Neil Cooper (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Neil Cooper is a Scottish
former football player and manager.
in 1959. He began his professional career with Aberdeen
and made 12 appearances for the Dons. He moved to Barnsley
in 1979, then played for Grimsby Town
. He returned to Scotland in 1983 to play for St. Mirren
, where he was part of the team which won the Scottish Cup
in 1987. He left St. Mirren in 1989 to play for Hibernian
for two years, before retiring in 1991.
during his short spell as manager in 1999. He left Aberdeen to manage Forfar Athletic
from 2000–2003, before returning to Aberdeen in 2003 to become youth coach.
In December 2010, Cooper was placed in temporary charge of Aberdeen
following the departure of Mark McGhee
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former football player and manager.
Playing career
Neil Cooper was born in AberdeenAberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
in 1959. He began his professional career with Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
and made 12 appearances for the Dons. He moved to Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
in 1979, then played for Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He returned to Scotland in 1983 to play for St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
, where he was part of the team which won the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
in 1987. He left St. Mirren in 1989 to play for Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
for two years, before retiring in 1991.
Later career
After retiring from football, Neil Cooper returned to Aberdeen as part of the coaching staff, then became Assistant Manager to Paul HegartyPaul Hegarty
Paul Anthony "Heggie" Hegarty is a Scottish former football player, who was captain of Dundee United during their most successful era in the 1970s and 1980s and won eight international caps for Scotland...
during his short spell as manager in 1999. He left Aberdeen to manage Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
from 2000–2003, before returning to Aberdeen in 2003 to become youth coach.
In December 2010, Cooper was placed in temporary charge of Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
following the departure of Mark McGhee
Mark McGhee
Mark Edward McGhee is a former Scottish professional football player. McGhee started his career at Greenock Morton in 1975 and spent spells at clubs including Newcastle United, Aberdeen, Hamburg, Celtic, IK Brage and Reading...
.