William Cope (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William Arthur Cope was an English
footballer who played as a full-back
. He played 287 league games in the Football League
over a nineteen year professional career.
He joined Burslem Port Vale
in August 1904, and spent three seasons with the club, moving on to Stoke
after Port Vale resigned from the Football League. Stoke also resigned from the league in 1908, and he moved on to Oldham Athletic
. He spent six years with the club, helping the club win promotion out of the Second Division
in 1909–10, and to compete for the First Division
title. He switched to West Ham United
in 1914, and spent eight years with the club, helping the club to the wartime London Combination title in 1916–17. During this time West Ham moved from the Southern League
to the the Football League. He served the club as captain in 1921–22. He ended his career at Wrexham at the end of the 1922–23 campaign.
Burslem Port Vale
from Mount Pleasant in August 1904. He played 25 games in 1904–05
, scoring once in a 3–3 with Lincoln City
at Sincil Bank
. The "Valeites" faired poorly, and finished third-from-bottom in the Football League
, ahead of only Burton United
and Doncaster Rovers
. Cope was a key part of the club's 1905–06
campaign, playing 38 games alongside defensive partner James Hamilton
. He played seventeen games in 1906–07
, but left the Athletic Ground
after the club resigned from the league. In his three seasons at the club he made 80 appearances (73 in the league) and scored one league goal.
He signed with nearby
Stoke
, also of the second Division, and played 31 league and cup games in 1907–08. He was again without a club at the end of the season, as Stoke also resigned from the league due to financial difficulties.
He left the Potteries
and moved on to Oldham Athletic
. The "Latics" finished sixth in 1908–09, and finished as runners-up in 1909–10 (one point behind champions Manchester City
), thereby winning promotion to the First Division
. Oldham pushed on in 1910–11, and posted a seventh place finish. However they struggled in 1911–12, surviving relegation by finishing just one point ahead of Preston North End
. Athletic then finished ninth in 1912–13 and fourth in 1913–14. He had played 62 league games for the club, scoring one goal.
Cope signed with West Ham United
as World War I
began. The "Hammers" finished fourth in the Southern Football League
in 1914–15
, and Cope made 33 appearances. He was with West Ham for the duration of the war, and made 111 wartime appearances; the club won the London Combination in 1916–17 and were elected to the Football League in 1919. West Ham posted a seventh place finish in 1919–20 and a fifth place finish in 1920–21. Cope was appointed as club captain for the 1921–22 season, and led the "Hammers" to a fourth place finish. He left the club at the end of the season; over the course of the three Football League campaigns he made 114 appearances.
Cope joined Third Division North
club Wrexham for the 1922–23 season. Making thirteen appearances, he retired at the end of the campaign at the age of 38.
with West Ham United
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who played as a full-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He played 287 league games in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
over a nineteen year professional career.
He joined Burslem Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in August 1904, and spent three seasons with the club, moving on to Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
after Port Vale resigned from the Football League. Stoke also resigned from the league in 1908, and he moved on to Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. He spent six years with the club, helping the club win promotion out of the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 1909–10, and to compete for the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
title. He switched to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in 1914, and spent eight years with the club, helping the club to the wartime London Combination title in 1916–17. During this time West Ham moved from the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
to the the Football League. He served the club as captain in 1921–22. He ended his career at Wrexham at the end of the 1922–23 campaign.
Playing career
Cope joined Second DivisionFootball League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Burslem Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
from Mount Pleasant in August 1904. He played 25 games in 1904–05
1904–05 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1904–05 season was Burslem Port Vale's seventh consecutive season of football in the Football League. A poor season, the club had to apply for re-election...
, scoring once in a 3–3 with Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
at Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
. The "Valeites" faired poorly, and finished third-from-bottom in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, ahead of only Burton United
Burton United F.C.
Burton United Football Club was an English football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire that played in The Football League between 1901 and 1907, before folding in 1910.-History:...
and Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
. Cope was a key part of the club's 1905–06
1905–06 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1905–06 season was Burslem Port Vale's eighth consecutive season of football in the Football League. It was another season spent struggling at the lower end of the league....
campaign, playing 38 games alongside defensive partner James Hamilton
James Hamilton (footballer)
James Hamilton was an English footballer.-Playing career:Hamilton joined Burslem Port Vale from Burslem Town in March 1903, he was a regular in the side but was forced to leave after the club went into liquidation in 1907. He had played 107 games for Vale and moved on to Oldham...
. He played seventeen games in 1906–07
1906–07 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1906–07 season was Burslem Port Vale's ninth consecutive season of football in the Football League. The club resigned from the league on 14 June 1907....
, but left the Athletic Ground
Athletic Ground (Cobridge)
The Athletic Ground was a football stadium, located in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent and home to Port Vale for 27 years, hosting twelve Football League seasons....
after the club resigned from the league. In his three seasons at the club he made 80 appearances (73 in the league) and scored one league goal.
He signed with nearby
Potteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
Stoke
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, also of the second Division, and played 31 league and cup games in 1907–08. He was again without a club at the end of the season, as Stoke also resigned from the league due to financial difficulties.
He left the Potteries
The Potteries Urban Area
The Potteries Urban Area is a conurbation in North Staffordshire in the West Midlands region of England.It includes the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and the towns of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove....
and moved on to Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. The "Latics" finished sixth in 1908–09, and finished as runners-up in 1909–10 (one point behind champions Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
), thereby winning promotion to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. Oldham pushed on in 1910–11, and posted a seventh place finish. However they struggled in 1911–12, surviving relegation by finishing just one point ahead of Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. Athletic then finished ninth in 1912–13 and fourth in 1913–14. He had played 62 league games for the club, scoring one goal.
Cope signed with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
as World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
began. The "Hammers" finished fourth in the Southern Football League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
in 1914–15
1914–15 Southern Football League
The 1914–15 Southern Football League season saw Watford win Division One and Stoke win Division Two. Stoke were the only club to apply for election to the Football League and were successful. However, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914, thus entering World War I. The...
, and Cope made 33 appearances. He was with West Ham for the duration of the war, and made 111 wartime appearances; the club won the London Combination in 1916–17 and were elected to the Football League in 1919. West Ham posted a seventh place finish in 1919–20 and a fifth place finish in 1920–21. Cope was appointed as club captain for the 1921–22 season, and led the "Hammers" to a fourth place finish. He left the club at the end of the season; over the course of the three Football League campaigns he made 114 appearances.
Cope joined Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
club Wrexham for the 1922–23 season. Making thirteen appearances, he retired at the end of the campaign at the age of 38.
Honours
with Oldham Athletic- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
runner-up: 1909–10
with West Ham United
- London Combination winner: 1916–17