Remembering Tony
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Born on the 31st May, 1976 but taken just 42 years later, Tony Hopper’s life was cruelly cut short.
But such was the esteem of the man, the Hopper legacy lives on.
And to mark what would have been his 50th birthday, we can, once again, remember the life of a Carlisle man who was a friend to all. A special charity game will take place at Frenchfield, Penrith on Sunday (2pm) when dozens of former Carlisle United, Penrith and Workington players will slip on the boots one more time in an emotional tribute to one of our own.
It is difficult to think of another player who could command such respect nearly eight years after his passing.
The game will see a host of Carlisle United legends take on a combined Penrith/Workington team with Mick Wadsworth ‘managing’ United and Kenny Brown and Dave Heslop in charge of the united Bonny Blues/Reds squad.
The game, which mark’s Tony’s 50th birthday, will raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association as well as the Eden Valley Hospice.
Coverage of Sunday’s game has been given plenty of exposure by Jon Colman (News & Star), the Carlisle United Heritage Group, the local radio stations and many social media outlets, with all roads leading to Penrith for Cumbrian football followers and the general public alike.
Our proud association with Tony began in February, 2001 when he played a one-off game for us, on loan.
His second spell lasted a little longer, two seasons in fact, but it was his third stint, between 2005 and 2010 when he cemented himself as a Workington favourite over five seasons in National North. The ’07-08 campaign stands out as rather special with Tony appearing in fifty games for Reds, his best of nine seasons in Workington colours.
He played for the club in the Northern Premier League, Conference North (over 170 appearances), the FA Cup (including the First Round match at Bury), the FA Trophy (skippering Reds in those memorable ties v. Wrexham, AFC Wimbledon and Stevenage Borough), league cups, play-offs and a Cumberland Cup Final.
In total, he started 249 games (plus 20 more appearances on the bench), scoring eighteen goals in the process. He captained the side no fewer than 53 times and was voted Players’ Player of the Year at the end of the aforementioned 2007-08 season.
He retired in 2010 and was given a guard of honour by both Carlisle United and Workington players in his farewell match at Borough Park.
Tony was tempted ‘out of retirement’ during the ’11-12 season, adding another eleven games to his record.
When Tony passed away in October, 2018, Reds were in action the following day. As a mark of respect, the number 8 shirt wasn’t used in that game.
Last season, the Hopper name returned to the Workington team sheet when eldest son, Dan, played for the club on loan. His first goal for Workington was against Hyde United, an opponent Tony had scored against twenty years earlier.
Our thoughts will be with John and the rest of the Hopper family, particularly Sue, Darren, Dan and Tony’s two youngest sons.
It will be an emotional day but a fitting way to celebrate the much-loved Tony Hopper.
