Robert Hopkins

Robert Arthur Hopkins (25 October 1961 – 11 January 2026) was an English professional footballer who played as a winger. In 2012, Hopkins was one of seven former players elected to Birmingham City's Hall of Fame.

He played in more than 300 Football League matches for Aston Villa, Birmingham City (in two spells), Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, Shrewsbury Town and Colchester United. He also played in Hong Kong for Instant-Dict and for non-League clubs Solihull Borough and Bromsgrove Rovers.

Career Hopkins was born in the Hall Green district of Birmingham, and started his playing career at Aston Villa, with whom he won the FA Youth Cup in 1980. when he came on as a substitute and scored with his only touch in the game. On 9 Oct 1982, he made his final appearance in a 1–4 defeat to Notts County at Meadow Lane. He also scored the decisive own goal in an embarrassing FA Cup defeat at home to non-league club Altrincham.

Honours Aston Villa FA Youth Cup: 1979–80 Southern Junior Floodlit Cup: 1979–80

Birmingham City Football League Second Division runners-up: 1984–85 Associate Members' Cup: 1990–91

Individual Birmingham City F.C. Hall of Fame: inducted 2012