{{short description|English footballer (born 1993)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2016}} {{Use British English|date=April 2016}} {{Infobox football biography | name = JJ Hooper | image = JJ Hooper September 2020.png | caption = Hooper in September 2020 | fullname = Jonathan James Hooper<ref name="academy"/> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|9|df=y}}<ref name="academy"/> | birth_place = Greenwich, England<ref name="academy"/> | height = {{height|m=1.85}}<ref name="academy"/> | position = Forward; winger | currentclub = Bishop Auckland | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 2010–2011 | youthclubs1 = Cray Wanderers | youthyears2 = 2011–2012 | youthclubs2 = Newcastle United | years1 = 2012–2013 | clubs1 = Newcastle United | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2012 | clubs2 = → Darlington 1883 (loan) | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2012–2013 | clubs3 = → Workington (loan) | caps3 = 4 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 2013–2014 | clubs4 = Northampton Town | caps4 = 3 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2013 | clubs5 = → Alfreton Town (loan) | caps5 = 0 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2014 | clubs6 = → Farnborough (loan) | caps6 = 11 | goals6 = 6 | years7 = 2014–2015 | clubs7 = Havant & Waterlooville | caps7 = 37 | goals7 = 13 | years8 = 2015–2017 | clubs8 = Port Vale | caps8 = 51 | goals8 = 10 | years9 = 2016–2017 | clubs9 = → Northampton Town (loan) | caps9 = 10 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2017–2019 | clubs10 = Grimsby Town | caps10 = 46 | goals10 = 7 | years11 = 2018–2019 | clubs11 = → Bromley (loan) | caps11 = 22 | goals11 = 14 | years12 = 2019–2020 | clubs12 = Wrexham | caps12 = 19 | goals12 = 6 | years13 = 2020–2021 | clubs13 = Barnet | caps13 = 24 | goals13 = 7 | years14 = 2021–2023 | clubs14 = South Shields | caps14 = 21 | goals14 = 12 | years15 = 2023 | clubs15 = Gloucester City | caps15 = 7 | goals15 = 1 | years16 = 2023–2024 | clubs16 = Blyth Spartans | caps16 = 25 | goals16 = 11 | years17 = 2024 | clubs17 = Spennymoor Town | caps17 = 4 | goals17 = 0 | years18 = 2024–2025 | clubs18 = Blyth Spartans | caps18 = 17 | goals18 = 5 | years19 = 2025 | clubs19 = Morpeth Town | caps19 = | goals19 = | years20 = 2025– | clubs20 = Bishop Auckland | caps20 = | goals20 = | years21 = 2026 | clubs21 = → Morpeth Town (loan) | caps21 = | goals21 = | club-update = 20:16, 26 April 2026 (UTC) }}
'''Jonathan James Hooper''' (born 9 October 1993) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for {{English football updater|BishopAu}} club Bishop Auckland.
Hooper graduated through the Newcastle United Academy and played on loan at Darlington 1883 and Workington. He joined Northampton Town in July 2013 and featured in only five games as he spent time on loan at Alfreton Town and Farnborough. He joined Havant & Waterlooville in June 2014 and had a successful 2014–15 campaign as he helped the club to reach the play-offs. He signed a two-year contract with Port Vale in August 2015 before returning on loan to Northampton Town 12 months later. He signed with Grimsby Town in August 2017 and joined Bromley on loan in December 2018. After scoring 19 goals in 25 matches for Bromley, he was signed to Wrexham in June 2019. He spent the 2020–21 season with Barnet and moved on to South Shields in November 2021. He joined Gloucester City in January 2023 before moving on to Blyth Spartans six months later. He signed with Spennymoor Town in August 2024, and rejoined Blyth Spartans in November. He joined Morpeth Town in September 2025 and moved on to Bishop Auckland three months later.
