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==