Paul Cooper (footballer, born 1953)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul David Cooper | ||
| Date of birth | 21 December 1953 | ||
| Place of birth | Brierley Hill, England | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Cannock Athletic | |||
| – | Sutton Coldfield Town | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1971–1974 | Birmingham City | 17 | (0) |
| 1974–1987 | Ipswich Town | 447 | (0) |
| 1987–1989 | Leicester City | 56 | (0) |
| 1989–1990 | Manchester City | 15 | (0) |
| 1990–1991 | Stockport County | 22 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Paul David Cooper (born 21 December 1953) is an English former professional association footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and was on the winning side in the 1978 FA Cup Final and the 1981 UEFA Cup Final with Ipswich Town.
Playing career
Born in Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, Cooper started his professional career as an apprentice with Birmingham City. After playing 17 league matches for the club, in 1974 he moved to Ipswich Town, where he spent the majority of his career and represented the club more than 550 times in all competitions. He was renowned amongst the fans at Portman Road for his ability to save penalties. In 1979-80 he saved 8 out of 10.
He left the club in 1987, spending nearly two seasons at Leicester City. On the March 1989 transfer deadline day Cooper joined Manchester City for £20,000, to serve as backup to Andy Dibble.[1] Dibble suffered an injury in the very next match,[1] which led Cooper to make his debut for the club on 27 March 1989, against Stoke City.[2] During his time at City he played in the famous "Maine Road massacre" which saw the Blues thrash Manchester United 5-1 and was later described by United manager Alex Ferguson as his lowest point in football. Cooper finished his professional career with Stockport County, with whom he spent the 1990–91 season.
Paul and his wife now operate a golfing holidays company in Tenerife.
Honours
with Birmingham City
- (Football League Division 2) promotion 1972
- with Ipswich Town
- with Stockport County
- Football League Division Four promotion 1991
References
- Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 79. ISBN 978-1-85983-010-9.
- "Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database".
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