==Playing career==
===Early career=== Born in Greenwich, Hooper began his footballing career at Cray Wanderers Academy. He made one first-team appearance for Cray in a London Senior Cup tie in February 2011.<ref name="Cray 150 Publications">{{cite web |title=Cray Wanderers - A Complete Statistical Record |publisher= Cray 150 Publications |url=http://www.cray150publications.co.uk |date=2014 |accessdate=31 October 2014}}</ref> On 19 August 2011, Hooper signed a two-year scholarship deal with Newcastle United, and scored a hat-trick against Chelsea under-18's the following day.<ref name="academy">{{cite web |title=JJ Hooper - Profile |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/AcademyPlayerProfile/0,,10278~2428741,00.html |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |access-date=4 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004032855/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/AcademyPlayerProfile/0,,10278~2428741,00.html |archive-date=4 October 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 14 November 2012, Hooper was loaned to Northern League side Darlington 1883.<ref>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=King |title=Hooper Loaned To Quakers |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20121114/hooper-loaned-to-quakers_2281670_2975243 |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |date=14 November 2012 |accessdate=4 August 2013}}</ref> He made one appearance for Darlington, where he played in the Northern League Cup.<ref name="nlv">{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Steel |title=Darlington beaten by Spennymoor in the Northern League Cup |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/darlington-beaten-spennymoor-northern-league-3668805 |newspaper=Gazette Live |location=Middlesbrough |date=15 November 2012 |accessdate=8 August 2017}}</ref> A month later, he joined Workington of the Conference North on loan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Workington Reds sign Newcastle United striker JJ Hooper |url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/reds/workington-reds-sign-newcastle-united-striker-jj-hooper-1.1020449 |newspaper=News & Star |location=Carlisle |date=7 December 2012 |accessdate=4 August 2013}}</ref> In February 2013, he was released by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lee |last=Ryder |title=Alan Pardew: Newcastle United will look for striker in summer |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/alan-pardew-newcastle-united-look-1352114 |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle |date=1 February 2013 |accessdate=4 August 2013}}</ref>
In July 2013, Hooper signed a one-year deal with Northampton Town after impressing on trial.<ref>{{cite web |title=Northampton Town sign JJ Hooper and Gary Deegan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23449468 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 July 2013 |access-date=4 August 2013}}</ref> On 3 August, he made his debut in the Football League, replacing Danny Emerton late into a 1–0 defeat to York City at Bootham Crescent.<ref>{{cite web |title=York City 1–1 Northampton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23474760 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2013 |access-date=4 August 2013}}</ref> He joined Conference Premier side Alfreton Town on a one-month loan deal on 28 November 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=JJ Hooper: Alfreton Town sign Northampton Town striker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25143123 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 November 2013 |access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref> He made his debut for Nicky Law's "Reds" in the FA Trophy in a 1–0 defeat to Nuneaton Town at North Street two days later.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfreton Town vs. Nuneaton |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/11/30/england/fa-trophy/alfreton-town-fc/nuneaton-town-fc/1602605 |publisher=Soccerway |date=30 November 2013 |accessdate=29 December 2013}}</ref> On 14 March 2014, Hooper joined Conference South side Farnborough on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web |first=Gareth |last=Willsher |title=JJ Hooper makes loan move to Farnborough |url=http://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/article/hooper-farnborough-loan-1420374.aspx |publisher=Northampton Town F.C. |accessdate=14 March 2014}}</ref> He scored six goals in 11 games which helped the "Yellows" to avoid relegation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Championship and League One clubs chasing striker JJ Hooper |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/9509868/transfer-news-championship-and-league-one-clubs-chasing-striker-jj-hooper |publisher=Sky Sports |date=9 October 2014 |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> He was released by Northampton at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |first=Gareth |last=Willsher |title=Four offered new terms, eight released |url=http://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/article/2014-retained-list-1540697.aspx |publisher=Northampton Town F.C. |date=7 May 2014 |accessdate=7 May 2014}}</ref>
