John Hope RIP

[GRUMPY BLADE]

This is a nice interview with him from a couple of years back...

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...ited-john-hopes-the-best-for-howard-1-6512644

“I’m so looking forward to coming back,” Hope said. “Because Sheffield United means the world to me, it really does. Absolutely everything.

“In football terms, I still regard that as my home. I made so many friends there and good friends at that. Not just acquaintances.

“It’s a special club with so much history and so much to be proud of. But what really makes it so great is the people.

“There were some wonderful folk when I was there. Both on the pitch, the coaching staff and also behind the scenes.

“I’m sure it’s the same now because Sheffield United is a special place and one that will always be in my heart.”

He was was the current lot don't seem to be able to achieve, a hero.

RIP big un and thanks for the good times.

 

[sitwell]

Sadly his name didn't help him and newspaper headlines and 'witty' blades and pigs calling him John Hopeless used to really piss me off.

 

[sitwell]

He was was the current lot don't seem to be able to achieve, a hero.

RIP big un and thanks for the good times.

Got me thinking that ,who will be our last 'hero' in 30 years time ? Ched blotted his copybook too much ,probably Chris Morgan I reckon.

 

[Silent Blade]

I'm hoping that someone on here (Walthamstow Blade?) can post one of the most iconic photographs of our recent history, of John raising his arms aloft to the Blades behind his goal after we'd scored again at the other end against Cardiff in the 5 - 1 victory that more or less sealed promotion that amazing night.

.

It was me that posted it

 

[grafikhaus]

One of the greatest saves I ever saw was made by John Hope, remiscent of the Gordon Banks save against Pele,
One of my Heros, so sad.

As well as the save against Birmingham which a couple of people have mentioned, you might be referring to a save v. Newcastle at the Bramall Lane end. The ball dropped to a Newcastle player just inside the box, he absolutely lashed it and Hopey stretched to his left and palmed it over the bar. As you say, very similar to Bank's with Pele.

 

[sitwell]

It was me that posted it

Im probably one of those blurred faces down the front ,my Dad and his mate were stood further back (it was always a nightmare getting up the steps and actually on to the terrace) and me and my mate were in the crush down the front. We were helped over the white railings at one point and sat in front of those but had to go back in the second half. What a night ,the walk back to Bannerdale Rd was joyous until my mum had a fit because we were so late.

 

[dblade56]

The Geordie culture comes through in that article; warmth, respect and brotherhood.

It's like SUFC used to be. Fans respected the players who earned it and the warmth came through.

This Forum upsets me regularly for opposite reasons.

Brotherhood, John hope was one of us albeit for a brief period but we embraced him and he embraced us.

Completely agree with your remarks Woodwardfan, about some comments re this forum, are we Blades or not

Remember Hopey after we lost to WHU in the league cup (I think), we were thrashed 5-0 and he threw his teddy into the bath. He used to take that teddy everywhere, took one pace from post and one pace over the line and sat him there.

RIP John Hope

 

[Kelso]

As well as the save against Birmingham which a couple of people have mentioned, you might be referring to a save v. Newcastle at the Bramall Lane end. The ball dropped to a Newcastle player just inside the box, he absolutely lashed it and Hopey stretched to his left and palmed it over the bar. As you say, very similar to Bank's with Pele.

That was the one, absolutely fantastic save, can still see it clearly in my mind. Still believe it is the best save I have ever seen at Bramall Lane.

 

[metalblade]

RIP John, another one taken at a reletavely young age.

 

[LenTednTony]

RIP John.

RIP John. Thanks for the memories. Condolences to your family.

 

[Trigger Blade]

He wasn't our best 'keeper ever and taking over from Hodgy highlighted the difference. He played at the highest level though and was part of the best United side in my lifetime.

I remember him fondly more for his hairstyle and he was pivotal in me deciding to get what eventually became known as a mullet. I don't still have it by the way

 

[Grecian2000]

As well as the save against Birmingham which a couple of people have mentioned, you might be referring to a save v. Newcastle at the Bramall Lane end. The ball dropped to a Newcastle player just inside the box, he absolutely lashed it and Hopey stretched to his left and palmed it over the bar. As you say, very similar to Bank's with Pele.

Funny you should mention that game because I think his best ever save was in that game but not that one!

Lane End, cross from the Pavilion side straight onto Tudor's head at point blank range. Tudor could really head a ball and it was one of those that you "give up" as soon as you see him approaching the ball. He headed with power but a bit too close to John, even then he was so close you wouldn't expect him to save it but save it he did, turning it over the bar.

As said previously he was an integral part of our best team in 60 years plus. Made some memorable gaffs but was always viewed affectionately by Blades (certainly in our street).

 

[shorehamview]

RIP ,like I said in the shoutbox ,not the best keeper weve had but part a big part of the best side weve had.
Hope ,badger ,Hemsley ,Flynn ,Colquhoun ,Hockey ,Woodward ,Salmons ,Dearden ,Currie , Reece should all be regarded as Sheffield united legends if there is such a thing.

There is, and they are.

RIP John.

 

[Lane Ender]

RIP John
Memories from great times at the Lane

 

[Silent Blade]

He wasn't our best 'keeper ever and taking over from Hodgy highlighted the difference. He played at the highest level though and was part of the best United side in my lifetime.

