Jordan Cropper
{{short description|English footballer (born 2000)}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jordan Cropper
| image = File:Jordan Cropper 29032025.jpg
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Cropper in 2025
| full_name = Jordan Geoffrey Cropper
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|5|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nottingham, England
| height =
| position = Right back
| currentclub = Boston United
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2016–2017
| youthclubs1 = Ilkeston
| youthyears2 = 2017–2020
| youthclubs2 = Burnley
| years1 = 2016–2017
| clubs1 = Ilkeston
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2020–2021
| clubs2 = Burnley
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2020
| clubs3 = → Chesterfield (loan)
| caps3 = 8
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2020–2021
| clubs4 = → Chesterfield (loan)
| caps4 = 12
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2022–2023
| clubs5 = Grimsby Town
| caps5 = 10
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2023
| clubs6 = → Barnet (loan)
| caps6 = 7
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2023–2025
| clubs7 = Barnet
| caps7 = 54
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2025–
| clubs8 = Boston United
| caps8 = 0
| goals8 = 0
| club-update = 22:20, 9 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Jordan Geoffrey Cropper (born 12 May 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Boston United.
Cropper initially played for non-league side Ilkeston before joining the Burnley youth academy. He signed his first professional contract in 2019 and spent two spells on loan with Chesterfield. He joined Grimsby Town on a permanent deal and despite only playing a small number of games his long throws assisted the winning goal in the both 2022 National League play-off semi final over Wrexham and the subsequent final against Solihull Moors. He has also spent time on loan with Barnet.
Career
=Early career=
Born in Nottingham, Cropper came through the youth ranks at Derbyshire-based non-league side Ilkeston initially playing as a striker, making his first team debut at the age of 16 in a Northern Premier League game against Mickleover Sports on Boxing Day 2016.{{cite tweet|user=traviscomery|number=813453873377636352|title= Proud of my bro @jordancropper_7 to make his @IlkestonFC first team debut at 16 today! 👊🏽❤️}}
=Burnley=
In March 2017 he joined Premier League side Burnley as an academy player.{{Cite web|url=https://www.longeatonutd.co.uk/news/meet-new-long-eaton-united-manager-steve-welsh-1885735.html|title=Meet new Long Eaton United manager Steve Welsh|website=www.longeatonutd.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.uptheclarets.com/cropper-puts-pen-to-paper-on-first-pro-deal|title=Cropper puts pen to paper on first pro deal|first=Tony|last=Scholes|date=April 18, 2019}} In September 2017 he scored a hattrick for the under-18's in a game against Sheffield Wednesday.{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/burnley-u18s-3-sheffield-wednesday-u18s-1|title=Burnley U18s 3 Sheffield Wednesday U18s 1|website=Burnley Football Club}}
In April 2019, Cropper signed his first professional contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/cropper-signs-pro-deal|title=Cropper Signs Pro Deal|website=Burnley Football Club}} On 10 January 2020, Cropper joined Chesterfield on loan for the remainder of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/striker-turned-defender-and-long-throw-specialist-everything-you-need-know-about-chesterfields-new-signing-jordan-cropper-premier-league-burnley-1361487|title=Striker-turned-defender and long-throw specialist: Everything you need to know about Chesterfield's new signing Jordan Cropper from Premier League Burnley|website=www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/cropper-joins-the-spireites|title=Cropper Joins The Spireites|website=Burnley Football Club}}
On 20 August 2020, Chesterfield announced they had re-signed Cropper on a season-long loan,{{Cite web|url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/im-happy-be-back-jordan-cropper-rejoins-chesterfield-season-loan-burnley-2948658|title="I'm happy to be back" - Jordan Cropper rejoins Chesterfield on season loan from Burnley|website=www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk}}
although Burnley recalled him on 13 January 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/burnley-recall-jordan-cropper-loan-spell-chesterfield-3094363|title=Burnley recall Jordan Cropper from loan spell at Chesterfield|website=www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk}}
Cropper underwent surgery on his hamstring, that was initially expected to see him miss 4 to 5 months but ended up being absent for 9 months.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/cropper-burnley-injury-grimsby-town-6866172|title=Jordan Cropper opens up on injury hell as Grimsby Town debutant hits milestone|newspaper=Grimsbylive |date=March 28, 2022|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk}} At the end of the 2020–21 season, Cropper was released by Burnley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/new-deals-for-under-23s|title=New Deals For Under-23s|website=Burnley Football Club}}
=Grimsby Town=
On 25 March 2022, following a trial at the club Cropper joined National League side Grimsby Town on an initial two-month deal until the end of the season. Manager Paul Hurst mentioned "He is a player that has had an injury and is the reason why he has been in on trial. He hasn't managed to secure something at other clubs but I am happy to have him on board."{{Cite web|url=https://gtfc.co.uk/cropper-signs-until-end-of-the-season/|title=Cropper Signs Until End Of The Season - Grimsby Town Football Club|date=March 25, 2022|website=gtfc.co.uk}}