In June 2014, Hooper signed with Lee Bradbury's Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hooper keen to repay Bradbury faith |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/hooper-keen-to-repay-bradbury-faith-1-6218899 |newspaper=The Portsmouth News |date=5 August 2014 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> The "Hawks" reached the play-offs at the end of the 2014–15 season, losing to Boreham Wood at the semi-final stage.<ref>{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Ricketts |title=Hawks gave everything but suffer play-off disappointment |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/hawks-gave-everything-but-suffer-play-off-disappointment-1-6723810 |newspaper=The Portsmouth News |date=4 May 2015 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> He finished the campaign with 13 goals in 37 league games, and he also scored seven further goals in FA Cup qualifying, Hampshire Senior Cup and Portsmouth Senior Cup games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Goalscoring History |url=http://www.havantandwaterlooville.co.uk/stats/scorersall.asp |website=havantandwaterlooville.co.uk |accessdate=10 August 2015}}</ref> He was called up to the England C team in May 2015, but did not win a cap.<ref>{{cite web |title=England C set for Republic of Ireland U21s test in Galway |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/england/development/2015/jun/england-c-set-for-irish-test-010615 |publisher=The Football Association |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref>
===Port Vale=== Hooper had trials at Scottish sides Dunfermline Athletic, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Raith Rovers in summer 2015, before playing two friendlies for Cheltenham Town.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Collin |first1=Iain |title=Former Inverness Caley Thistle, Raith Rovers and Dunfermline trialist JJ Hooper joins Port Vale |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13588601.former-inverness-caley-thistle-raith-rovers-dunfermline-trialist-jj-hooper-joins-port-vale/ |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=The Herald |date=11 August 2015 |language=en}}</ref> He impressed enough to win a contract with the club and was photographed with manager Gary Johnson when he was informed of interest from League One club Port Vale; Hooper sneaked out of Whaddon Road to speak with Port Vale shortly before he was due to sign a contract with Cheltenham.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Baggaley |title=How Vale beat Cheltenham to sign JJ Hooper |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Vale-beat-Cheltenham-sign-JJ-Hooper/story-27580296-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |date=10 August 2015 |access-date=10 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812000714/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Vale-beat-Cheltenham-sign-JJ-Hooper/story-27580296-detail/story.html |archive-date=12 August 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Cheltenham club website initially reported that Hooper had signed a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Palmer |title=Striker hungry goal another goal-den season |url=http://www.ctfc.com/news/article/cheltenham-town-newcastle-united-northampton-town-jj-hooper-2597835.aspx |publisher=Cheltenham Town F.C. |date=6 August 2015 |accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, he was revealed as a Port Vale player after signing a two-year contract with the club.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-Newcastle striker JJ Hooper signs two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33856051 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2015 |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref> The Football Association ruled that Port Vale pay Havant & Waterlooville £8,400 in compensation as the player was under 24.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Baggaley |title=FA say Port Vale must pay Havant and Waterlooville for JJ Hooper |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-pay/story-28093573-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=1 November 2015 |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104031034/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-pay/story-28093573-detail/story.html |archive-date=4 November 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Manager Rob Page gave Hooper substitute appearances of gradually increasing length, and he scored his first goal for the "Valiants" after coming on at half-time in a defeat to Millwall at The Den on 17 January, which was his tenth appearance for the club. He then began starting games; however, lost his first-team place to new signing Theo Robinson in February. On 12 March, he was named as ''The Sentinel'''s "star player" after coming off the bench on 66 minutes at Peterborough United to score a goal as Vale turned round a 2–1 deficit to win the game 3–2.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Baggaley |title=Peterborough 2, Port Vale 3: Star man and player ratings |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Peterborough-2-Port-Vale-3-Star-man-player/story-28912335-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=13 March 2016 |access-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314103323/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Peterborough-2-Port-Vale-3-Star-man-player/story-28912335-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> After scoring three goals in five games in April, he won the first ever League One PFA Fans' Player of the Month award.<ref>{{cite news |title=JJ Hooper wins PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for April |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11719/10271102/jj-hooper-wins-pfa-fans-player-of-the-month-award-for-april |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=Sky Sports |date=6 May 2016}}</ref>
