Frank O'Farrell bought full-back Jopling from Aldershot in 1970 when the South Shields-born player showed plenty of promising signs as an exuberant teenager with the 'Shots.
He was seen as a player for the future but Jopling never got a run in the team to showcase his abilities, eventually leaving the Foxes four years later for a return to his former club having made just three Football League appearances for the club.
His progress was perhaps hindered by a change of manager when Jimmy Bloomfield came in for O'Farrell and didn't give the defender a chance to impress over the course of the next three frustrating seasons.
A loan move to Torquay United gave Jopling first-team opportunities but he eventually settled on a move back to Aldeshot, where he went on to make 421 league and cup appearances during his two spells.