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Chris Hope (footballer)

Published May 31st, 2007 in Uncategorized

Christopher Jonathan “Chris” Hope (born 14 November 1972 in Sheffield) is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Rushden & Diamonds.

Chris Hope began his career as a trainee with Darlington. However, before he had even made a first team appearance, he joined Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the 1990/91 season and spent two seasons at the City Ground. Again, Hope did not make a first team for Nottingham Forest, and so a move away from the City Ground beckoned and he joined Scunthorpe for £50,000 at the beginning of the 1993/94 season.

Hope was an integral part of the side at Glanford Park and notched up 333 appearances (288 in the league) in seven seasons. A steady influence at the back, Hope managed an impressive 177 successive appearances without missing a game. A move from Lincolnshire to Kent soon beckoned, however, and Hope swapped Scunthorpe for Gillingham who paid £250,000 for his services. Hope made his debut in the club’s first ever game in the First Division (a 3-1 home defeat to Stockport County) and went on to play in more than 200 appearances for the Gills. Following on from his time at Scunthorpe, Hope managed to play in 176 successive games, before finally missing a game through suspension.

Following the departure of ex-club captain Paul Smith, Hope was appointed the club captain for the Gills for their first season back in League One in the 2005/06 season.

Hope signed an extension to his contract keeping him at Priestfield until the summer of 2006, however, he missed much of the 2005/2006 season due to injury and was released on 9 May 2006.
On 7 July it was announced that he had signed a 2 year deal with Rushden & Diamonds F.C.[1]

Hope is predominantly a central defender, although he has operated on both the right and the left side of defence as well as in midfield during his career. Hope’s height and strength mean he is a fomidable force at the back where he is rarely beaten in the air.


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