Leigh Cooper
Encyclopedia
Leigh Vernon Cooper is an English football manager and former player.
He progressed through the youth system at Plymouth Argyle
to make his first team debut in November 1979 against Colchester United
. Having established himself as a regular on the left side of midfield, he scored his first of 18 goals for the club in January 1981 against Millwall
. Cooper became one of the youngest players to captain a side in the Football League, at the age of 22, when he was given the armband by Johnny Hore
, the clubs manager and a former Argyle player. He helped the club reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup
in 1984, leading the side out against Watford
at Villa Park
, but his stray pass led to the winning goal for their opponents. He lost his place in the side the following year before being converted into a full back, and he was a key member of Dave Smith's team that gained promotion to the Second Division
in 1986.
Cooper was not far from making his 400th Argyle appearance when he broke his leg in the autumn of 1988, which effectively ended his career with the club. He returned to make two appearances in the 1989–90 season, taking his total tally to 387, before being released that summer. His next move was to Aldershot
, where he made 33 league appearances, before they were wound up at the High Court
in March 1992 and forced to resign from the Football League. He returned to the West Country
to play non-league football for Truro City
, where he would hang up his boots. Cooper is fondly remembered for his pace, creativity and consistency, which made him a crowd favourite throughout his career. After retiring from playing, he has combined several managerial roles with a career at a training and development company in Plymouth. Among the clubs he has managed are Truro City, Holsworthy, Saltash United
and Liskeard Athletic
, his most recent club.
He progressed through the youth system at Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
to make his first team debut in November 1979 against Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
. Having established himself as a regular on the left side of midfield, he scored his first of 18 goals for the club in January 1981 against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
. Cooper became one of the youngest players to captain a side in the Football League, at the age of 22, when he was given the armband by Johnny Hore
Johnny Hore
Johnny Hore is a former football player and manager.Hore appeared for Plymouth Argyle in midfield or as full back on 440 occasions. It was his task to mark Pelé when Santos lost to Argyle 3–2 at Home Park in March 1973. He finished his playing career at Exeter City.He was appointed manager of...
, the clubs manager and a former Argyle player. He helped the club reach the semi-finals of 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...
in 1984, leading the side out against 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...
at Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
, but his stray pass led to the winning goal for their opponents. He lost his place in the side the following year before being converted into a full back, and he was a key member of Dave Smith's team that gained promotion to 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 1986.
Cooper was not far from making his 400th Argyle appearance when he broke his leg in the autumn of 1988, which effectively ended his career with the club. He returned to make two appearances in the 1989–90 season, taking his total tally to 387, before being released that summer. His next move was to Aldershot
Aldershot F.C.
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...
, where he made 33 league appearances, before they were wound up at the High Court
High Court of Justice
The High Court of Justice is, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, one of the Senior Courts of England and Wales...
in March 1992 and forced to resign from the Football League. He returned to the West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
to play non-league football for Truro City
Truro City F.C.
Truro City F.C. are an English professional football club based in Truro, Cornwall. They currently play in the Conference South following five promotions in six seasons. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title five times in their history...
, where he would hang up his boots. Cooper is fondly remembered for his pace, creativity and consistency, which made him a crowd favourite throughout his career. After retiring from playing, he has combined several managerial roles with a career at a training and development company in Plymouth. Among the clubs he has managed are Truro City, Holsworthy, Saltash United
Saltash United F.C.
Saltash United Football Club is a football club based in Saltash, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title two times in their history...
and Liskeard Athletic
Liskeard Athletic F.C.
Liskeard Athletic Football Club is an English association football club based in Liskeard, Cornwall. Founded in 1946, they joined the South Western League in 1966, which they won twice. The club elected to join the Western League in 1979, and won promotion from the First Division a year later...
, his most recent club.