Harry Hooper (footballer born 1910)
Encyclopedia
Harry Reed Hooper was an English professional footballer who played as a full-back. He started his career with Nelson
before joining Sheffield United
in 1930. During his time with Sheffield United, he captained the side in the 1936 FA Cup Final
. After 17 years with the club, he moved to Hartlepools United before retiring in 1949. Between 1957 and 1962, he was the manager of Halifax Town
.
, Lancashire
, on 16 December 1910. Before becoming a professional footballer, he worked in a tailor's shop. Following his retirement from football he lived in Halifax, West Yorkshire
, and died there on 24 March 1970, at the age of 59. His son, also named Harry, was also a footballer and represented four different league clubs.
side Nelson
, who signed him as an amateur in October 1928. He made his senior debut on 20 October in the 0–4 defeat away at Carlisle United
. Hooper was awarded a professional contract the following month, but found it difficult to break into the first-team. He returned to the starting line-up in place of Clem Rigg for the 2–3 loss to Darlington
on 5 January 1929 and retained his place for the next ten matches. Hooper found his first-team opportunities even more limited in the 1929–30 season following the signing of Billy Fairhurst
from Southport
.
After making eight further league appearances for Nelson, Hooper was signed by First Division
side Sheffield United
. He moved along with half-back Harry Tordoff for a combined transfer fee of £750. Hooper went on to play for Sheffield United for 17 years, scoring 10 goals in 269 league matches for the club. He captained the side as they lost 0–1 to Arsenal
in the 1936 FA Cup Final
. During the Second World War, he appeared as a guest player for Portsmouth
, Hartlepools United and Huddersfield Town
. In July 1947, Hooper signed for Hartlepools United on a permanent basis and went on to make 66 league appearances for them, scoring 4 goals.
at West Ham United
. In October 1957, he was appointed manager
of Halifax Town
, and spent almost five seasons in charge of the club before leaving in April 1962.
Nelson F.C.
Nelson F.C. are an English football club, based in Nelson, Lancashire. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League Division One, who played their home matches at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.-Early years:...
before joining Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in 1930. During his time with Sheffield United, he captained the side in the 1936 FA Cup Final
1936 FA Cup Final
The 1936 FA Cup Final was a football match between by Arsenal and Sheffield United on 25 April 1936 at Wembley. The showpiece match of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup , it was the 64th Cup final, and the fourteenth at Wembley.Each team received a...
. After 17 years with the club, he moved to Hartlepools United before retiring in 1949. Between 1957 and 1962, he was the manager of Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
.
Biography
Harry Hooper was born in the town of BurnleyBurnley
Burnley is a market town in the Burnley borough of Lancashire, England, with a population of around 73,500. It lies north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Brun....
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, on 16 December 1910. Before becoming a professional footballer, he worked in a tailor's shop. Following his retirement from football he lived in Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax, West Yorkshire
Halifax is a minster town, within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in West Yorkshire, England. It has an urban area population of 82,056 in the 2001 Census. It is well-known as a centre of England's woollen manufacture from the 15th century onward, originally dealing through the Halifax Piece...
, and died there on 24 March 1970, at the age of 59. His son, also named Harry, was also a footballer and represented four different league clubs.
Playing career
He was playing for Nelson Tradesmen when he was spotted by Football League Third Division NorthFootball League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
side Nelson
Nelson F.C.
Nelson F.C. are an English football club, based in Nelson, Lancashire. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League Division One, who played their home matches at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.-Early years:...
, who signed him as an amateur in October 1928. He made his senior debut on 20 October in the 0–4 defeat away at Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
. Hooper was awarded a professional contract the following month, but found it difficult to break into the first-team. He returned to the starting line-up in place of Clem Rigg for the 2–3 loss to Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on 5 January 1929 and retained his place for the next ten matches. Hooper found his first-team opportunities even more limited in the 1929–30 season following the signing of Billy Fairhurst
Billy Fairhurst
William Shaw Fairhurst was an English professional footballer who played as a left-back. He played over 150 matches in the Football League. His brother, David, played for England and Newcastle United.-References:...
from Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
.
After making eight further league appearances for Nelson, Hooper was signed by First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
side Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. He moved along with half-back Harry Tordoff for a combined transfer fee of £750. Hooper went on to play for Sheffield United for 17 years, scoring 10 goals in 269 league matches for the club. He captained the side as they lost 0–1 to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the 1936 FA Cup Final
1936 FA Cup Final
The 1936 FA Cup Final was a football match between by Arsenal and Sheffield United on 25 April 1936 at Wembley. The showpiece match of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup , it was the 64th Cup final, and the fourteenth at Wembley.Each team received a...
. During the Second World War, he appeared as a guest player for Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, Hartlepools United and Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. In July 1947, Hooper signed for Hartlepools United on a permanent basis and went on to make 66 league appearances for them, scoring 4 goals.
Coaching career
Hooper retired from professional football in November 1949 in order to become a trainerCoach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
at West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. In October 1957, he was appointed manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
of Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
, and spent almost five seasons in charge of the club before leaving in April 1962.