Scunthorpe accepted a £250,000 offer for Hope, who signed a four-year contract for Gillingham. Hope made his debut in the club's first ever game in the First Division, a 3–1 home defeat to Stockport County, in August 2000, made 145 consecutive appearances and was rewarded with a new three-year contract in March 2003. He went on to play in 176 successive games before finally missing a game through suspension. Following the departure of ex-club captain Paul Smith, Hope was appointed the club captain for the Gills for their first season back in League One in the 2005–06 season. He missed much of the 2005–06 season due to injury, and was released by manager Ronnie Jepson at the end of the season having made over 250 league and cup appearances for Gillingham since joining from Scunthorpe. Hope signed a two-year deal with Conference National club Rushden & Diamonds in July 2006. Rushden manager Paul Hart described him as "... a gutsy battler who shows great leadership, his integrity and honesty is a terrific example, and he is the perfect role model for our younger players. His experience will be of great benefit", and named him team captain for the 2006–07 season. He was released by Rushden & Diamonds at the end of the 2007–08 season owing to financial constraints, and turned down a move to Dover Athletic, managed by former Gillingham teammate Andy Hessenthaler, as he was unable to relocate to Kent. He joined Conference North club Corby Town in June 2009 for the 2009–10 season. Hope joined Southern Football League Division One Central side St Neots Town in summer 2011. On 21 July 2012, Hope joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds. During the 2012-13 league campaign, he made 30 appearances for the club, scoring four goals. Personal life Hope's father, John, played League football as a goalkeeper, and his younger brother Richard played as a defender. Following his retirement from playing football professionally, Chris is now a working at Kimbolton School in Cambridgeshire as a sports coach. Playing statistics (to end of 2008–09 season) Honours Individual PFA Team of the Year: 1998–99 Third Division References External links Playfair Football Annuals 1994-95 to 2006-07 1972 births Living people Footballers from Sheffield English footballers Association football defenders Darlington F.C. players Nottingham Forest F.C. players Scunthorpe United F.C. players Gillingham F.C. players Rushden & Diamonds F.C. players Corby Town F.C. players St Neots Town