Robert Hopkins - September 1986 to October 1986 !

Absolutely useless nonsensical signing. No pace, no trick and a narky little fucker. Why did we bother when we knew David White was coming through. The swap for Varadi was great business.
 
Actually...I also think he was involved in an infamous group of Birmingham City players that included Tony Coton.

Oh yes, the "Birmingham 6" of Tony Coton, Mark Dennis, Pat Van Hauwe, Noel Blake, Mick Harford and him. Wouldn't want to run into them on a night out.

Mick Harford being the scorer of late winners for Brum towards the end of 82/83 that contributed to them clambering out of the bottom 3 and us tumbling into it along with Antic. The main reason being Swales, thr board, the players and hapless John Benson.
 
I actually thought it was Frizzell who signed him, I do remember my mate saying "Oh no, what have we signed HIM for!", which tells you something. I only remember him running around trying to put bad tackles in. McNeil signed some pretty average players just before he left, I don't remember Christie being any good either.
At least Christie scored a couple and unlike Hopkins, seems like a decent bloke.
 
I mentioned Lake's comments on a Birmingham City Nostalgia Facebook page and got some interesting responses

Hopkins was, and still is, a huge favourite at St Andrews,.often commentating or travelling to all their fixtures

His family were all "Blues", but he was actually scouted and persuaded to sign for Aston Villa, and was part of their 79-80 FA Youth Cup winning team that beat City in the Final.

That same season, Villa were drawn to play at Ewood Park in the FA Cup, and the Youth Team were all given free tickets.and allowed to travel with the First XI and stay in the same hotel etc.

However, Hopkins pulled a "sicky" and travelled to White Hart Lane to watch Birmingham

He might not have impressed Lake or Frizzell, but I can see why the Birmingham fans love him.
I was at St Andrews in January 1986 to see Hopkins score a famous back pass own goal (past David Seaman, as it happens) to give Altrincham a 2-1 win in the 3rd Round of FA Cup over first division Birmingham City. Can't believe a few months later City went and bought him.
 
I was at St Andrews in January 1986 to see Hopkins score a famous back pass own goal (past David Seaman, as it happens) to give Altrincham a 2-1 win in the 3rd Round of FA Cup over first division Birmingham City. Can't believe a few months later City went and bought him.
I could be mistaken but I think that remains the last time that a top flight team lost at home to a non-league team in the FA Cup
 

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