Hoppoates final message to Manly Fans-

[Preniers]

A MESSAGE TO MANLY FANS FROM JOHN HOPOATE - MARCH 23,05
With my career now over on behalf of my family I want to thank the supporters of the Manly Sea Eagles for their support during my career with the greatest club in the world.


I bear no bitterness towards the club for terminating my contract - they had no choice to do what they did.


I knew before I went to the judiciary that my career was over but I was still given the best of legal advice through Alan Sullivan QC and my coach Des Hasler who gave me great support.


The Manly club were fantastic in supporting me.


I want to make it clear that I don't want to go to England to play and I don't want to play with any other club.


My career is over and I have come to terms with that.My life now will revolve around my beautiful wife Brenda and my eight children.


I have asked for this space to be made available so I can - on behalf of my mother Mele and my family - thank Manly fans for the kind messages during the many turbulent times in my career.


I promise I never tried to maim Keith Galloway.It was simply a shoulder charge gone wrong.In a split second I messed it up and I thank God he isn't badly injured.


People are predicting I will play again.I won't - if I can't play with the club I love then I won't play.


I left once and that was enough.I may have had other colours on for a while but my heart was always with Manly.I have played for Manly for NSW and for Australia and I'm proud of that.


Please don't feel sorry for me.I am now prepared for retirement with a clear mind and proud that I will always be welcome at the Manly club.


I would also like to thank my team mates who have been with me through the good and bad times.My best wishes go to Manly for what I know will be a successful season.....I'll be at Brookie cheeering them on.My one wish left in my football career was to do a lap of honour after my final game with my children.That now can't happen but not everything in life ends the way you want it.Thank You.
JOHN HOPOATE

http://www.mightyeagles.com/Default.asp

 

[lolesi]

Dont worry John, i won't be feeling sorry for you

Goodbye.

 

[Southern Rooster]

As much he was a ratbag on the field. I hope his life outside of football turns out better then what it did over the last few years.

 

[wittyfan]

I am now prepared for retirement with a clear mind.

He actually possesses a mind?

 

[Balmain_Boy]

He's been punished. Let dead dogs lie. Whether he wrote that or not, and I have my doubts, the sentiments are probably his and for that I applaud him. So unfortunate that his talent was never totally fulfilled.

 

[coldhardbitch]

And coldhardbitch's final message to Hoppa...'Get Stuffed!'

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Let it go you lot. He's been punished and apologised, he and his family deserve as much of a shot at life (off the footy field of course) as anyone else does.

 

[Balmain_Boy]

Well said spacey.

 

[Harold Bishop]

Let it go you lot. He's been punished and apologised, he and his family deserve as much of a shot at life (off the footy field of course) as anyone else does.

Pretty much.
He said sorry, he got sacked, i dont know why some of you are so mad at hoppa, *edit - uncalled for*

 

[Red Bear]

Hope his life out of footy is better than it was, for his familys sake

 

[PARRA_FAN]

My message to Hoppa:

Youve been in the wrong so many times, yet youve been given so many chances. You've played in the NRL for over 10 years, which is a long time if you ask me. I was never a fan of you, however when you say your heart was Manly shows how much of a passionate Rugby League player you were. One word to describe Hoppa: Agressive.

He was always an agressive winger, may not be fastest, but was pretty tough. Used to make some big hits, make some good metres. At one stage he was leading the most runs from dummy half, and he was a winger.

I think one of the Hoppa highlights, apart from the controversial incidents, was a game against the Dragons where Manly won their first game of 2003, Hoppa intercepted a try and started dancing before he scored. It was funny to watch.

He was a bit of a sledge too, every opposition used to get annoyed.

Its good that he apoligised and copped it on the chin. I think the face of Hoppa during that game showed that he knew his career was over.

Hoppa's career stats with Manly, Northern Eagles and Wests Tigers:

Career stats: 201 games, 87 tries, 348 points

2 tests for Australia, 1 Origin game for NSW, 3 games for City (1997, 2002, 2003)

 

[bulldogs = #1]

how funny was it when hoppa put head gear ona nd ran on for rugby union 3rd division.

Ahh gotta love old hoppa' the game just wont be the same without him.

GOODBYE you old dirty bastard you

 

[Man_of_Steel_1982]

I bet he couldn't even read that letter, let alone write it.

I'm glad he's finished in the NRL. I won't be missing him.

 

[Jimbo]

Don't let the door hit you on your way out, asshole...

 

[Raider_69]

Hooroo hoppa, good player that never fully reached his potential, its a shame his career was tainted by so man incidents.
He did the wrong thing, he knows it and he has been punished accordingly, so as said before, let dead dogs lie, good luck with the rest of you life Hoppa, hope you sort it out for both yours and your familys sake

 

[MightySharks]

:blahb: :blahb: Hoppa I feel nothing for you, you could have killed Galloway.One letter doesn't repair things, actions speak louder than words! And we have witnessed you disgusting actions over and over again. Goodbye and good ridance!

 

[mr panama]

Career stats: 201 games, 87 tries, 348 points
2 tests for Australia, 1 Origin game for NSW, 3 games for City (1997, 2002, 2003)

did he only play one origin for nsw? could've swore he played more.

 

[Mr Saab]

he played in the 2nd game of 1995. It was at the MCG and there was that big fight that happened at the 1st scrum.
Hoppa started fighting with Matt Sing, and then Danny Moore joined in to help
Sing. I am more suprised he made 200 games in 1st grade with all the suspensions he had.

 

[Rexxy]

Hoppa's last words to Manly Fans?

"So long, Suckers".

 

[CliffyIsGod]

he played in the 2nd game of 1995. It was at the MCG and there was that big fight that happened at the 1st scrum.
Hoppa started fighting with Matt Sing, and then Danny Moore joined in to help
Sing. I am more suprised he made 200 games in 1st grade with all the suspensions he had.

And Mad Dog is playing his 100th...