Maurice Hepworth

Maurice Hepworth (born 6 September 1953) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League as a full back for Sunderland and Darlington. He went on to play in South Africa for Arcadia Shepherds.[2]

Maurice Hepworth
Personal information
Full name Maurice Hepworth[1]
Date of birth (1953-09-06) 6 September 1953[1]
Place of birth Hexham,[1] England
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
Sunderland
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–197? Sunderland 2 (0)
1974 → Arcadia Shepherds (loan)
1975 → Darlington (loan) 4 (0)
197?–1980 Arcadia Shepherds
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Life and career

Hepworth was born in Hexham, Northumberland, where he attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.[3] He began his football career with Sunderland, and made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old, on 12 April 1971 in a 3–1 win in a Second Division match at Bolton Wanderers.[4] He played once more that season[5] before returning to the reserves. In 1972–73, Hepworth was in and around the first-team squad approaching the FA Cup Final, when with a week to go, he was kicked in the stomach during a reserve match and suffered life-threatening internal injuries.[6][7]

When he recovered, he went to South Africa and helped Arcadia Shepherds win a treble of National Football League, NFL Cup and UTC Bowl.[8][9] On returning to England, he played a few matches for Darlington on loan,[1] but it was clear he would not be able to play for Sunderland again. He went back to Arcadia Shepherds, was Player of the Year in 1977, and played for them until a broken leg ended his career in 1980.[3][6]

He worked in a managerial role for drinks and fast-food companies, then in 2010 set up a coaching and leadership business working with schools, sportspeople and those employed in the drinks trade.[3] He is a Christian.[7]

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1998). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–1998. Queen Anne Press. p. 250. ISBN 978-1-85291-585-8.
  2. "Maurice Hepworth". Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Players Database. Neil Brown. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. Lognonne, Ruth (12 March 2010). "Maurice kicks off business venture". Hexham Courant. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  4. "1970–71: Football League Division 2 – Match 38". The Statcat. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  5. "1970–71: Football League Division 2". The Statcat. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  6. Houghton, Ashley (21 October 2013). "Hepworth reflects on Africa journey". Sunderland A.F.C. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  7. "Ex-Sunderland player spreads the Christian message through football". Sunderland Echo. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  8. King, Ian (19 August 2010). "South Africa 1974". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  9. King, Ian & Schöggl, Hans (14 November 2013). "South Africa Cup Winners". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 10 September 2014.
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