Harry Hooper (footballer born 1900)
Encyclopedia
Harold “Harry” Hooper was an English footballer who played at full-back for various clubs in the 1920s. He was known to supporters as "Rufus" because of the colour of his hair.
, Staffordshire
and played for Brierley Hill Alliance before moving to the south coast to join Southampton
in May 1921.
At The Dell, Hooper provided cover for the well-established full-backs, Tom Parker
and Fred Titmuss
and found it hard to break into the first-team. He made his debut at Watford
on 22 October 1921, replacing Parker at right-back, followed by three further league appearances later in the season. Hooper’s longest runs in the side came with five matches in September 1922, playing at left-back in place of Titmuss and four matches in December at right-back.
After three frustrating seasons in which he only made twenty appearances, Hooper moved back to the Midlands to join Leicester City
in May 1926 as part of the deal that brought winger Fred Price
and half-back Dennis Jones
to the south coast. At Filbert Street
, Hooper was considered to be "dour and resolute", making 33 League appearances before joining Queens Park Rangers
in May 1926.
, who played for Manchester United
and England
.
Football career
Hooper was born in Brierley HillBrierley Hill
Brierley Hill is a town and electoral ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, West Midlands, England. It is one of the larger Black Country towns with a population of 9,631 and is heavily industrialised, best known for glass and steel manufacturing, although the industry has declined...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
and played for Brierley Hill Alliance before moving to the south coast to join Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in May 1921.
At The Dell, Hooper provided cover for the well-established full-backs, Tom Parker
Tom Parker (footballer)
Thomas Robert "Tom" Parker was an English football player and manager.-Southampton:Born in Woolston, Southampton, Parker began playing with local sides, such as Sholing Rangers and Sholing Athletic, before joining Southern League side Southampton as an amateur in 1918, just before the end of the...
and Fred Titmuss
Fred Titmuss
Frederick Titmuss was an English footballer who played at full-back for Southampton and Plymouth Argyle, and also made two appearances for England.-Southampton:...
and found it hard to break into the first-team. He made his debut at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on 22 October 1921, replacing Parker at right-back, followed by three further league appearances later in the season. Hooper’s longest runs in the side came with five matches in September 1922, playing at left-back in place of Titmuss and four matches in December at right-back.
After three frustrating seasons in which he only made twenty appearances, Hooper moved back to the Midlands to join Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in May 1926 as part of the deal that brought winger Fred Price
Fred Price (footballer)
Frederick Thomas "Fred" Price was an English footballer who played at outside left for various clubs in the 1920s.-Football career:...
and half-back Dennis Jones
Dennis Jones (footballer)
Dennis Jones was an English footballer who played at half back for various clubs in the 1920s.-Football career:...
to the south coast. At Filbert Street
Filbert Street
Filbert Street, in Leicester, England, was a football stadium, and the home of Leicester City from 1891 to 2002. Although officially titled "The City Business Stadium" in the early 1990s, it remained known almost exclusively by its address, like many English football stadia.- Early years :The club,...
, Hooper was considered to be "dour and resolute", making 33 League appearances before joining Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in May 1926.
Family
Hooper was a cousin to Charlie RobertsCharlie Roberts
Charles "Charlie" Roberts was an English footballer.-Playing career:Born in Darlington, Roberts started his football career with Bishop Auckland, but soon moved to Grimsby Town....
, who played for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.