He entered the 2016–17 pre-season in good fitness after having put in extra work with former long jump athlete Matt Burton, alongside Charlton Athletic players Jordan Cousins and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis. However, new manager Bruno Ribeiro began to play him on the right wing rather than at centre-forward, and Hooper returned to former club Northampton Town – now in League One and managed by former Vale boss Rob Page – on a five-month loan on 22 August.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Baggaley |title=Port Vale: JJ Hooper joins Northampton Town on loan |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-jj-hooper-joins-northampton-on-loan/story-29643402-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=22 August 2016 |access-date=22 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823005212/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-jj-hooper-joins-northampton-on-loan/story-29643402-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 August 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=JJ Hooper: Port Vale striker returns to Northampton Town on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37159048 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 August 2016 |accessdate=22 August 2016}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the "Cobblers" in a 6–0 victory over Harrow Borough in an FA Cup first-round match at Sixfields on 5 November.<ref>{{cite news |title=Northampton Town 6–0 Harrow Borough |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37807110 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 November 2016 |accessdate=5 November 2016}}</ref> He made eight starts and five substitute appearances for the "Cobblers", before being ruled out with a thigh injury in November and returning to Vale Park in January when Michael Brown replaced Ribeiro as manager. He was named in the EFL Team of the Week after he played a crucial role in Vale's 3–2 home victory over Swindon Town in a "relegation six-pointer" on 12 March, scoring two goals from left-midfield – including a perfectly placed free kick – and forcing a red card from defender Bradley Barry.<ref>{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Butcher |title=Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week |url=http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/sky-bet-efl-team-of-the-week-3622997.aspx |publisher=EFL |date=13 March 2017 |accessdate=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Baggaley |title=Port Vale 3, Swindon 2: Star man and player ratings |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-3-swindon-2-star-man-and-player-ratings/story-30196676-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=11 March 2017 |access-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312103042/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-3-swindon-2-star-man-and-player-ratings/story-30196676-detail/story.html |archive-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He was released by Brown following the club's relegation in May 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Thirteen senior players leave club after relegation to League Two |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39980596 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2017 |accessdate=20 May 2017}}</ref>
===Grimsby Town=== On 8 August 2017, Hooper signed a two-year contract with League Two side Grimsby Town on a free transfer, having spent the last few weeks on trial at the club.<ref>{{cite news |first=Liam |last=Wood |title=JJ Hooper signs for Grimsby Town as Russell Slade makes eighth summer signing |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/jj-hooper-signs-grimsby-town-298924 |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=8 August 2017 |accessdate=8 August 2017}}</ref> He scored seven goals in 35 appearances for the "Mariners" throughout the 2017–18 season, including a hat-trick on the final day at Forest Green Rovers on 5 May that earned him a place on the EFL team of the week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Forest Green Rovers 0–3 Grimsby Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43931752 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2018 |accessdate=11 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Team of the Week: final Weekend |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/may/team-of-the-week-matchday-46/ |accessdate=8 October 2019 |work=www.efl.com |date=7 May 2018 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He was switched to the left-wing by new manager Michael Jolley, who replaced Russell Slade in March, and Hooper credited this change to his run of form at the end of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news |first=Liam |last=Wood |title=Hooper urges Grimsby Town to keep hard work going |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jj-hooper-urges-grimsby-town-1541017 |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=8 May 2018 |accessdate=11 May 2018}}</ref>
On 5 December 2018, Hooper joined National League side Bromley on a one-month loan deal after dropping out of the first-team picture at Grimsby.<ref>{{cite news |first=Liam |last=Wood |title=JJ Hooper signs for Bromley on loan |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-striker-jj-hooper-2294148 |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=5 December 2018 |accessdate=7 December 2018}}</ref> He said that "I live ten minutes away [from Hayes Lane], so it's ideal for me!".<ref>{{cite news |title=Bromley sign JJ Hooper on loan: He's a Bromley boy and I think the pull of bringing him home helped with getting it across the line |url=https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/bromley051218 |accessdate=21 January 2019 |work=Kentish Football |date=5 December 2018}}</ref> The loan was later extended until the end of the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite news |first=Trevor |last=Green |title=Grimsby Town striker JJ Hooper extends loan spell at Bromley |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/grimsby-town-striker-jj-hooper-2404898 |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=8 January 2019 |accessdate=9 January 2019}}</ref> On 8 December, he made his first start for Bromley in a 2–0 away loss to Gateshead in the National League.