx . 30 May 2014 . unfit .
  21. Web site: Hopper Heads To Scunthorpe on Loan . Leicester City . 8 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150109011921/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/hopper-heads-to-scunthorpe-on-loan-2189242.aspx . 9 January 2015 . unfit .
  22. Web site: REPORT: WALSALL 1–4 IRON . Scunthorpe United . 10 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110191902/http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/report-walsall-1-4-iron-2194299.aspx . 10 January 2015 . unfit .
  23. Web site: Hopper Extends Scunthorpe Loan . Leicester City . 2 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150202184606/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/hopper-extends-scunthorpe-loan-2243164.aspx . 2 February 2015 . unfit .
  24. Web site: Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month nominations . Football League . 4 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207124340/http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/sky-bet-league-1-player-of-the-month-nominations-2246162.aspx . 7 February 2015 . unfit .
  25. News: Tom Hopper: Scunthorpe sign sacked Leicester City striker. 26 June 2015. BBC Sport. 26 June 2015.
  26. Web site: Hopper is a Blue!.
  27. News: Southend United 2-3 Doncaster Rovers. BBC Sport.
  28. Web site: Imps welcome Tom Hopper. . 23 January 2020.
  29. News: Tom Hopper announced as captain for 2022/23. 28 July 2022. Lincoln City Official Site. 28 July 2022.
  30. News: Hopper completes Imps exit. 26 January 2023 . Lincoln City FC . 26 January 2023.
  31. News: Leicester City trio apologise for behaviour on Thailand tour. 31 May 2015. BBC News. 31 May 2015.
  32. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  33. Two appearances in EFL Trophy and two in League One play-offs