Colin Cooper
Personal information
Full name Colin Terence Cooper
Date of birth (1967-02-28) 28 February 1967 (age 56)[1]
Place of birth Durham, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1991 Middlesbrough 188 (6)
1991–1993 Millwall 77 (6)
1993–1998 Nottingham Forest 180 (20)
1998–2006 Middlesbrough 158 (4)
2004 → Sunderland (loan) 3 (0)
Total 606 (36)
International career
1988–1989 England U21 8 (0)
1995 England 2 (0)
Managerial career
2009 Middlesbrough (caretaker)
2011 Bradford City (caretaker)
2013–2014 Hartlepool United
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Colin Terence Cooper (born 28 February 1967) is an English football manager and former professional footballer.

As a player, he was a defender who notably played in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. He played over 500 league appearances combined for both clubs. He also played in the Football League for both Millwall and Sunderland. He was capped twice by England, having previously earned eight games at U21 level.

Following retirement, he moved into coaching and worked in the Middlesbrough academy, later progressing into the first team before taking charge on a temporary basis in 2009. He later moving to Bradford City as assistant manager and then in 2013 becoming manager of Hartlepool United. In 2016 he joined the coaching staff of the England U21 setup under former team mate Gareth Southgate.

Playing career

He played as a centre back, but was equally useful at full-back. He spent the first seven years of his professional career contracted to Middlesbrough, making 188 league appearances and scoring six league goals in the process. During this time, he helped Middlesbrough through liquidation in 1986.[3]

In the summer of 1991, he was transferred to Division Two side Millwall for the sum of £300,000 spending two successful seasons at The Den.[4]

After impressing several big name clubs, he decided to move to Nottingham Forest in 1993 for £1,700,000. It was at Forest where Colin arguably played the best football of his career, his form earning him two England caps in 1995 against Sweden and Brazil.[5]

After experiencing the joys of two promotions and the heart-break of a relegation, "Super Coops" was re-purchased by his first club, Middlesbrough, in a £2,500,000 deal. Many people questioned the signing of the stalwart from Nottingham Forest, but Colin proved to many people that he was more than capable of playing Premier League football. He maintained a consistent level of play throughout the seven years that he spent with Middlesbrough, and could always be relied upon to do a job. He almost gave up the game in 2002 after his son, Finlay, died in an accident at the family home[6] just hours after their victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup.[7] In 2003–04, he spent some time on loan with Sunderland. Cooper was part of Middlesbrough's 2004 League Cup-winning team. Despite not making the squad for the final[8] he appeared in the earlier rounds.[9]

In 2005, Cooper was awarded a one-year contract extension, which saw him play at the age of 39. His final season with Middlesbrough, 2005–06, saw Boro reach the 2006 UEFA Cup Final. However, he made just one appearance all campaign, coming on as a late substitute on the last day of the season against Fulham.[10]

International career

Cooper made his England international debut in a 3–3 draw against Sweden.[11] He gained two caps for the England national team and made eight caps for the Under-21 side where he finished runners-up with the U21s in the 1988 Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon tournament.

Managerial career

After he retired from playing, in June 2006, Cooper was officially given a job with the Middlesbrough coaching staff, as the Reserve team coach.[12] Following Steve Round's departure from the club in December 2006, Cooper was promoted to a more active role with the first team.[13] Following the departure of Malcolm Crosby on 17 June 2009,[14] Cooper was promoted to assistant manager at Middlesbrough.[15] On 22 October 2009, following the departure of manager Gareth Southgate, Cooper was appointed caretaker manager at Middlesbrough.[16] However, he was only employed in this position for four days, as Gordon Strachan was announced as the new manager on 26 October.[17] Cooper's solitary match in charge was a 2–2 draw with Preston North End on 24 October 2009.[18] In May 2010, Cooper was relieved of all duties at Middlesbrough by Strachan.[19]

On 9 March 2011, Cooper was appointed as assistant to interim manager Peter Jackson at League Two side Bradford City.[20][21] Jackson was subsequently appointed full-time manager on 25 May 2011,[22] but he resigned on 25 August 2011,[23] resulting in Cooper taking over as caretaker manager.[24] winning his first game 4–2 against Barnet. Phil Parkinson was appointed as Jackson's permanent successor,[25] and on 8 September 2011, Cooper left Bradford to rejoin Middlesbrough and take up a coaching role with Middlesbrough's under-18 side.[26]

On 24 May 2013, he became manager at Football League Two side Hartlepool United, replacing John Hughes, who had been sacked the previous month.[27] He named fellow ex-Middlesbrough player Craig Hignett as his assistant manager.[27] After winning four out of five league games in October, Cooper won the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month Award.[28]

Cooper resigned as Hartlepool United manager on 4 October 2014, after a 3–0 home defeat by Carlisle United, which left the club at the bottom of the League Two table.[29]

In April 2016, Cooper joined Gareth Southgate's coaching staff at the England U21's.[30]

Media work

Cooper was a regular guest on the ITV late night football review programme Soccer Night, which was hosted by Roger Tames. During this programme, three legendary figures, representing one of each of the North-East's top three clubs (Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Newcastle United), come to the studio and discuss recent footballing events.

