ROB Hopley has pledged to come back fitter, stronger and more determined than ever from his loan spell at Colwyn Bay.
Proof that the striker is close to regaining full match sharpness came on Saturday when he hit a hat-trick in the North Wales club’s victory at Bradford Park Avenue.
Bay, who play one rung higher up the non-league ladder than Chester FC after winning promotion last season, would love Hopley to make a permanent return to Llanelian Road.
But Blues boss Neil Young has no intention of letting that happen as he believes the 26-year-old has a vital role to play in his side’s title run-in – and that suits Hopley fine.
He said: “Neil said he couldn’t guarantee me a starting place once I came back from hamstring and calf injuries, so it’s done me a world of good to get 90 minutes under my belt. I feel fitter and stronger and now I’m getting goals too.
“I’m full of confidence and looking forward to showing what I can do. I’ve got a couple of weeks left then I’ll be back at Chester knocking on Youngy’s door.”
Having followed Young to the Blues from Colwyn Bay in the summer, Hopley had the honour of scoring the reborn club’s first competitive goal when he netted six minutes into the big season opener at Warrington Town.
The former Macclesfield Town youngster – a proven goalscorer in Chester’s division – then added strikes against Chorley and his old club Leek Town.
But since then his progress has been hampered by the niggling knocks and strains that are a consequence of the career-threatening knee injury he sustained in October 2009.
Crewe-born Hopley, whose four-week loan runs out at the beginning of next month, said: “I was out for a good nine months and I had to do a really good pre-season to get myself back fit. I did that but the little injuries started coming around October.
“But I’m feeling good now and I can’t wait to get back. I’ve kept in touch with some of the lads and I came back to watch the Fylde game last Wednesday.
“My Chester career has been a bit stop-start but this month at Colwyn Bay will do me good. I’ll be confident, fit and ready to help the lads in the title run-in.”
While Hopley is making it his aim to win a place back in Chester’s starting line-up, his main priority is his new baby daughter Ella.
Hopley’s fiancée gave birth to the couple’s first child on December 27. The new dad said: “It’s been a busy Christmas!”
The first City Fans United members meeting of the year takes place in the Blues Bar at the Exacta Stadium on Tuesday. The bar will be open from 6pm for a 6.30pm start. New members are welcome.
