William Hopewell Explained

William Hopewell
Fullname:William Turtle Hopewell
Birth Date:Q1 1867
Birth Place:York, England
Position:Half back
Years1:1886
Clubs1:Long Eaton Rangers
Years2:1887
Clubs2:Grimsby Town
Years3:1888
Clubs3:Derby County
Caps3:5
Goals3:0
Years4:1889–1890
Clubs4:Grimsby Town
Years5:1890–1893
Clubs5:Doncaster Rovers

William Turtle Hopewell (1867-1928) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Derby County.[1] [2]

William Hopewell' first club was Long Eaton Rangers. Hopewell signed in 1886, two years before Rangers became a League The Combination club. The following year (1887) Hopewell moved to Lincolnshire club, Grimsby Town. In season 1887–88 Grimsby Town were still a non–League club but they did reach the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.[3] [4]

William Hopewell moved back to Derbyshire when he signed for Derby County in September 1888. Hopewell made his club and League debut, playing at centre–half, on 13 October 1888, at Thorneyholme Road, the home of Accrington. The home team won 6–2. William Hopewell played in five of the 22 League matches played by Derby County in season 1888–89.[5] [3]

In 1889 William Hopewell was not retained by Derby County and he returned to Grimsby Town. In season 1889–90 Grimsby Town were founder members of the Football Alliance League and finished fourth. They also reached the Second Round of the FA Cup. In 1890 Hopewell moved from Grimsby Town to Doncaster Rovers for the start of their Midland League season, playing at half-back.

Hopewell died at the age of 60/61 in 1928.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Joyce, Michael. Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. 2004. SoccerData. 1-899468-67-6. 129.
  2. Web site: FreeBMD. 2018-06-03.
  3. Web site: English National Football Archive. 2018-01-21. (registration & fee required)
  4. Web site: Football Club History Database. 2018-06-03.
  5. Book: Mortimer, Gerald. The Who's Who of Derby County. 2004. Breedon Books. 1-85983-409-4. 93.