Taddy salute Europa League graduate

11 Dec 2017 By David Watters

EVO-STIK League Tadcaster Albion were taking more than a passing interest in Monday's Europa League draw after former player Jamie Hopcutt and Östersunds were paired with Arsenal in the last 32.

The Brewers had already congratulated the midfielder earlier this season when his Swedish club qualified for the group stages by beating Greece's PAOK 2-0 in the final qualifying round after dispatching Turkish giants Galatasaray in Istanbul.

Proud officials at the at i2i Stadium took to social media again following Monday lunchtime's draw in Switzerland, @TadcasterAlbion tweeting: "Brilliant tie for @ofk_1996 and former Taddy man @hoppy07 drawing Arsenal in the Last 16 of the #EuropaLeague."

A key figure in a side that has risen from the fourth tier of Swedish football under the guidance of Englishman and ex-Bootham Crescent coach Graham Potter, former Minstermen youth team star Hopcutt was at Whitby Town on loan before being released by the National League club and turning out for Ossett Town during the 2010-11 campaign.

He joined the then Northern Counties East League Brewers for the following season before heading to Sweden in 2012 via the League Football Education player placement programme.

Former Southampton and York defender Potter, 42, has taken Östersunds from Sweden's fourth division to the top-ranked Allsvenskan in six years to earn comparisons with Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson who managed in Scandanavia in his formative years before returning to England.

Images courtesy of www.lfe.org.uk

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