Tales from the Members Bar 8 - Mark Hopley
By OSB
December 20 2007
How appropriate: Number 8 in the series is Mark Hopley. As this is such a busy week, I will not leave you hanging on for the information that you all so desperately crave. After last week's rather austere choice of biscuit we have moved along to the high rollers' end of the Sainsbury's shelf. Mark's favourite is McVitie's Caramel Chocolate Digestive. Ooh! I can taste them.
December 20 2007
How appropriate: Number 8 in the series is Mark Hopley. As this is such a busy week, I will not leave you hanging on for the information that you all so desperately crave. After last week's rather austere choice of biscuit we have moved along to the high rollers' end of the Sainsbury's shelf. Mark's favourite is McVitie's Caramel Chocolate Digestive. Ooh! I can taste them.
Tales from the Members’ Bar
No.8 Mark Hopley
How appropriate: Number 8 in the series is Mark Hopley.
As this is such a busy week, I will not leave you hanging on for the information that you all so desperately crave. After last week's rather austere choice of biscuit we have moved along to the high rollers' end of the Sainsbury's shelf. Mark's favourite is McVitie's Caramel Chocolate Digestive. Ooh! I can taste them.
It could be that his house-mate, Digger of the enormous automobile, has led him to the luxury end of the market but there was no doubting, Hoppers was firm in his choice.
Mark Hopley is one of the Worcester Four - liberated from Sixways by James Sinclair. He is not a local lad - neither to Worcester nor here. He hails from Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire (marks for correct pronunciation). His early rugby was played at Whitchurch in Shropshire. Mark was a mini rugby player from the early stages and on through the juniors. He expanded his horizons as he turned sixteen and went to play colts rugby at Manchester.
While at Manchester, Hoppers came into contact with a coach by the name of Graham Smith. He went on to become Doreen to Ollie Redman's Jim at Worcester Academy. By this time Mark was a member of the England Clubs' Under 18 side and a candidate for an academy position. Being known was helpful in getting to Worcester but was never going to help him after Smith's next move. Drastic surgery and hormone treatment cuts no ice with the RFUW.
Mark trained with the England Under 21 team with the likes of Haskell, Rees and Seymour and was understandably pleased to be capped by the coach at the time, one Jim Mallinder. Mark's style has been described as abrasive so it comes as no surprise to find that one of the players he most admires is Martin Corry.
Hoppers revealed that while he has yet to visit the Red Lion at Kegworth (his sponsor), he has heard reports that its beer is kept very well and has arranged a gathering of friends there in the near future. Perhaps he would have enjoyed a few more quiet evenings there had he not thrown himself into community rugby. On a Tuesday evening he can be found out on the training pitch with the Milton Keynes first XV. In a year that is primarily supposed to be one of consolidation, the Wolverton club finds itself fourth in its division. A good second half to the season and the objective will have been achieved.
On Thursdays, Mark is looking for promotion. His other team is Stewart & Lloyds at Corby. They lie third in their league and need to overhaul Wellingborough for a promotion place.
Having recently recovered from a stinger injury to his upper arm, Hoppers is fit and available selection. Like everyone else with those attributes, he is hoping for the call this weekend.
arw
19.12.2007
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Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 19:45
Tales from the members bar 8
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 19:53
Now that really does take the biscuit
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: smurfomatic (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 19:54
Caramel chocolate digestives...top class, although I doubt the club nutritionist approves.
Nice one Richard.
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Smurf's Photo Gallery
Nice one Richard.
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Smurf's Photo Gallery
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Saint Tim (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 20:14
Cracking stuff. Expensive taste for a down to earth lad.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Paul Flatt (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 20:47
"Chumley Karsel", Mr Pastry sir!
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Paul Flatt (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 20:48
- Crackers, innit?
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: ChrisG (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 20:54
...and even a mention for Wolverton.
I'll buy you a gypsy cream on Saturday Richard.
I'll buy you a gypsy cream on Saturday Richard.
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Flinstone Saint (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 21:23
Excellent stuff. And I'm with Flattie on this one, its "Chumley" as in the Fast Show's "Mr (Cholmondeley)Chumley-Warner".
Please sponsor me for SWH7
Please sponsor me for SWH7
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Ian Spokes (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 22:08
Another triumph, no less.
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Howlin (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 22:26
Definitely Chumley. Another really good article OSB, thank you. And imo yes he could be another "Corry" and could well be one big fat reason why a certain Sarfie is contemplating legal action.
Saint til I die
Saint til I die
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Wee Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 20/12/2007 23:17
Agreed potentially another Corry and great reporting OSB
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Phil. (IP Logged)
Date: 21/12/2007 00:33
another great read, OSB!
I'm just wondering, cos we know that the players (or at least, some of them) read this site, has it got to the point where they are now trying to out-do each other on the biscuit question? Which would be very funny, if true!
And one other thing, for OSB. You are conducting a serious interview for ComeOnYouSaints.com and you have to ask the B question. Do the players now know that it is coming or, do you get a look like "why is he asking me this blinkin' question?"
jus' curious loike.
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
I'm just wondering, cos we know that the players (or at least, some of them) read this site, has it got to the point where they are now trying to out-do each other on the biscuit question? Which would be very funny, if true!
And one other thing, for OSB. You are conducting a serious interview for ComeOnYouSaints.com and you have to ask the B question. Do the players now know that it is coming or, do you get a look like "why is he asking me this blinkin' question?"
jus' curious loike.
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: oddshapedballs (IP Logged)
Date: 21/12/2007 09:41
I take two approaches, Mav. I ask it either first or last. I asked Foxy first and he said, "Oh, it's going to be one of those interviews, is it?" That rather took the wind out of my sails as I assured him that was the only question of that sort.
Normally, I work up to it as a big finish - that way it confirms the impression that they have been gradually assuming - that I am a complete idiot.
Normally, I work up to it as a big finish - that way it confirms the impression that they have been gradually assuming - that I am a complete idiot.
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: oddshapedballs (IP Logged)
Date: 21/12/2007 09:47
Really, Howlin?
I thought said Sarfie was concentrating on getting fit for the Lions pre-season.
The court actions are South African paper talk - regurgitated here some weeks later by the Northampton gutter press struggling to fill its word quota. Shoddy.
I think that you will find no papers have been served anywhere.
I thought said Sarfie was concentrating on getting fit for the Lions pre-season.
The court actions are South African paper talk - regurgitated here some weeks later by the Northampton gutter press struggling to fill its word quota. Shoddy.
I think that you will find no papers have been served anywhere.
Re: Tales from the members bar 8
Posted by: Howlin (IP Logged)
Date: 21/12/2007 14:38
I still think Hopley could be a big reason why it was decided we didn't want him.
And I said contemplating......Pedant
Saint til I die
And I said contemplating......Pedant
Saint til I die
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