Jopling worked on South Shields shipyards, playing football at a junior level for Harton and Westoe F.C.

In September 1970, Second Division Leicester City signed the player, in a deal which saw Murray Brodie and Jimmy Burt moving to Aldershot plus a reported fee of £30,000.

He had a short loan spell at Torquay United, before returning to Aldershot in March 1974.

He is still living in the Aldershot area, and was former landlord of the Golden Lion public house on the High Street.

He is a frequent guest to the new Aldershot Town club, who were formed in 1992 in the aftermath of the original side going out of business.