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gateshead 2-0 Bromley |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46409403 |date=8 Dec 2018 |accessdate=19 Feb 2019}}</ref> On 15 January, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup.<ref name="kscv">{{cite web |title=Report: Bromley 3-1 Charlton Athletic |url=http://www.bromleyfc.tv/site/report-bromley-3-1-charlton-athletic/ |website=Bromley Football Club |accessdate=21 January 2019 |date=15 January 2019}}</ref> He ended the campaign as one of the National League's ten highest-scorers on 14 goals despite only being at a mid-table side for the second half of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Scorers - National League - Football |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/national-league/top-scorers |accessdate=9 May 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He was released by Grimsby at the end of the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48171521|title=Grimsby Town: Top scorer Wes Thomas among four released by Mariners|date=5 May 2019|accessdate=8 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>
===Wrexham=== On 18 June 2019, Hooper signed for National League club Wrexham on a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48683553|title=JJ Hooper: Wrexham sign former Grimsby striker on one-year deal|date=18 June 2019|accessdate=18 June 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Manager Bryan Hughes said Hooper was his "main target" of the summer, and hoped he would provide the goals that the "Reds" lacked in their failed 2018–19 promotion push.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Griffiths |first1=Rob |title=Dragons increase firepower as JJ Hooper signs for Wrexham AFC |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/uk-sport-news/jj-cooper-signs-wrexham-afc-16448276 |accessdate=19 June 2019 |work=northwales |date=18 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=New signing JJ Hooper is backing himself to score goals for Wrexham AFC |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/wrexham_afc/latest/17713882.new-signing-jj-hooper-is-backing-himself-to-score-goals-for-wrexham-afc/ |accessdate=19 June 2019 |work=The Leader |date=18 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He scored on his debut for the "Red Dragons" on 3 August, his headed goal levelled the scores in a 2–1 win over Barrow in the season opener at the Racecourse Ground.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Wrexham AFC 2 Barrow 1 |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/wrexham_afc/latest/17814335.wrexham-afc-2-barrow-1/ |accessdate=3 August 2019 |work=The Leader |date=3 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> However, he picked up a groin injury on 26 August and then went the next two months without a start, before marking his return to the first-team with the only goal of the game in the FA Cup replay with Chesterfield on 22 October.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Wrexham AFC striker JJ Hooper wants to make up for lost time following goal-scoring return |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/wrexham_afc/17990250.wrexham-afc-striker-jj-hooper-wants-make-lost-time-following-goal-scoring-return/ |accessdate=5 April 2020 |work=The Leader |date=24 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref> However, he was then sidelined for another two months after picking up an ankle injury four days later.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Striker JJ Hooper rubbishes claims he did not want to play for Wrexham AFC |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/18103854.striker-jj-hooper-rubbishes-claims-not-want-play-wrexham-afc/ |accessdate=5 April 2020 |work=The Leader |date=16 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Hooper and the club management were forced to deny rumours that he was refusing to play despite being deemed fully fit.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norris |first1=Tom |title=Hooper hasn't said no to playing for the Reds |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/18094443.wrexham-afc-boss-dean-keates-denies-suggestions-striker-jj-hooper-refused-play/ |accessdate=5 April 2020 |work=The Leader |date=11 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Speaking in January, Hooper said that he appreciated manager Dean Keates's faith in him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Wrexham AFC striker JJ Hooper appreciates the faith shown in him by manager Dean Keates |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/18191690.wrexham-afc-striker-jj-hooper-appreciates-faith-shown-manager-dean-keates/ |accessdate=5 April 2020 |work=The Leader |date=28 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He scored seven goals in 22 appearances in the 2019–20 season, which was permanently suspended on 26 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Wrexham in 20th-place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612 |title=National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately |newspaper=BBC Sport |accessdate=22 March 2020}}</ref>