I remember him fondly more for his hairstyle and he was pivotal in me deciding to get what eventually became known as a mullet. I don't still have it by the way

You didn't see him play in 1971 promotion season? You started University in October after our unbeaten run of 10 games at the start of 1971-72?

 

[Silent Blade]

Funny you should mention that game because I think his best ever save was in that game but not that one!

Lane End, cross from the Pavilion side straight onto Tudor's head at point blank range. Tudor could really head a ball and it was one of those that you "give up" as soon as you see him approaching the ball. He headed with power but a bit too close to John, even then he was so close you wouldn't expect him to save it but save it he did, turning it over the bar.

As said previously he was an integral part of our best team in 60 years plus. Made some memorable gaffs but was always viewed affectionately by Blades (certainly in our street).

Tudor didn't play for Newcastle against us on April Fool's Day 1972. He played in the August 1972 fixture (and scored the winner) but McAlister was our keeper

 

[UnitedBlade]

Integral to making sure the Golden side went up. A puzzle to this day why his form disappeared and strange that his League career spanned barely 100 games before he disappeared into non league football.

70-71 was a fantastic time to follow United so thanks for those memories.

 

[Lawrence]

/QUOTE]

Not much to add it's all been said, looking back it was probably one of my best periods watching United.

Home and away, visiting so many great old grounds the length and breath of the country when travel wasn't easy, none by car it was the long slow slow coach journeys on Sheffield United Tours and British Rail football specials.

Thanks John and the the rest for so many great memories R.I.P

 

[pommpey]

Rest in Peace Hopey. Never the best keeper we had, but very much part of my formative years.

Met him briefly at an autograph/training day. Nice feller. Upset to hear of his demise.

pommpey

 

[Kelso]

That was the one I was thinking about, it was a header not the shot from just inside the box, as I said before I can still see it till this day in my mind.... Still think it was the best save I have ever seen at Bramall Lane .

 

[cahill]

You will have seen him on tv many times. He was the keeper in that George Best's goal that is shown on tv over and over again!

I was behind that goal , must have been in the ground at 1pm. Thousands of Blades locked outside.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

John Hope was just before my time, but heard all about him over the years. RIP to another Blade

 

[Dnblade]

He looked a good replacement when replacing Hodgy,who was United legend..Like with Hodgy we even greeted him to the goal with the Johnny,Johnny,Johnny Hope song...sad news RIP John Hope.

 

[Sean Thornton]

He looked a good replacement when replacing Hodgy,who was United legend..Like with Hodgy we even greeted him to the goal with the Johnny,Johnny,Johnny Hope song...sad news RIP John Hope.

Fan favourite for a while until some bad results saw his confidence drained. I will always remember him with affection considering he had to fill Hodgys boots.

Never forget him kicking Mick Prendergast up the arse at the Sty in front of thousands of Blades on the Pigs Kop for booting his gonk.

 

[Dnblade]

Haha..was that in the 0-0 at the sty ST?..extra kudos to John for that manouevre.

 

[1889]

That news is so sad, I can't believe he has died, he was a fantastic goalkeeper and a real character in an era of footballing characters.

I remember one Christmas game in the early 70's someone throwing him a satsuma and he stood against his post, peeled it and ate it as the game continued in front of him. He had a real rapour with the fans on the Kop and was a great goalie in his own right, whilst his persona was totally different to Alan Hodgkinson, who'd gone before.

When I think about it, he was my all time favourite Utd keeper and I am deeply saddened by his death

 

[Foxy]

The Hope family will be in attendance as guests of SUFC tomorrow and fans are encouraged to join a minutes applause on 71 minutes...

Fellow Blades will aware of the sad passing of former goalkeeper John Hope a few weeks ago.

The team wore black arm bands in his honour in the pre-season game at Halifax and the Club flags flew at half-mast.

We ask all Blades at the game v Rochdale tomorrow to put their hands together in applause for John in the 71st minute of the game in memory of his life and the contribution he made in sealing our promotion in the 1970/71 season.

Members of the Hope family are our guests for the game and we think “Hopey” would appreciate your kind thoughts being channelled to helping get behind Chris and the team tomorrow.

 

[Bladeloyal]

We arnt a bad club utb

 

[Boxer Blade]

Whenever john hope is brought up my memory is hope collecting the ball from a corner in front of the kop, playing Newcastle and Malcolm Mcdonald had been giving it out, they both fell to the floor as hope got up he (accidentally) walked over macdonald, huge cheer from the kop, to his credit macdonald just got up and carried on! If it happend today the player would rolling around for ages hoping to get him sent off. Happy memories.

 

[Bartleby]

Whenever john hope is brought up my memory is hope collecting the ball from a corner in front of the kop, playing Newcastle and Malcolm Mcdonald had been giving it out, they both fell to the floor as hope got up he (accidentally) walked over macdonald, huge cheer from the kop, to his credit macdonald just got up and carried on! If it happend today the player would rolling around for ages hoping to get him sent off. Happy memories.

I miss all that in the modern game as well. Just overpaid cry babbies most players these days