Terry Cooper

Cooper was born in Brotherton, West Riding of Yorkshire. He 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's play. He could also 'go inside', joining attacks centrally and scoring some important goals.

After three years with Middlesbrough, playing more than 100 games, he moved on to Bristol City for two years, before being appointed as player-manager of rivals Bristol Rovers. After an unsuccessful period there, he subsequently assisted and played for his former Leeds skipper Billy Bremner at Doncaster Rovers. He was then approached to become player-manager at Bristol City following their consecutive relegations from the 1st to 4th divisions. Within two seasons, promotion to the Third Division was achieved with a fourth-place finish in 1983–84. Two years later he led the club to their first Wembley visit, winning the Associate Members' Cup Final against Bolton Wanderers in 1986. His management career also took in a period at the helm of Birmingham City sandwiched between two spells at Exeter City.

Cooper and his wife Rosemary had three children. His son, Mark, and grandson, Charlie, also became footballers. Cooper died on 31 July 2021, aged 77.

Player

Leeds United

Football League First Division: 1968–69 Football League Cup: 1967–68 FA Charity Shield: 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1967–68, 1970–71; runner-up: 1966–67 FA Cup runner-up: 1969–70 Individual

Rothmans Golden Boots Awards: 1970, 1971, 1972

Manager

Bristol City

Football League Fourth Division promotion: 1983–84 Associate Members' Cup: 1985–86 Exeter City

Football League Fourth Division: 1989–90 Birmingham City

Football League Third Division promotion: 1991–92