===Barnet=== On 11 September 2020, Hooper signed with National League side Barnet.<ref>{{cite news |title=JJ Hooper becomes latest addition |url=https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2020/september/bees-land-jj-hooper/ |accessdate=11 September 2020 |work=www.barnetfc.com |date=11 September 2020 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He scored eight goals in 28 games for the "Bees" during the 2020–21 season and was then released upon the expiry of his contract.<ref name=SW/><ref>{{cite news |title=Club announces released/retained list following conclusion of season |url=https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2021/june/retained-list-2122/ |access-date=5 June 2021 |work=www.barnetfc.com |date=4 June 2021 |language=en-gb |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604190106/https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2021/june/retained-list-2122/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===South Shields=== Hooper had a trial with Hartlepool United in September 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Scurr |first1=Dominic |title=Former NUFC and Port Vale striker training at Hartlepool United – scored 19 in 25 during National League loan spell |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/former-newcastle-united-and-port-vale-striker-training-at-hartlepool-united-scored-19-in-25-during-national-league-loan-spell-3395604 |access-date=27 September 2021 |work=Hartlepool Mail |date=24 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> On 5 November, he signed with South Shields of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carruthers |first1=Mark |title=South Shields complete signing of former Newcastle United and Port Vale striker JJ Hooper |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-3/412513/south-shields-complete-signing-of-former-newcastle-united-and-port-vale-striker-jj-hooper/ |access-date=5 November 2021 |work=The Non-League Paper |date=5 November 2021}}</ref> Manager Graham Fenton said that "negotiations have taken place over quite a period of time and it's great that JJ has committed his long-term future to the club... we look forward to seeing him score many, many goals for South Shields".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mennear |first1=Richard |title=South Shields sign ex-Newcastle United prospect and former Grimsby, Wrexham and Barnet striker JJ Hooper |url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/south-shields-sign-ex-newcastle-united-prospect-and-former-grimsby-wrexham-and-barnet-striker-jj-hooper-3446896 |access-date=5 November 2021 |work=www.shieldsgazette.com |date=5 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> He scored four goals in a 4–2 win over Nantwich Town on 26 February.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Copley |first1=James |title=Kevin Phillips reacts to JJ Hooper's stunning South Shields performance in comeback win against Nantwich Town |url=https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/phillips-reacts-to-jj-hoopers-stunning-shields-performance-in-comeback-win-3588595 |access-date=2 March 2022 |work=Shields Gazette |date=27 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He totalled 12 goals in 21 league games to help Kevin Phillips's "Mariners" qualify for the play-offs at the end of the 2021–22 season. However, they would lose a penalty shoot-out with Warrington Town in the semi-finals.<ref name="footballwebpages"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Prince |first1=Daniel |title=Match Report: South Shields 1-1 Warrington Town (5-6 on pens) |url=https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/match-report-south-shields-1-1-warrington-town-6-7-on-pens/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=South Shields FC |date=26 April 2022 |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529030441/https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/match-report-south-shields-1-1-warrington-town-6-7-on-pens/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In November 2022, Hooper was granted permission to speak to multiple clubs about a potential move away.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/club-update-jj-hooper/|title=Club Update: JJ Hooper|website=southshieldsfc.co.uk|date=14 November 2022|accessdate=14 November 2022|archive-date=14 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114183334/https://southshieldsfc.co.uk/club-update-jj-hooper/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2023, Hooper's contract was terminated by mutual consent after he failed to appear for the club in the first half of the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southshieldsfc.co.uk/post/jj-hooper-to-leave-south-shields|title=JJ Hooper to leave South Shields|website=www.southshieldsfc.co.uk|date=11 January 2023|accessdate=12 January 2023}}</ref>
===Later career=== On 18 January 2023, Hooper joined National League North club Gloucester City on a deal until the end of the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gloucestercityafc.com/post/jj-hooper-joins-city|title=JJ HOOPER JOINS CITY|website=www.gloucestercityafc.com|date=18 January 2023|accessdate=18 January 2023}}</ref> He played seven games for the club, scoring one goal.<ref name="SW"/>
On 6 July 2023, Hooper joined fellow National League North side Blyth Spartans, re-uniting with former South Shields boss Graham Fenton, whom he cited as a factor in his decision to join the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=JJ Hooper becomes Spartans' latest arrival at Croft Park |url=http://www.blythspartans.com/jj-hooper-becomes-spartans-latest-arrival-at-croft-park/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=Blyth Spartans AFC |date=6 July 2023}}</ref> He endured injuries in the first half of the 2023–24 season, though was praised by manager Jon Shaw for finding a run of good form around new year.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carruthers |first1=Mark |title=In-form Blyth Spartans striker praised ahead of Scarborough Athletic clash |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/sport/football/in-form-blyth-spartans-striker-praised-ahead-of-scarborough-athletic-clash-4488078 |access-date=29 April 2024 |work=Northumberland Gazette |date=22 January 2024}}</ref> He ended the campaign with 11 goals from 25 league games as Spartans were relegated in 21st place.<ref name="SW"/>
