Tony began his career at Carlisle United and he went on to make 157 appearances for the Blues in all competitions, scoring three goals along the way.
He was at the heart of what was a very exciting period for the Cumbrians, and was part of the famous ‘St Jimmy’s Day’ events where United avoided relegation thanks to a keeper in a red shirt on the final day of the 1998/99 season.
On leaving United he had a spell in Ireland with the Bohs, and he also played for Barrow and Workington. He hung his boots up after playing for Celtic Nation at Gillford Park.
Fellow United favourite David Wilkes said: “Tony was part of an outstanding group of Cumbrian players who came through at the same time and, when I think back, he was one of those lads who gave everything. He was a solid lad, who had loads of heart and endeavour.”
Former United first-team coach Paul Murray, who came through the youth ranks at a similar time to Tony, said: “Whatever Tony was doing, he was always smiling. He gave all he had and was the kind of lad who left everything on the pitch.
Former United Academy Manager Darren Edmondson played alongside Tony at Carlisle and Workington, and was his manager at the latter. He said: “Every single word you would use to sum up a decent person would fit Tony - whether for his work, his family, as a person - every superlative you could use about being a top guy would fit Tony Hopper.
“He was the perfect gentleman, the guy everybody liked. There won’t be a fan of Workington Reds or Carlisle United that won’t remember him for something he did on a football field that went above and beyond.”
Former United manager David McCreery gave Tony his first-team debut at 16 for Carlisle in 1993. He described Tony as a ‘shining light as a player and person’.
Rory Delap remembered the young Tony Hopper warmly. The two have been close friends ever since their junior days They played against each other for school teams before linking up at the Ex-Servicemen's team in Carlisle at 11-years-old.
“It was the time when they used to have tournaments involving city representative teams, and on the occasion we went over to Whitley Bay with Carlisle, we roomed together,” he explained. “We were 10 and just hit it off. He was a good player, as well.
“The sort of old school, box-to-box midfielder that's gone a bit missing out of the game. Tony was so fit, he could do that. And he had an eye for goal. He was quite small, an aggressive little sod.
“He was one of them you couldn't shake off. Better to have him on your team than against you."
The two had one particularly great day when, at 16, Hopper was given his Carlisle debut in the final game of the 1992/93 season, at Scarborough. He became United's youngest ever player until, in the second half, Delap - 36 days junior - came off the bench and claimed the record.
“We were 2-0 up when I got on and it was 2-2 when we finished," he recalled. “He was definitely good enough to play at a higher level. He picked up some niggling little injuries at times when he was putting a good run of games together. I know for a fact that Tony was Carlisle through and through. And I don't think he ever let them down."
In January 2017, Tony was diagnosed with MND and he was the guest of honour at Carlisle United's game against Portsmouth.
Click HERE and HERE to read articles from that day.
As fans in the Main Stand sang, "Tony Hopper, he's one of our own," the former midfielder turned to all sides of the ground and returned their applause. His face showed just how touched he was by the reception. The same went for many of those giving it. There were tears in the Paddock, the Pioneer Stand, the Warwick Road End; everywhere else round the ground.
He died on 9 October 2018 at the age of 42.
The much-missed former Blues star was remembered at the official unveiling of Hopper’s – a newly-named bar at Brunton Park in April 2023.
Many of Tony’s family attended the opening, which sees images of Tony in his Carlisle days adorning the bar in the Pioneer Stand.
Click HERE to read an article about the opening of his bar.
Click HERE to read excerpts from a Tony Hopper interview.
Click HERE to read a club article on Tony Hopper.
Click HERE for an article on Hoppy’s Legends.
The club farewell to Tony is HERE.
