Steve Cooper (footballer, born 1964)

Stephen Brian Cooper (22 June 1964 – 15 February 2004) was an English footballer who played as a forward. Best known for his time spent with Airdrieonians, his headed goal in the semi-final at Hampden against Hearts ensured that his side made it to the 1995 Scottish Cup final and he played the full 90 minutes against Celtic as the Diamonds lost 1–0 to a Pierre van Hooijdonk goal.[2][3]

Steve Cooper
Personal information
Full name Stephen Brian Cooper[1]
Date of birth (1964-06-22)22 June 1964[1]
Place of birth Birmingham,[1] England
Date of death 15 February 2004(2004-02-15) (aged 39)
Place of death Birmingham, England
Playing position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1984 Birmingham City 0 (0)
1983–1984 → Halifax Town (loan) 7 (1)
1984 → NAC Breda (loan) 3 (1)
1984–1985 Newport County 38 (11)
1985–1988 Plymouth Argyle 73 (15)
1988–1990 Barnsley 77 (13)
1990–1993 Tranmere Rovers 32 (3)
1992 → Peterborough United (loan) 9 (0)
1992–1993 → Wigan Athletic (loan) 4 (0)
1993–1994 York City 38 (6)
1994–1999 Airdrieonians 133 (42)
1999–2000 Ayr United 0 (0)
Total 414 (92)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Before joining Airdrie, Cooper played for a number of clubs in England, most notably Tranmere Rovers, where he scored twice in Tranmere's successful playoff campaign in 1991 through which the club were promoted to the First Division,[4] and also scored in the club's 3–2 defeat against Cooper's former club Birmingham City in the Associate Members' Cup Final, also in 1991.[5] In 1984, he had a loan spell in the Netherlands with NAC Breda.[6]

For Peterborough United, Cooper came off the bench to score a late diving header to win the 1992 Third Division play-off semi-final second leg against Huddersfield Town.[7][8]

He was inducted into the Airdrie United Hall of Fame in 2004 as recognition of his service to the club.[9]

He died in his sleep at his home in Yardley, Birmingham, on 15 February 2004, having unknowingly cracked his skull in a fall.[10][11]

References
  1. "Steve Cooper". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  2. Traynor, John (9 April 1995). "Cooper leads cup coup". The Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  3. O'Hagan, Simon (28 May 1995). "Celtic's compensation". The Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  4. "Football mourns Cooper". BBC Sport. 17 February 2004. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  5. Dick, Brian (28 May 2015). "Birmingham City nostalgia: John Gayle blows Tranmere away with Wembley double". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  6. "Spelers: Steve Cooper". VI.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  7. "Cooper's cruel strike ends hopes of Wembley". Examiner Live. 13 May 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  8. "Matches: Huddersfield Town 1–2 Peterborough Utd (14/05/1992)". Up The Posh. Chris Wilkinson. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  9. "Steve Cooper". Greens on Screen. Steve Dean. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  10. "Ex-City striker Steve Cooper dies at 39". The Press. York. 16 February 2004. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  11. "Greatest Strikers: 25–21". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
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