Idris Hopkins

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nationalyears = 1934-1939
nationalteam = Wales
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Idris (Dai) Hopkins, born on 11 October 1910 in Merthyr Tydfil, was a Welsh footballer famed for his talented right foot. He played for many clubs throughout his career, but most famously Brentford where he captained them in the English 1st Division.

Early life

Idris was born in the mining town of Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, son of a coal miner. He was naturally right footed but spent a great deal of time improving his weaker left foot repeatedly kicking a ball against a wall until it was of equal standard.

Before turning professional he played football at an amateur level for Gellyfaelog, New Road and Merthyr Town.

Professional Football Career

His career as a professional footballer started when he was signed by Sheffield Wednesday having been spotted playing at amateur level. He moved on to Crystal Palace in 1932 [ [http://www.cpfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10323~638013,00.html Appearances | Crystal Palace | Club | History | History ] ] where he played 4 games before being transferred to Brentford.

It was at Brentford where he established himself as a footballer as part of their greatest ever team. [ [http://www.brentfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~1091317,00.html BRISTOL CITY PREVIEW | Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News ] ] He wore the number 7 shirt and was an old fashioned inside forward with two good feet and a determined attitude. Between 1932 and 1947 and he made 290 official appearances scoring 77 goals, [http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/brentford/brentford.htm] however his total number of both appearances and goals for the club is considerably higher if you include appearances made during the war which do not count towards players' official records.

In 1946 Brentford, in Division 1, and with Idris as club captain were relegated to Division 2. During that season at the age of 39 he scored 4 goals. This season was the last, to date, that Brentford FC were in the top flight of English football.

In May 1947 he left Brentford and signed for Bristol City [ [http://www.citystats.org.uk/playerdetail.asp?id=355&filter=H Bristol City FC :: Citystats - Unofficial archive of results, players and managers ] ] where he played 24 times before retiring in 1948 at the age of 40.

He also made two appearances for West Ham United as a guest player during World War Two. [ [http://www.lalamy.demon.co.uk/whulist.htm West Ham Player List ] ]

His weekly wage was £12, the maximum permitted under league rules. Equivalent to £330 a week in 2007 terms, it was a galaxy away from the wages of modern international footballers.

He was inducted into the Brentford Hall of Fame in 1989.

International career

Idris was capped 12 times for Wales playing in the British Home Championships between 1934 and 1939, and undoubtedly would have won more if it hadn't been for World War II. He also made 9 appearances for Wales in wartime internationals scoring once.

During his international career he played against such greats as Cliff Bastin, Stanley Matthews and Tommy Lawton. Perhaps the most notable match he appeared in was Wales 4-2 victory over England in 1938 at Ninian Park as part of the 1939 British Home Championship. Idris was amongst the scorers for Wales with Stanley Matthews and Tommy Lawton netting for England [ [http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/matchstats.html?m=219 TheFA.com - Match Statistics ] ]

Honours

Brentford
*Football League Second Division Championship: 1934/35
*Football League Third Division Championship: 1932/33
* London War Cup Winner: 1941/42
* London War Cup Runner-up: 1940/41

Non-playing Career and Retirement

After football Idris had spells coaching in Sweden with IFK Norrkoping and FK Slepnier, and Turkey with Demirspor F.C. He also managed Ramsgate, Portadown and Sutton United. He eventually moved to Middlesex before settling in Buckinghamshire with his wife, Nancy, and sons Barry and Ashley.

He was modest about his career but did on occasion share his stories providing an insight into the game of old. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/mobile/bbc_news/haveyoursay/7/702/forum7023.shtml BBC News ] ]

Idris died in on the 9th October 1994 two days before his 84th birthday. A minutes' silence was held as a mark of respect before Brentford F.C's next match on the following Saturday.

External links

* [http://s269.photobucket.com/albums/jj66/phatboytall/Idris%20Hopkins/ Some photos of Idris's International Caps and some old Brentford Photos]
* [http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-intres30.html Details of Englands home internationals, many against Wales and Idris]
*The British Home International Tournament
* [http://www.rsssf.com/tablesw/wal-intres.html A history of Welsh international football matches]
* [http://www.cpfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10323~638013,00.html His career at Crystal Palace]
* [http://www.griffinpark.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-16639.html Brentford fans discuss Internationals who played for Brentford]
* [http://www.griffinpark.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-33523-p-2.html Brentford fans discuss the best XI to play for Brentford]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/mobile/bbc_news/haveyoursay/7/702/forum7023.shtml His comments to a passer by on the bus]

References