Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: martin o`who?? on January 11, 2026, 03:03:51 PM
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Apologies if this is referred to elsewhere. Apparently Robert Hopkins has passed away aged a tragically young 64. Made his debut for us v Nowich in a midweeker and scored with his first touch after coming off the bench - officially the fastest goal ever by a player making his debut at that time circa 1979. Made the move elsewhere and made no secret of his true allegiance - which most obviously was not to Aston Villa football club. Condolences to his family.
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Saddened to see that news as well: 64 is nothing these days.
RIP Robert & condolences to his family & friends.
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Whatever his allegiances, he sure as anything celebrated his debut goal.
Sixty-four is too young. RIP
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RIP Robert.
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It may sound callous but this guy was dead to me a long time ago.
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It may sound callous but this guy was dead to me a long time ago.
You're right it does sound callous.
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From that era when i was a young un when blues had that group of Blake, Hopkins, Coton, Harford etc. still love reading the Guardian overview of that match in 83, when Withe scored the one that stuck in the mud, Blake missed a pen then nutted McMahon, Gibson kicked the shit out of one of their and Hopkins tried to kick the shit out of everyone. Those were the days…
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RIP. Was at School with a bunch of Blues fans during that era and went to all the games with BCFC; "interesting times"...
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Not seen anything from official Villa site on this which is a tad disappointing as he started his career with us & was a local lad too.
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Not seen anything from official Villa site on this which is a tad disappointing as he started his career with us & was a local lad too.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2026/january/11/news-tribute-to-robert-hopkins/
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I stand corrected, hadn't seen anything other than blue related .
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I remember the back page of an early H&V where he said something like Happy New Year you Villa bastards!
Wasn’t he also involved in hooliganism particularly a Blues match against Stoke City?
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I remember the back page of an early H&V where he said something like Happy New Year you Villa bastards!
Wasn’t he also involved in hooliganism particularly a Blues match against Stoke City?
Acted the gezzer, but couldn't back it up my understanding of him
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Had no time for him
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Liked him when he came on and scored with his first touch. Cannot remember who we were playing.
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(https://i.ibb.co/8qqFFbH/Picture1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8qqFFbH)
From the Villa Times, September 1976 just before we were about to play the noses at Villa Park.
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Liked him when he came on and scored with his first touch. Cannot remember who we were playing.
Norwich City. First touch and in front of the Holte.
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Had no time for him
I don't think any of us did, but he's dead, quite young, so it's not killing anyone to show a bit of respect.
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Didn’t he go to Blues via a short term move to City to avoid a direct transfer between us and Blues?
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No, he had a short spell at Man City between his times at Blues and Albion.
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Was he the guy who wore a blues badge (kit) under the villa one and kissed the blues badge when he got subbed/sent off? I may be mixing up many things here including dreams.
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Didn’t he go to Blues via a short term move to City to avoid a direct transfer between us and Blues?
Whilst not common, direct transfers between Blues and the Villa don't seem to be a problem. It helps that the player going to the Sty usually arrives declaring he was a Nose all along and I can't remember the last time we took one of their's. Curbishley?
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Jota, I imagine.
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https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=40095.0
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Was he the guy who wore a blues badge (kit) under the villa one and kissed the blues badge when he got subbed/sent off? I may be mixing up many things here including dreams.
Rings a bell actually, could be one of those urban myth things but it wouldn't surprise me at all.
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He was nutted on the ramp in town by one of the Villains authors, when leading a small firm of noses. Buy that man a beer.
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Any chance of a little bit of respect please?
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(https://i.ibb.co/KP63zkS/Screenshot-20260111-233023-Samsung-Internet.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KP63zkS)
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Condolences to his family and friends.