Following an injury to regular right-back Michee Efete, Cropper had an extended run in the first team during the final months of the season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/grimsby-town-fitness-boost-rotation-6954349|title=Grimsby Town handed injury boost as Paul Hurst hints at squad rotation|newspaper=Grimsbylive |date=April 14, 2022|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk}} On 28 May, Grimsby defeated Wrexham 4-5 away from home in the play-off semi final. A long throw in by Cropper connected with Luke Waterfall who headed home the winner in the 119th minute after the game had gone to extra time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61560268|title=Grimsby end Wrexham's play-off dreams in thriller|work=BBC Sport }} In the final at the London Stadium, Cropper again assisted the winner in extra time with another long throw in that resulted in Jordan Maguire-Drew scoring at the back post to send Grimsby back to the Football League at the first time of asking.{{Cite news|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/grimsby-town-promoted-league-two-7168076|title=Grimsby Town complete remarkable fairytale as Solihull comeback earns promotion|newspaper=Grimsbylive |date=June 5, 2022|via=www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk}} Cropper signed a new one-year contract with the Mariners ahead of their first season back in the Football League.{{Cite web|url=https://gtfc.co.uk/cropper-stays/|title=Cropper Stays! - Grimsby Town Football Club|date=June 28, 2022|website=gtfc.co.uk}}
In March 2023, he joined Barnet on loan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barnetfc.com/jordan-cropper-signs-for-the-bees/|title=Jordan Cropper signs for the Bees|date=March 11, 2023|website=barnetfc.com}} For a second consecutive season Cropper was involved in the National League play-offs as he was part of the Barnet side that was defeated 2-1 by Boreham Wood.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65439157 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
On 9 May 2023, it was announced that Cropper would not be retained for the 2023–24 season and would be leaving the club when his contract expires on 30 June.https://gtfc.co.uk/mariners-retained-list-confirmed/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
=Barnet=
On 28 October 2023, Cropper re-signed for Barnet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barnetfc.com/jordan-cropper-signs-for-barnet-fc|title=Jordan Cropper signs for the Bees|date=October 28, 2023|website=barnetfc.com}}, for whom he won the National League title with in the 2024/25 season. Including his loan spell, Cropper played 75 times for the Bees.
= Boston United =
Cropper joined Boston United for the 2025-26 season.https://www.bostonunited.co.uk/news/promotionwinning-cropper-signs-for-the-pilgrims-2920249.html
Style of play
Cropper specialises at long throw ins which played a big part of Grimsby's promotion back to the Football League in 2022.{{cite news | url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-hurst-shows-faith-new-7266181 | title=Paul Hurst hands new deal to Grimsby Town play-off hero Jordan Cropper | newspaper=Grimsbylive | date=28 June 2022 }}
Career statistics
{{updated|end of 2024-25 season}}
| 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 | EFL Cup ! colspan=2 | Other ! colspan=2 | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
! Apps | Goals
! Apps | Goals
! Apps | Goals
! Apps | Goals
! Apps | Goals | ||||
| rowspan="1"|Ilkeston
|2016–17https://uk.soccerway.com/players/jordan-cropper/529541/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} |NPL Premier Division |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| rowspan="1"|Chesterfield (loan)
|8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
| rowspan="1"|Chesterfield (loan)
|National League |12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| rowspan="3"|Grimsby Town
|National League |8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|Appearances in National League playoffs}} | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2022–23
|2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| colspan=2|Total
!10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| rowspan="1"|Barnet (loan)
|National League |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League playoffs}} | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Barnet
|National League |25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Middlesex Senior Cup, one appearance in National League playoffs}} | 0 | 33 | 0 | |
| 2024–25
|National League |29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances in FA Trophy}} | 0 | 33 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!54 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 66 | 0 |
| colspan=3|Career total
!92||3||6||0||2||0||14||0||114||3 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Grimsby Town
- National League play-offs: 2022{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
Barnet
- National League: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2111 |title=National League: 2024/25: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=5 May 2025}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=344&teamTabs=stats&season_id=157 |title=Barnet: Squad details: 2024/25 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=5 May 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Boston United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cropper, Jordan}}
Category:Footballers from Nottingham
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Ilkeston F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players
Category:Boston United F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players