Tom Hopper (footballer)

Tom Hopper
Personal information
Full name Thomas Edward Hopper[1]
Date of birth (1993-12-14) 14 December 1993 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Boston, England[3]
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Southend United
Number 21
Youth career
2006–2010 Boston United
2010–2011 Leicester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Leicester City 0 (0)
2012–2013 → Bury (loan) 22 (3)
2015 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 12 (4)
2015–2018 Scunthorpe United 103 (20)
2018–2020 Southend United 28 (9)
2020–2023 Lincoln City 83 (14)
2023–2025 Colchester United 68 (5)
2025– Southend United 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:10, 28 January 2025 (UTC)

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

Club career

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Early career

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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

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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 debut 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

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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

[edit]

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

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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

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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]

On 28 January 2025, Colchester United announced that the club had cancelled Hopper's contract by mutual consent.[31]

Southend United

[edit]

On 28 January 2025, the same day as his departure from Colchester United, Hopper returned to National League club Southend United on an eighteen-month deal.[32]

Personal life

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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.[33] Following the outcome of disciplinary proceedings, the three players had their contracts terminated.

Career statistics

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As of 21 January 2025
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leicester City 2011–12[34] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2012–13[35] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14[36] Championship 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
2014–15[37] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Bury (loan) 2012–13[35] League One 22 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 24 3
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2014–15[37] League One 12 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 4
Scunthorpe United 2015–16[38] League One 34 8 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 36 8
2016–17[39] League One 31 5 1 1 1 0 4[b] 0 37 6
2017–18[40] League One 38 7 3 0 1 0 4[c] 2 46 9
Total 137 27 4 1 5 0 9 2 155 30
Southend United 2018–19[41] League One 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 7
2019–20[42] League One 14 2 1 0 0 0 1[b] 1 16 3
Total 28 9 1 0 0 0 1 1 30 10
Lincoln City 2019–20[42] League One 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2
2020–21[43] League One 39 8 0 0 3 1 6[d] 2 48 11
2021–22[44] League One 20 2 0 0 1 1 1[b] 1 22 4
2022–23[45] League One 16 2 0 0 2 0 4[b] 3 22 5
Total 83 14 0 0 6 2 11 6 100 22
Colchester United 2022–23[45] League Two 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
2023–24[46] League Two 35 4 1 0 1 0 4[b] 0 41 4
2024–25[47] League Two 16 0 1 0 2 1 4[b] 1 23 2
Total 68 5 2 0 3 1 8 1 81 7
Southend United 2024–25[48] National League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career Total 316 55 8 1 16 3 29 10 369 69
  1. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Two appearances in EFL Trophy and two in League One play-offs
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in League One play-offs and EFL Trophy

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "EFL: Club list of registered players" (PDF). English Football League. 20 May 2017. p. 62. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Tom Hopper". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  3. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 484. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  4. ^ "Hopper makes Boston United history". The Boston Standard. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Tom Hopper Signs Pro Contract". Leicester City F.C. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Jermaine Beckford continued his superb scoring record in the FA Cup with both goals against a plucky Swindon side". BBC Sport. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Leicester City academy striker Hopper straight back to earth – cleaning boots!". Leicester Mercury. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Academy prospect Tom Hopper making big impression with Leicester City". Leicester Mercury. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Tom Hopper's season to savour with Leicester City ends with top Foxes award". Boston Standard. 12 May 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Leicester City First Team Squad Numbers Confirmed". Leicester City F.C. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Bury loan for Hopper". LCFC.com. Leicester City F.C. 14 September 2012. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Stevenage 2-2 Bury". BBC Sport. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Crawley Town 3-2 Bury". BBC Sport. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Young Pro extend loan spells". LCFC.co.uk. Leicester City F.C. 4 January 2013. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Hopper returns to Leicester". Bury F.C. 7 February 2013. Archived from the original on 11 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  16. ^ "U21s Seal Top Spot With 3–0 Win". lcfc.com. 8 April 2013. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  17. ^ "Foxes Secure Hong Kong Sevens Crown". lcfc.com. 26 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Leicester City announce squad numbers for 2013-14 season". Leicester Mercury. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Carlisle 2–5 Leicester". BBC Sport. 27 August 2013.
  20. ^ "New Deal for Hopper". Leicester City FC. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  21. ^ "Hopper Heads To Scunthorpe on Loan". Leicester City. 8 January 2015. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015.
  22. ^ "REPORT: WALSALL 1–4 IRON". Scunthorpe United. 10 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015.
  23. ^ "Hopper Extends Scunthorpe Loan". Leicester City. 2 February 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015.
  24. ^ "Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month nominations". Football League. 4 February 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015.
  25. ^ "Tom Hopper: Scunthorpe sign sacked Leicester City striker". BBC Sport. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  26. ^ "Hopper is a Blue!".
  27. ^ "Southend United 2-3 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport.
  28. ^ "Imps welcome Tom Hopper". Lincoln City F.C. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  29. ^ "Tom Hopper announced as captain for 2022/23". Lincoln City Official Site. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  30. ^ "Hopper completes Imps exit". Lincoln City FC. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  31. ^ "U'S AND HOPPER PART COMPANY". www.cu-fc.com. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  32. ^ "Hopper Returns To Southend United". www.southendunited.co.uk. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  33. ^ "Leicester City trio apologise for behaviour on Thailand tour". BBC News. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  34. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  35. ^ a b "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  36. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  37. ^ a b "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  38. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  39. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  40. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  41. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  43. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  45. ^ a b "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  46. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  47. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  48. ^ "Games played by Tom Hopper in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
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