Hope Phil Image 2 Norwich City 1922

Description

Kimblesworth, County Durham born right back Phil Hope began his football career with Croxdale Colliery prior to the First World War in 1914, and after the War he played for Washington Colliery in 1918 and  North Eastern League club Durham City in 1919 before having a trial at Sunderland, which proved unsuccessful. He joined Southern League Norwich City in January 1920, and when they helped form the new Football League Third Division later that year he made his Football League debut at Queen’s Park Rangers in February 1921, his only appearance of their inaugural League season.

Hope became a regular for The Canaries from December 1921, and spent three seasons in the first eleven, scoring his only goal in 109 appearances for Norwich City in a 5-0 win over Queen’s Park Rangers in April 1924, before being signed by First Division Blackburn Rovers the following month. However he found opportunities limited at Ewood Park, making just 8 appearances for Rovers in a two season spell.

He joined Southend United in September 1926 and played 9 matches for The Shrimpers during 1926-27, before moving to Second Division Clapton Orient in June 1927. He played 19 matches during a single season stay at Millfields Road, before joining non league north east based White-le-Head Rangers in the summer of 1928, re-joining Washington Colliery later the same year. In May 1929 he returned to Football League action joining Rochdale, and he scored once in 13 appearances for ‘Dale during 1929-30 before joining non league Birtley in the summer of 1930, going on to play for Walker Celtic later that year before his eventual retirement.