Hopkins: William (Tot)

1919-1919 (Leeds City Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Esh Winning, Co Durham: 11-11-1888

Debut: v Blackpool (a): 30-08-1919

Height & Weight: Unknown

Hopkins started his football career with his home town team Esh Winning Rangers before joining Crook Town in 1907. He then had an unsuccessful trial with Derby County before returning to Esh Winning Rangers and later joining Stanley United before signing for Sunderland in May 1912. He had played ten games at Roker Park before the Football League fixtures were suspended for the duration of WW1. Sunderland were one of the clubs that refused to play football while a war was in progress and their players guested with other clubs. On resumption of the Football League Hopkins was signed by Leeds City for £50 in July 1919. He was unfortunate enough to choose Leeds and soon found himself embroiled in the demise of the club. He had played seven of the eight games that City played in the 1919-20 season before they were banned from the Football League. He was one of the players who were auctioned at the Metropole Hotel and he was sold to Second Division South Shields for £600 in October 1919. He stayed with them for almost two seasons scoring twice in sixty-one League games and also played four games in the F.A. Cup. He joined Third Division North Hartlepools United in June 1921 and played in their first game in the Football League on debut on 27th August 1921 at Wrexham which was won 2-0. He played his final game for the Monkey-Hangers on 28th April 1923 in a 2-0 win at home to Grimsby. In between Hopkins scored once in fifty-three League appearances but was goalless in three F.A. Cup ties. He then joined Third Division North Durham City in August 1923, where he spent two seasons scoring three goals in fifty-two League games and two more goals in five F.A. Cup-ties. He became the Durham City coach in August 1924. After retiring he was Assistant Trainer at Sheffield United, and then Trainer at Charlton Athletic before becoming Grimsby Town’s Trainer in June 1931. He became Port Vale Trainer in 1935 and Barnsley’s Trainer in 1936. He died suddenly on 26th January 1938 at Blackpool, aged forty-nine while preparing Barnsley for a Fourth Round F.A. Cup replay against Manchester United.