Richard Cooper (footballer, born 1965)

Richard David Cooper (born 7 May 1965) is an English retired footballer. He played as a midfielder for Sheffield United, Lincoln City and Exeter City in the Football League. He was the grandson of Doncaster Rovers legend Syd Bycroft.[2]

Richard Cooper
Personal information
Full name Richard David Cooper
Date of birth (1965-05-07) 7 May 1965
Place of birth London, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Sheffield United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1985 Sheffield United 6 (0)
1985–1987 Lincoln City 61 (2)
1987–1989 Exeter City 62 (2)
1989–1991 Weymouth
1990–1995 Yeovil Town 125 (6)
1995–1996 Gainsborough Trinity
Spalding United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Coaching career

In August 2000, Cooper returned to Lincoln City to run its newly formed Grass Roots Section.[3] The scheme would involve the club opening Soccer Schools, for all, throughout the county of Lincolnshire but mainly in rural areas to enable youngsters aged between five and eleven to receive qualified coaching. After four years in the role, and having completed his UEFA 'A' licence, he left the club to succeed Phil Stant[4] as Football Development Centre Coach/Tutor at Newark and Sherwood College. He combined this with a job as a member of the Manchester United's Overseas Development Team.[5] After two years away from Sincil Bank, he returned to Lincoln City as Director of the Girls Centre of Excellence[6] and manager of the Football in the Community scheme[4][7] In March 2010, the club's Football in the Community scheme was relaunched as the Lincoln City F.C. Sport and Education Trust,[8] a non-profit charity whose work is regulated by The Football League Trust, a move which saw Cooper assume his current role as Lincoln City F.C. Sport and Education Trust Manager.

Ahead of the 2018-19 season, Cooper became manager of Lincoln City Women (then Nettleham Ladies). The team competes in the FA Women's National League. He left by mutual consent in January 2021,[9] when Lincoln were third in the league.

References
  1. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  2. "The PFA pays tribute to Doncaster Rovers' legend Syd Bycroft – one of the toughest centre halves of his era!". givemefootball.com. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  3. "LCFC "Grass Roots" Division". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 18 August 2000. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  4. "Where are they now – Richard Cooper". Martin McConachie (First published in the Yeovil Town v Colchester United official programme). 2 May 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  5. "Cooper moves on". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 19 August 2004. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  6. "Girls Centre of Excellence". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 3 May 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  7. "Wanted: schools to represent the Imps!". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 10 November 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  8. "Youth Development Board Update". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  9. Women, Lincoln City (22 January 2021). "Club Statement". Lincoln City Women. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
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