July, 1995. David Hopkin was on holiday with his wife and two children in Cornwall and, 250 miles away, Ruud Gullit was agreeing terms with Chelsea. Hopkin had begun to establish himself with the Blues, but the Dutch legend’s move to England would spark the end of his time in the Chelsea midfield.
Hopkins’ agent, Phil Morrison, phoned him up. Chelsea had agreed an £800,000 deal with the recently relegated Crystal Palace.
A few weeks before, Hopkin had given Richard Shaw and Darren Patterson a “torrid” time in a pre-season Reserve match. Chelsea Academy coach and ex-Eagle Peter Nicholas spoke to Palace.