Footballer who resisted approaches by Jock Stein dies

Died: July 11, 2024

Niall Hopper, who has died aged 88, was one of Scotland’s finest amateur international footballers in an era when the amateur game had a much higher profile than today.

In a distinguished career, he played 358 games for Queen’s Park scoring 76 goals and represented Scotland 27 times throughout Europe and in Africa. He also won three full caps for the Great Britain amateur side and played in several trial games.

Niall was also a member of the British Olympic squads for qualifying matches for the Tokyo and Mexico City Games in 1964 and ’68. Well-known teammates included among others Peter Lorimer, Bobby Clark, Andy Roxburgh and Sir Alex Ferguson.

A lifelong amateur who epitomised Queens Park’s motto- “Ludere causa Ludendi”(“to play for the sake of playing”), he certainly played for the love of the game but was also a committed, highly talented footballer with an eye for goal whom several professional clubs tried signing. Jock Stein tried twice for Celtic in 1966 and ’68 but by then Niall had a good job outside football while other suitors included Newcastle United, Aberdeen and Hibs. He never regretted remaining amateur as he thoroughly enjoyed his time at Queen’s Park which provided lifelong friendships and the best of times.

Other highlights included winning the old 2nd Division Championship with Queen’s in 1956, scoring the Spiders’ 5,000th goal, giving the Lisbon Lions a scare in a Scottish Cup quarter final at Parkhead when he scored twice, notching Scotland’s goal in the European Amateur Nations Cup Final, captaining Scotland against England and Queens Park in their 1967/8 centenary season. Niall was also capped by Scotland in a Youth International against England and during national service represented The Army.

Away from football he was a successful businessman establishing his own eponymous family concern which later became Anhop Ltd, an architectural metalwork business.

Ian Niall Campbell Rendells Hopper was born in Cambuslang to William, an accountant, and Margaret, brother of Mairi, Bill and Ronald. Initially he attended Eastfield Primary before going to Rutherglen Academy where his football talent attracted attention following selection for the Scotland Youth XI. After leaving school in 1952, he began working for Clyde Ironworks, later qualifying as a metallurgist.

While playing for renowned junior club Cambuslang Rangers, Niall signed for Queen’s Park in 1955, a move probably influenced by father William who disliked professional sport. After his debut against Brechin City on 7th September 1955 it was reported “Queen’s Park fans were raving about the display of the wee fellow Hopper playing his first game on the right wing… they cheered and cheered him.” His debut season

saw Queen’s win the old 2nd Division title to earn promotion to the top tier for two seasons when average home attendances approached 10,000.

He won his first international amateur cap in May 1956 against West Germany in Munich, claiming his final, 27th, cap against Holland in Leiden in April 1969.

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Initially Niall played mostly as a winger or inside forward latterly dropping back to midfield. International highlights included playing Uganda, Tanganyika and Kenya in the 1963 Nairobi tournament and qualifying to reach the final in 1967 of the inaugural UEFA Nations Amateur Cup against Austria in Majorca, having defeated hosts Spain in the semi-final in front of 20,000 home fans.

In an earlier qualifier Scotland defeated the Republic of Ireland with Niall scoring two goals, reported as “The man of the match with a really slick display ... Ireland had no answer to his control and acceleration”.

Later in 1967 he played for Great Britain on tour against Sweden, Ireland and Iceland as part of the build-up to the 1968 Olympics while a domestic highlight was giving Lisbon Lions Celtic a scare in a Scottish Cup quarter-final with Niall scoring twice in a 5-3 defeat, Celtic edging through thanks to a last-minute goal. In scoring three, 2nd Division Queen’s did what no European rival could do against Celtic that season.

After his final match for the Spiders in September 1969 against Stranraer, Niall’s association with the club continued in various roles including as under-18s coach, assistant coach to the first team with great friend Eddie Hunter and as committee member.

On 20th June 1959 at Stonelaw Parish Church he married Moira Park, a bank employee, whom he had met at Rutherglen Academy. They went on to enjoy a long happy marriage during which they had children Alan and Susan, living most of their married life in Burnside, Rutherglen.

(Image: Jock Stein)

During his employment at Clyde Ironworks, Niall was called up for national service with the Royal Signals which he spent at Catterick and in West Germany. After qualifying as a metallurgist he held sales positions in the industry before becoming director with Steel Stockholders Birmingham Ltd, thereafter setting up his own family business now known as Anhop.

In his free time he enjoyed golf often in the company of old teammates; he was originally a member of Williamwood and then at Cathkin Braes where he was made a life member in 2015. He was also a long-term member and elder of Burnside Church, enjoying involvement with youngsters in the Parish and coaching a boys’ football team for years.

Son Alan commented, “He was a humble, fun loving gent who enjoyed the company of good friends and loved being surrounded by family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

He is survived by his wife, children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

JACK DAVIDSON