On 9 August 2024, Hooper returned to the National League North with Spennymoor Town after impressing Graeme Lee during a trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spennymoortownfc.co.uk/2024/08/09/jj-hooper-signs-for-spennymoor-town/|title=JJ Hooper Signs For Spennymoor Town|website=spennymoortownfc.co.uk|date=9 August 2024|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> He was unable to establish himself in the first team, and had made only four substitute appearances before returning to Blyth Spartans on 14 November for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spennymoortownfc.co.uk/2024/11/14/jj-hooper-completes-blyth-spartans-move/ |title=JJ Hooper Completes Blyth Spartans Move |publisher=Spennymoor Twn F.C. |date=14 November 2024 |access-date=15 November 2024}}</ref> He scored five goals in 17 games in the 2024–25 season, which ended in a second successive relegation.<ref name=Spartans/><ref>{{cite news |title=Blyth Spartans: Second successive relegation confirmed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czrned825p1o |access-date=13 May 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2025}}</ref> He was released in May 2025.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.blythspartans.com/news/blyth-spartans-afc-retained-list/|title=Blyth Spartans AFC - Retained List|website=www.blythspartans.com|date=21 May 2025|accessdate=22 May 2025}}</ref>
In September 2025, Hooper joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Morpeth Town.<ref> {{cite tweet|number=1967955975241076977|title=We’re thrilled to welcome JJ Hooper to the club! 🤝 The 31 year-old experienced striker is in this evening's squad 📋 #UpThePeth|user=MorpethTownAFC|author-link=Morpeth Town A.F.C.|date=16 September 2025|accessdate=19 September 2025}}</ref> He moved on to Bishop Auckland of the Northern Premier League Division One East in December 2025 after being offered better financial terms.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tait |first1=John |title=Morpeth Town hit by stoppage time goal as they struggle with injuries and the departure of JJ Hooper |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/sport/football/morpeth-town-hit-by-stoppage-time-goal-as-they-struggle-with-injuries-and-the-departure-of-jj-hooper-5442316 |access-date=30 December 2025 |work=Northumberland Gazette |date=15 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=tait |first1=John |title=Morpeth Town's list of injured players grows |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/sport/football/morpeth-towns-list-of-injured-players-grows-5443733 |access-date=30 December 2025 |work=Northumberland Gazette |date=15 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> He rejoined Morpeth Town on loan in February 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bishop - Loan move JJ Hooper has joined Morpeth Town on loan until the end of the season. Good Luck JJ. #TwoBlues #TheBishops {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/bishopafc/photos/loan-move-jj-hooper-has-joined-morpeth-town-on-loan-until-the-end-of-the-seasong/1546766074117910/ |website=www.facebook.com |access-date=26 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref> Both clubs were relegated at the end of the 2025–26 campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patchett |first1=Leo |title=Van The MAN For Spartans |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-3/northern-premier-league/614238/van-the-man-for-spartans/ |access-date=26 April 2026 |work=The Non-League Football Paper |date=25 April 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Connell |first1=Lewis |title=Highwaymen Raid in Vein |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/step-3/northern-premier-league/614150/highwaymen-raid-in-vain/ |access-date=26 April 2026 |work=The Non-League Football Paper |date=25 April 2026}}</ref>
==Style of play== Primarily a forward, he can also play as a winger. Speaking in December 2015, Port Vale assistant manager Paul Bodin said that Hooper had excellent natural "one-on-one basic technical finishing" skills, but needed further full-time training to improve his other attributes.<ref>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Baggaley |title=JJ Hooper making rapid progress towards first-team spot |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-JJ-Hooper/story-28391176-detail/story.html |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=19 December 2015 |access-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222123559/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-JJ-Hooper/story-28391176-detail/story.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
==Coaching career== In March 2020, he opened Kixx, a football academy in Bromley, alongside teacher Jude Imo-Itah and fellow professional Ade Azeez.