Colin Cooper
Encyclopedia
Colin Terence Cooper is an English former footballer
, who spent most of his career at Middlesbrough
and Nottingham Forest
. Cooper is part of the Middlesbrough coaching staff after leaving his role of assistant manager at Bradford City.
in 1986.
In the summer of 1991, he was transferred to Division Two side (renamed Division One and then the Football League Championship
) Millwall
for the sum of £300,000 spending two successful seasons at The Den.
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.
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 just hours after their victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup. In 2003-04, he spent some time on loan with Sunderland
.
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.
coaching staff, as the Reserve team coach. Following Steve Round
's departure from the club in December 2006, Cooper was promoted to a more active role with the First team. Following the departure of Malcolm Crosby
on 17 June 2009, Cooper was promoted to assistant manager at Middlesbrough. On 22 October 2009, following the departure of manager Gareth Southgate
, Cooper was appointed caretaker manager at Middlesbrough. This position lasted just four days as Gordon Strachan
was announced as the new Manager on 26 October. As of 3 May 2010, Cooper was relieved of all duties at Middlesbrough by Strachan.
In March 2011, Cooper was appointed as assistant to interim manager Peter Jackson at League Two
side Bradford City
. Jackson was subsequently appointed full-time manager and after he resigned on 25 August 2011 Cooper took over as caretaker manager, winning his first game 4–2 against Barnet
. Phil Parkinson
was appointed as Jackson's permanent successor, and on 8 September 2011, Cooper left Bradford to rejoin Middlesbrough and take up a coaching role.
, 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.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, who spent most of his career at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
and Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. Cooper is part of the Middlesbrough coaching staff after leaving his role of assistant manager at Bradford City.
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 liquidationLiquidation
In law, liquidation is the process by which a company is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. Liquidation is also sometimes referred to as winding-up or dissolution, although dissolution technically refers to the last stage of liquidation...
in 1986.
In the summer of 1991, he was transferred to Division Two side (renamed Division One and then the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
) Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
for the sum of £300,000 spending two successful seasons at The Den.
After impressing several big name clubs, he decided to move to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
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
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
caps in 1995.
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
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
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 just hours after their victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup. In 2003-04, he spent some time on loan with Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
.
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
2006 UEFA Cup Final
The 2006 UEFA Cup Final was a football match that took place at Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, on 10 May 2006. The match was contested by Middlesbrough of England and Sevilla of Spain. Sevilla won the UEFA Cup with a 4–0 win.-Match details:...
. However he made just one appearance all campaign, coming on as a late substitute on the last day of the season against Fulham.
Coaching
After he retired from playing, in June 2006, Cooper was officially given a job with the MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
coaching staff, as the Reserve team coach. Following Steve Round
Steve Round
Steve Round is an English football coach and ex-player, currently on the coaching staff of Everton.-Career:...
's departure from the club in December 2006, Cooper was promoted to a more active role with the First team. Following the departure of Malcolm Crosby
Malcolm Crosby
Malcolm Crosby is an English former footballer and manager.-Playing career:Born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, Crosby played his football for Aldershot, making 258 appearances between 1971 and 1980 and netting 21 goals. In an exchange deal involving Ian MacDonald he moved to York City and was a...
on 17 June 2009, Cooper was promoted to assistant manager at Middlesbrough. On 22 October 2009, following the departure of manager Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate in Crawley, West Sussex is a retired English footballer and ex-manager. He is known as the "Penalty Misser of '96." He served as manager of Middlesbrough from June 2006, until he was dismissed in October 2009...
, Cooper was appointed caretaker manager at Middlesbrough. This position lasted just four days as Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
was announced as the new Manager on 26 October. As of 3 May 2010, Cooper was relieved of all duties at Middlesbrough by Strachan.
In March 2011, Cooper was appointed as assistant to interim manager Peter Jackson at League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. Jackson was subsequently appointed full-time manager and after he resigned on 25 August 2011 Cooper took over as caretaker manager, winning his first game 4–2 against Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
. Phil Parkinson
Phil Parkinson
Philip John "Phil" Parkinson is an English football manager and former player who currently manages Bradford City.-Playing career:...
was appointed as Jackson's permanent successor, and on 8 September 2011, Cooper left Bradford to rejoin Middlesbrough and take up a coaching role.
Media work
Cooper was a regular guest on the ITV late night football review programme Soccer NightSoccer Night
Soccer Night was a regional television football programme on independent television in United Kingdom between the 1990s and 2008.-History:...
, 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
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
), come to the studio and discuss recent footballing events.
Statistics
Statistics for league appearances only| Club | Season | Games | Goals | Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
1984-85 | 0 | 0 | Division 2 |
| 1985-86 | 11 | 0 | Division 2 | |
| 1986-87 | 46 | 0 | Division 3 | |
| 1987-88 | 43 | 2 | Division 2 | |
| 1988-89 | 35 | 2 | Division 1 | |
| 1989-90 | 21 | 2 | Division 2 | |
| 1990-91 | 32 | 0 | Division 2 | |
| Millwall Millwall F.C. Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the... |
1991-92 | 36 | 2 | Division 2 |
| 1992-93 | 41 | 4 | Division 1 | |
| Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
1993-94 | 37 | 7 | Division 1 |
| 1994-95 | 35 | 1 | Premier League | |
| 1995-96 | 37 | 5 | Premier League | |
| 1996-97 | 36 | 2 | Premier League | |
| 1997-98 | 35 | 5 | Division 1 | |
| Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
1998-99 | 32 | 1 | Premier League |
| 1999–2000 | 26 | 0 | Premier League | |
| 2000-01 | 27 | 1 | Premier League | |
| 2001-02 | 18 | 2 | Premier League | |
| 2002-03 | 20 | 0 | Premier League | |
| 2003-04 | 19 | 0 | Premier League | |
| Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
2003-04 | 3 | 0 | Division 1 (on loan) |
| Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
2004-05 | 15 | 0 | Premier League |
| 2005-06 | 1 | 0 | Premier League | |
| Total | 606 | 37 |
Honours
- Zenith Data Systems CupFull Members CupThe Full Members Cup was an association football cup competition held in English football from 1985 to 1992. It was also known under its sponsored names of the Simod Cup from 1987 to 1989 and the Zenith Data Systems Cup from 1989 to 1992....
: Runner up 1989/90 with MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...