Tribute to an Albion legend – Bobby Hope
ALBION fans worldwide have been in mourning for Bobby Hope, who passed away on June 10, aged 78.
Bobby was born in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, in 1943, and joined the Baggies in 1959, turning down the opportunity to play for Glasgow Rangers, the club he had supported since he was a boy.
Tony Matthews wrote, “His splendid ball skills and telling passes were highlights of a wonderful association with Albion, with whom he won a League Cup tankard in 1966 and an FA Cup medal two years later, as well as collecting runners-up prizes in the League Cup competition in 1967 and 1970.”
Bobby Hope also had the distinction of scoring Albion’s first ever goal in a European cup competition, in the 1966-67 Inter-cities Fairs Cup second round first leg tie against DOS Utrecht in Holland – the Baggies drew the away leg 1–1, thanks to Hope’s goal, and won the return leg, 5–2.
Hope’s time with Albion is a period that is looked back on fondly by the Baggies faithful. Speaking to the Express and Star in 2010, Hope said, “They were a great set of lads. We probably weren’t the best team in the league, because we weren’t consistent enough and didn’t have a big enough squad. But in the cups we always seemed to rise to the occasion because we could always score goals. We had people like Tony Brown and Jeff Astle.”
Hope was a midfield maestro, a skilful player who made the openings for the hitmen up front, like Brown and Astle, to bang in the goals for the Baggies. As it was, Hope scored 33 goals for Albion in his 336 league appearances between 1960 and 1972.
Hope played for his country seven times – five of his caps coming during a Scotland overseas tour in 1967.
Hope left the Hawthorns in May 1972 for Birmingham City for a £66,666 fee. While playing for Blues he had loan spells at the US clubs Philadelphia Atoms and Dallas Tornados.
His next English club was Sheffield Wednesday and in 1979 he joined Bromsgrove Rovers, later becoming manager. He guided Bromsgrove to second place in the Vauxhall Conference before going on to manage Burton Albion.
Bobby Hope returned to the Albion staff in the 1990s, becoming chief scout in 2000. He will be greatly missed by all associated with West Bromwich Albion.