Chris Hope

Christopher Jonathan Hope (born 14 November 1972) is an English former footballer. Hope made over 500 appearances in the Football League for Scunthorpe United and Gillingham between 1993 and 2006.

Career

Born in Sheffield, Hope began his career as a trainee with Darlington in 1989 and then joined Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the 1990–91 season. He did not make a first team appearance for either club and joined Scunthorpe United for £50,000 at the beginning of the 1993–94 season. Hope was an integral part of the side at Glanford Park and made 333 appearances (288 in the league) for Scunthorpe in seven seasons. A steady influence at the back, Hope made 177 successive appearances without missing a game.

In July 2000, Hope joined Gillingham for a transfer fee of £250,000, signing a four-year contract. Hope made his debut in the club's first ever game in the First Division, a 3–1 home defeat to Stockport County, in August 2000, made 145 consecutive appearances and was rewarded with a new three-year contract in March 2003. He went on 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. He missed much of the 2005–06 season due to injury, and was released by manager Ronnie Jepson at the end of the season having made over 250 league and cup appearances for Gillingham since joining from Scunthorpe.

Hope signed a two-year deal with Conference National club Rushden & Diamonds in July 2006. Rushden manager Paul Hart described him as "... a gutsy battler who shows great leadership, his integrity and honesty is a terrific example, and he is the perfect role model for our younger players. His experience will be of great benefit", and named him team captain for the 2006–07 season. He was released by Rushden & Diamonds at the end of the 2007–08 season owing to financial constraints, and turned down a move to Dover Athletic, managed by former Gillingham teammate Andy Hessenthaler, as he was unable to relocate to Kent. He joined Conference North club Corby Town in June 2009 for the 2009–10 season.

Hope joined Southern Football League Division One Central side St Neots Town in summer 2011. On 21 July 2012, Hope joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds. During the 2012-13 league campaign, he made 30 appearances for the club, scoring four goals.

Following his retirement from playing professionally, he began working at Kimbolton School as a football coach.

Personal life

Hope's father, John, played League football as a goalkeeper, and his younger brother Richard played as a defender.

Playing statistics

(to end of 2008–09 season)