HE might not have been the tallest but 'Hoppy' was one of the best goalkeepers in the business, playing for England 14 times and on a record 578 occasions for Wanderers.
Signed from Oldham, where he was an amateur, he got his big break in 1956 when Ken Grieves, who was also Lancashire CC's wicketkeeper, was unavailable. He was ever-present that season and was Wanderers' No 1 until forced to retire through injury in 1969. At 5ft 9ins he was one of the smallest goalkeepers ever to collect an FA Cup winners medal when he kept a clean sheet in 1958 and it was a measure of his popularity when Portuguese World Cup stars Eusebio and Simoes played in his testimonial game in 1971.
Appearances: 578.
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