Paul Cooper (footballer, born 1953)

Paul Cooper
Personal information
Full namePaul David Cooper
Date of birth21 December 1953
Place of birthBrierley Hill, England
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Youth career
Cannock Athletic
Sutton Coldfield Town
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1971–1974Birmingham City17(0)
1974–1987Ipswich Town447(0)
1987–1989Leicester City56(0)
1989–1990Manchester City15(0)
1990–1991Stockport County22(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

with Ipswich Town
with Stockport County

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "City wait for diagnosis of Dibble's injury". The Times. 27 March 1989.
  2. James, Gary (2006). Manchester City - The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. p. pp. 444–5. ISBN 1-85983-512-0.