Terry Cooper (footballer, born 1944)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Terence Cooper | ||
| Date of birth | 12 July 1944 | ||
| Place of birth | Brotherton, Yorkshire, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Left back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1962–1966 | Leeds United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1962–1975 | Leeds United | 250 | (7) |
| 1975–1978 | Middlesbrough | 105 | (1) |
| 1978–1980 | Bristol City | 11 | (0) |
| 1980–1981 | Bristol Rovers | 50 | (0) |
| 1981–1982 | Doncaster Rovers | 20 | (0) |
| 1982–1984 | Bristol City | 60 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 1969–1974 | England | 20 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1980–1981 | Bristol Rovers | ||
| 1982–1988 | Bristol City | ||
| 1988–1991 | Exeter City | ||
| 1991–1993 | Birmingham City | ||
| 1994–1995 | Exeter City | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. |
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Terence "Terry" Cooper (born 12 July 1944) is an English former football player and manager born in Brotherton, West Riding of Yorkshire. He was a full-back in the Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s.
Cooper was not discovered as a young player in the conventional manner - he simply turned up at Leeds United one day with his football boots in a paper bag, asking for a trial. He was granted his wish and impressed enough to be offered an apprentice contract.
Initially a left winger, Cooper was converted to a defensive role by Leeds boss Don Revie on signing at the age of 17. He made gradual progress in the first team over the next six years until Revie decided to make him the permanent No.3 in 1966.
Cooper settled in thereafter earning a reputation as a full back of innovation, showing that the right levels of fitness, skill and an ability to cross the ball meant he could perform a devastating overlap down the left flank to support much feared winger Eddie Gray, this was so successful it became a trademark of Leeds play. He could also 'go inside', joining attacks centrally and scoring some important goals.
In 1968, Leeds won the League Cup against Arsenal at Wembley. A poor and occasionally high-tempered match was settled by Cooper's volley after a corner had been half-cleared, although Arsenal claimed their goalkeeper had been fouled by central defender Jack Charlton. Cooper subsequently featured in the team which won the Fairs Cup in the same season.
In 1969, Leeds won the League championship with Cooper making his contribution. Revie did not buy a reserve left back but instead used the utility player Paul Madeley to replace Cooper in the event of injury or suspension - an indication that Cooper was the finished article. This was further proved when he was given his debut for England by Alf Ramsey against France the same year, and England won 5-0 with Cooper putting on a classy individual showing.
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