Personal life

In 2006, Colin and his wife Julie, formed the charity the Finlay Cooper Fund, named after his son who died in a tragic accident in 2002, which raises money for children's causes.[31] In 2013, Colin and 12 others (which included Craig Hignett and Jeff Stelling) climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity;[32] the climb raised £100,000.[33]

Career statistics

Playing career

Statistics for league appearances only

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League
Division Apps Goals
Middlesbrough 1984–85 Division 2 0 0
1985–86 Division 2 11 0
1986–87 Division 3 46 0
1987–88 Division 2 43 2
1988–89 Division 1 35 2
1989–90 Division 2 21 2
1990–91 Division 2 32 0
Total 188 6
Millwall 1991–92 Division 2 36 2
1992–93 Division 1 41 4
Total 77 6
Nottingham Forest 1993–94 Division 1 37 7
1994–95 Premier League 35 1
1995–96 Premier League 37 5
1996–97 Premier League 36 2
1997–98 Division 1 35 5
Total 180 20
Middlesbrough 1998–99 Premier League 32 1
1999–2000 Premier League 26 0
2000–01 Premier League 27 1
2001–02 Premier League 18 2
2002–03 Premier League 20 0
2003–04 Premier League 19 0
2004–05 Premier League 15 0
2005–06 Premier League 1 0
Total 158 4
Sunderland (on loan) 2003–04 Division 1 3 0
Career total 606 36

Managerial career

As of 4 October 2014[34]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Middlesbrough (caretaker) 20 October 2009 26 October 2009 2 1 1 0 050.0
Bradford City (caretaker) 25 August 2011 29 August 2011 1 1 0 0 100.0
Hartlepool United 24 May 2013 4 October 2014 65 19 14 32 029.2
Total 68 21 15 32 030.9

Honours

Player

Middlesbrough

Nottingham Forest

England U21s

Individual

Manager

Individual

References

  1. ^ "England Players - Colin Cooper".
  2. ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 242. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. ^ "Heroes from 1986 to attend Boro play". Teesside University. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  4. ^ "A Foot In Both Camps: Millwall". Middlesbrough FC Official Site. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  5. ^ "1068 Colin Terrence Cooper (1995)". englandstats.com. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  6. ^ Akbar, Arifa (28 January 2002). "Son of footballer dies choking on toy". The Independent. London. Retrieved 12 March 2010.[dead link]
  7. ^ "Boro sink Man Utd". BBC. 26 January 2002. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  8. ^ "Boro lift Carling Cup". BBC Sport. 29 February 2004.
  9. ^ "Games played by Colin Cooper in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Fulham 1–0 Middlesbrough". BBC. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  11. ^ "Colin Cooper". England Football Online.
  12. ^ "Southgate shuffles coaching staff". BBC Sport. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Boro promotion for Cooper". Metro. 15 December 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  14. ^ Bailey, Richard (17 June 2009). "Crosby leaves Boro". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Southgate shuffles coaching staff". BBC Sport. 25 June 2006. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  16. ^ Taylor, Louise (22 October 2009). "Colin Cooper to lead Boro at Preston but Gordon Strachan waits in the wings". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  17. ^ "Strachan named Middlesbrough boss". BBC Sport. 26 October 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  18. ^ "Preston 2–2 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  19. ^ "Middlesbrough roles for Gary McAllister and Jim Blyth". BBC Sport. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  20. ^ "Bradford City appoint Colin Cooper as assistant manager". BBC Sport. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  21. ^ Parker, Simon (10 March 2011). "Bradford City No 2 Cooper made to feel like one of the family at Valley Parade". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  22. ^ Parker, Simon (25 May 2011). "Finally, Jackson appointed Bradford City manager". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  23. ^ "Bradford City manager Peter Jackson resigns". BBC Sport. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  24. ^ "Cooper to take charge on Saturday". Bradford City Football Club official website. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  25. ^ "Phil Parkinson appointed Bradford City manager". BBC Sport. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  26. ^ "Colin Cooper set for Middlesbrough after Bradford exit". BBC Sport. 8 September 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  27. ^ a b "Hartlepool United appoint Colin Cooper as new boss". BBC Sport. 24 May 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  28. ^ "Hartlepool United's Colin Cooper and Luke James win manager and player of the month - Hartlepool Mail". Hartlepool Mail. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  29. ^ "Hartlepool United: Colin Cooper resigns as manager". BBC Sport. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  30. ^ "FA strengthens development coaching with new appointments". The FA. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  31. ^ "About us". Finlay Cooper Fund. Archived from the original on 16 March 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  32. ^ "Charity team conquer Kilimanjaro". ITV News. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  33. ^ "Hartlepool United manager's Kilimanjaro trek raises £100,000 for charity". Hartlepool Mail. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  34. ^ "Colin Cooper". Soccerbase. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  35. ^ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 149.
  36. ^ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 150.
  37. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1998). The 1998–99 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 352. ISBN 978-1-85291-588-9.
  38. ^ "Sky Bet League Two: Hartlepool's Colin Cooper and Luke James win manager and player awards". Sky Sports. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
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