TRIBUTES have been paid to Bromsgrove Rovers goalkeeper Chris Hooper, a ‘true football hero’, who has passed away aged 83.
Hooper, who played 686 times for Bromsgrove Rovers in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away last month, and his funeral was held on December 10.
He joined Birmingham City from school, but a broken leg hampered his career at St Andrews.
Towards the end of the 1961/62 season, Hooper joined the Rovers, managed by Joe Wainwright, towards the end of the 1961/62 season, aged 19.
He was the number one goalkeeper for the next 13 seasons, at one stage playing in 150 consecutive games, and was granted a testimonial match in 1971.
He played the final game of his career against Milton Keynes City in the Southern League Division 1 North in April 1975.
Bromsgrove Sporting was formed in 2009 by a group of former Bromsgrove Rovers directors and supporters when the latter club was in serious financial difficulty and facing closure.
A spokesperson for Bromsgrove Sporting said: “We are sad to hear of the passing of former Bromsgrove Rovers goalkeeper Chris Hooper last month, at the age of 83.
“Chris played nearly 700 games for Rovers between 1962 and 1975 – he signed towards the end of the 1961-62 season and, from then onwards, was the automatic choice in goal for the next 13 years, securing a legendary status at the club.
“A full tribute to Chris will be featured in a future match day programme.”
Several former Rovers fans have also taken to social media to pay tribute to their former goalkeeper.
One said: “I remember when he first started playing for Rovers; I was at school.
“He was a wonderful player for Bromsgrove.”
Another described him as a true football hero of Bromsgrove Rovers.
