Alex Cropley
Encyclopedia
Alex Cropley is a retired footballer who won two caps
for Scotland
.
Cropley began his career with Hibernian
, where he featured in the Hibs side of the early 1970s known as "Turnbull
's Tornadoes". While with Hibs he played in a Scottish Cup Final
and won the Scottish League Cup
. Despite being born in the south of England, Cropley was eligible for Scotland and he was selected for the matches against Belgium and Portugal
in 1971
.
Late in 1974, Cropley was transferred to Arsenal
, where he struggled to make an impact, largely due to injuries. He had made his debut against Carlisle United
on 7 December 1974, but broke his leg in a match away to Middlesbrough
in January 1975 and broke it again soon after his comeback. He returned to make 22 appearances in 1975–76 but could not cement his place in the Arsenal first team. He was transferred to Aston Villa in September 1976, having played 34 times, scoring five goals, for Arsenal.
At Villa, he featured in a memorable win against the great Liverpool
side of the period, but he suffered serious injury, a broken leg, yet again on 10 December 1977, a few months after appearing in the club's League Cup Final victory against Everton. Cropley finished his career with spells at Newcastle
(on loan), Toronto Blizzard
and Portsmouth
. He retired from professional football
in 1982 at the relatively young age of 31. His son Jordan (also a midfielder
) played for Hibs' youth teams
, but was released in 2009.
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Cropley began his career with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, where he featured in the Hibs side of the early 1970s known as "Turnbull
Eddie Turnbull
Edward Hunter Turnbull was a Scottish professional football player and manager.During the late 1940s and 1950s he was one of the Famous Five, the noted Hibernian forward line, along with Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, and Willie Ormond...
's Tornadoes". While with Hibs he played in a Scottish Cup Final
Scottish Cup 1971-72
The 1971–72 Scottish Cup was the 87th staging of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Celtic who defeated Hibernian in the final.-First round:-Second round:-Replays:-Third round:-Replays:...
and won the Scottish League Cup
1972-73 in Scottish football
The 1972–73 season was the 76th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Kilmarnock, Airdrieonians-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: Clyde, Dunfermline Athletic...
. Despite being born in the south of England, Cropley was eligible for Scotland and he was selected for the matches against Belgium and Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
in 1971
1971-72 in Scottish football
The 1971–72 season was the 75th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Clyde, Dunfermline-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: Dumbarton, Arbroath-Cup honours:...
.
Late in 1974, Cropley was transferred to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, where he struggled to make an impact, largely due to injuries. He had made his debut against Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
on 7 December 1974, but broke his leg in a match away to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in January 1975 and broke it again soon after his comeback. He returned to make 22 appearances in 1975–76 but could not cement his place in the Arsenal first team. He was transferred to Aston Villa in September 1976, having played 34 times, scoring five goals, for Arsenal.
At Villa, he featured in a memorable win against the great Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
side of the period, but he suffered serious injury, a broken leg, yet again on 10 December 1977, a few months after appearing in the club's League Cup Final victory against Everton. Cropley finished his career with spells at Newcastle
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
(on loan), Toronto Blizzard
Toronto Blizzard (NASL)
The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that played in the North American Soccer League.-History:The Toronto Metros joined the NASL in 1971. Their home field was Varsity Stadium....
and Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. He retired from professional football
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
in 1982 at the relatively young age of 31. His son Jordan (also a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
) played for Hibs' youth teams
Youth system
Youth system is a sporting terminology used to refer to a youth investment program within a particular team or league, which develops and nurtures young talent in farm teams, with the vision of using them in the first team if they show enough promise, and to fill up squads numbers in some teams...
, but was released in 2009.