Frank Kopel
Encyclopedia
Frank Kopel is a Scottish
former footballer who played as a left back. Born in Falkirk
, he had an 18-year professional football career, during which he played for Manchester United
, Blackburn Rovers
, Dundee United
and Arbroath
. He then went into coaching, becoming assistant manager at Arbroath and Forfar Athletic
with a spell on the Dundee United coaching staff in between.
and was a Scottish schoolboy international before signing for Manchester United
as a schoolboy in 1964. He turned professional in 1966 and made his debut as a substitute in a 2–2 draw at home to Burnley
on 9 September 1967. He made his full debut – and his only other appearance for the 1967–68 season – on 28 October 1967, playing at right-back in a 3–1 defeat away to Nottingham Forest
. Kopel made a further 10 appearances for Manchester United during the 1968–69 season, including his European debut against Anderlecht
on 27 November 1968, but he spent most of the season as a back-up to the club's first-choice full-backs, Shay Brennan
and Tony Dunne
. He was sold to Blackburn Rovers
for £25,000 in March 1969, nearly two months after his final appearance for United, a 1–1 draw with Watford
in the FA Cup
. Kopel had a poor record during his time at Manchester United; out of his 12 appearances, they only won two matches and lost five.
Kopel played for Blackburn for two years, but was released in 1971, signing for Dundee United
in early 1972. Kopel would remain at Tannadice
for the next ten years, playing nearly 400 first team games, and picking up two League Cup
and two Scottish Cup
runners-up medals during his time with the Terrors. In 1982, he moved to Arbroath
as player/coach, before retiring from playing in 1984. He returned to United to coach and his son, Scott
, was an apprentice at Tannadice before making a career at Chesterfield
, Brechin City
and Forfar Athletic
. Kopel has the honour of having a Dundee United Supporters Club named after him, Frank Kopel's Travelling Shindig. As of 2011, he is one of only two to have played in the first teams of both Manchester United and Dundee United, the other player being Ralph Milne.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former footballer who played as a left back. Born in Falkirk
Falkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
, he had an 18-year professional football career, during which he played for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
and Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
. He then went into coaching, becoming assistant manager at Arbroath and Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
with a spell on the Dundee United coaching staff in between.
Career
Kopel was born in FalkirkFalkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
and was a Scottish schoolboy international before signing for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
as a schoolboy in 1964. He turned professional in 1966 and made his debut as a substitute in a 2–2 draw at home to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on 9 September 1967. He made his full debut – and his only other appearance for the 1967–68 season – on 28 October 1967, playing at right-back in a 3–1 defeat away 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...
. Kopel made a further 10 appearances for Manchester United during the 1968–69 season, including his European debut against Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
on 27 November 1968, but he spent most of the season as a back-up to the club's first-choice full-backs, Shay Brennan
Shay Brennan
Seamus Anthony "Shay" Brennan was an English-born Irish footballer in the 1960s. He was a full back for Manchester United....
and Tony Dunne
Tony Dunne
Anthony Peter Dunne , Irish football player who regularly appeared at left-back. He had 33 caps for the Republic of Ireland, playing for the national team in 1962–1975. He was Irish Footballer of the Year in 1969....
. He was sold to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
for £25,000 in March 1969, nearly two months after his final appearance for United, a 1–1 draw with Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. Kopel had a poor record during his time at Manchester United; out of his 12 appearances, they only won two matches and lost five.
Kopel played for Blackburn for two years, but was released in 1971, signing for Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
in early 1972. Kopel would remain at Tannadice
Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...
for the next ten years, playing nearly 400 first team games, and picking up two League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
and two Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
runners-up medals during his time with the Terrors. In 1982, he moved to Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
as player/coach, before retiring from playing in 1984. He returned to United to coach and his son, Scott
Scott Kopel
Scott Kopel is a Scottish footballer who plays as a defender.Kopel, son of former Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers and Dundee United player Frank, began his career with Dundee United but made just one appearance, playing as a right-back in the 2-2 draw at home to Icelandic side FH in the...
, was an apprentice at Tannadice before making a career at Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, Brechin City
Brechin City F.C.
Brechin City Football Club is a Scottish football team based in Brechin, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the Second Division in the 2010–11 season...
and Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
. Kopel has the honour of having a Dundee United Supporters Club named after him, Frank Kopel's Travelling Shindig. As of 2011, he is one of only two to have played in the first teams of both Manchester United and Dundee United, the other player being Ralph Milne.
Honours
Dundee United- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(2): 1979–801979-80 in Scottish footballThe 1979–80 season was the 83rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: AberdeenRelegated: Dundee, Hibernian-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hearts, Airdrieonians...
, 1980–811980-81 in Scottish footballThe 1980-81 season was the 84th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: CelticRelegated: Kilmarnock, Hearts-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Hibernian, Dundee...