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brooks |first1=Cathy |title=League footballers to launch new children's academy in Bromley |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/18286209.league-footballers-launch-new-childrens-academy-bromley/ |accessdate=5 April 2020 |work=News Shopper |date=6 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 12 April 2025}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Newcastle United |2012–13<ref name=sb1213>{{Soccerbase season|id=70955|season=2012|accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |Darlington 1883 (loan) |2012–13<ref name="nlv"/> |Northern League |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=ncl|Appearance in the Northern League Cup}}||0||1||0 |- |Workington (loan) |2012–13<ref name=SW/> |Conference North |4||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||4||1 |- |Northampton Town |2013–14<ref name=sb1314>{{Soccerbase season|id=70955|season=2013|accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref> |League Two |3||0||0||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy / EFL Trophy}}||0||5||0 |- |Alfreton Town (loan) |2013–14<ref name=sb1314/> |Conference Premier |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}}||0||1||0 |- |Farnborough (loan) |2013–14<ref name=SW/> |Conference South |11||6||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||11||6 |- |Havant & Waterlooville |2014–15<ref name=SW/> |Conference South |37||13||3||1||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||42||14 |- |rowspan=3|Port Vale |2015–16<ref name=sb1516>{{Soccerbase season|id=70955|season=2015|accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref> |League One |28||5||1||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||30||5 |- |2016–17<ref name=sb1617/> |League One |23||5||0||0||1||0||0||0||24||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !51!!10!!1!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!54!!10 |- |Northampton Town (loan) |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{Soccerbase season|id=70955|season=2016|accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref> |League One |10||0||1||1||0||0||2{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||13||1 |- |rowspan=3|Grimsby Town |2017–18<ref name=sb1718>{{Soccerbase season|id=70955|season=2017|accessdate=14 September 2017}}</ref> |League Two |31||6||0||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=EFLT}}||1||35||7 |- |2018–19<ref name=sb1819>{{Soccerbase season|id=70955|season=2018|accessdate=20 August 2018}}</ref> |League Two |15||1||0||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=EFLT}}||1||19||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !46!!7!!0!!0!!2!!0!!6!!2!!55!!9 |- |Bromley (loan) |2018–19<ref name=SW/><ref name="kscv"/> |National League |22||14||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in FA Trophy and Kent Senior Cup}}||5||25||19 |- |Wrexham |2019–20<ref name=SW/> |National League |19||6||2||1||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||22||7 |- |Barnet |2020–21<ref name=SW/> |National League |24||7||3||1||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||28||8 |- |rowspan=3|South Shields |2021–22<ref name="footballwebpages">{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/south-shields/appearances/2021-2022/jj-hooper/933435 |title=South Shields – Appearances – JJ Hooper – 2021–2022 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=15 November 2024}}</ref> |Northern Premier League<br>Premier Division |21||12||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=POF|Appearance(s) in play-offs}}||0||22||12 |- |2022–23<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/south-shields/appearances/2022-2023 |title=South Shields – Appearances – 2022–2023 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=15 November 2024}}</ref> |Northern Premier League<br>Premier Division |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !21!!12!!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!22!!12 |- |Gloucester City |2022–23<ref name="SW"/> |National League North |7||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||7||1 |- |Blyth Spartans |2023–24<ref name="SW"/> |National League North |25||11||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||25||11 |- |Spennymoor Town |2024–25<ref name=SW>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/jonathan-hooper/279548/ |title=J. Hooper |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=15 November 2024}}</ref> |National League North |4||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||4||0 |- |Blyth Spartans |2024–25<ref name=Spartans>{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/blyth-spartans/appearances/2024-2025/jj-hooper/975488 |title=Blyth Spartans – Appearances – JJ Hooper – 2024–2025 |website=Football Web Pages |access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> |Northern Premier League<br>Premier Division |17||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||17||5 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !301!!93!!10!!4!!4!!0!!20!!7!!335!!104 |} {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}} *{{Soccerway|jonathan-hooper/279548}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hooper, JJ}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Black British sportsmen Category:English men's footballers Category:Footballers from the Royal Borough of Greenwich Category:People from Greenwich Category:National League (English football) players Category:English Football League players Category:Northern Premier League players Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Sevenoaks Town F.C. players Category:Cray Wanderers F.C. players Category:Newcastle United F.C. players Category:Darlington F.C. players Category:Workington A.F.C. players Category:Northampton Town F.C. players Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players Category:Farnborough F.C. players Category:Havant & Waterlooville F.C. players Category:Port Vale F.C. players Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players Category:Bromley F.C. players Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players Category:Barnet F.C. players Category:South Shields F.C. players Category:Gloucester City A.F.C. players Category:Blyth Spartans A.F.C. players Category:Spennymoor Town F.C. players Category:Morpeth Town A.F.C. players Category:Bishop Auckland F.C. players Category:English football coaches Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:21st-century Black British people