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Alex Cooper (footballer)

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Alex Cooper
Personal information
Date of birth (1991-11-04) 4 November 1991 (age 33)[1]
Place of birth Inverness, Scotland[2]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Brora Rangers
Youth career
0000–2007 Ross County
2007–2011 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Ross County 32 (1)
2011–2012 → Elgin City (loan) 8 (0)
2014–2016 Falkirk 24 (3)
2016 St Mirren 12 (1)
2016–2017 Cheltenham Town 1 (0)
2017 East Fife 6 (0)
2017–2018 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6 (1)
2018–2019 Fresno 45 (6)
2020–2021 Sligo Rovers 12 (1)
2021–2022 Queen of the South 20 (2)
2022–2023 Gefle IF 14 (1)
International career‡
2007–2008 Scotland U17 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:30, 19 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:00, 29 April 2022 (UTC)

Alex Cooper (born 4 November 1991) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a left-back.

Cooper has previously played for Ross County, Elgin City (loan spell), Falkirk, St Mirren, Cheltenham Town, East Fife, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Fresno, Sligo Rovers, Queen of the South and Gefle IF.

Cooper is also a former Liverpool youth player and also a former Scotland U17 youth international.

Career

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Club career

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Cooper began his playing career with Ross County's youth team.[1] He immediately showed signs of great potential, sparking interest from several major clubs. At 14, he was invited to take part in a tournament in Switzerland with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.[3] and to train with both Celtic and Rangers. At the age of sixteen he went on a week-long trial to Liverpool which was cut short by injury.[4] He returned a month later for a further three-day trial playing one match after which he was offered a contract.[4]

He joined Liverpool on 28 December 2007 for a £100,000 fee signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.[3] After his arrival he started playing for Liverpool's Academy before progressing to the Reserve side managed by John McMahon.[4] Cooper also played in the 2008/09 FA Youth Cup final at Anfield stadium against Arsenal for Liverpool.[5] During his time at Merseyside he suffered numerous injuries the most severe being a broken ankle ruling him out for six months during the 2009–10 season.[1][4]

Cooper (right) winning the Young Player of the Year award at Ross County F.C.

Cooper was released by Liverpool in the summer of 2011 along with three other players following the expiration of his contract.[6] In the wake of his release, there was interest from a number of clubs, north and south of the border[7] and Cooper eventually re-joined Ross County on 18 October 2011 until the end of the season after nearly a four-year absence from Dingwall.[8] He appeared on the bench a day later for County's Scottish Cup tie against Albion Rovers but remained an unused substitute.[9] He made his senior debut on 7 January 2012 as a substitute in a 7–0 victory against Stenhousemuir in a Scottish Cup fixture replacing teammate Paul Lawson.[10] His next outing for County was again in the Scottish Cup, against SPL side St Mirren in a fifth round replay defeat.[11]

On 16 March 2012, he joined Scottish Third Division side Elgin City on loan until the end of the season.[12] He made his debut the following day, starting in a 2–2 draw with East Stirlingshire.[13] Ross County were promoted to the Scottish Premier League with Cooper signing a new one-year contract in May 2012 keeping him at Dingwall until the end of the 2012–13 season.[14] Cooper earned his first Scottish Premier League start against Kilmarnock in September 2012 but had to come off with another ankle injury and subsequently missed two months of action until he returned to action again in December.[15] His performances during that season earnt him his club's Young Player of the Year award[16] and subsequently a similar new deal for the 2013–14 season. Cooper scored his first league goal in spectacular style during the New Year's Day Derby against County's close rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle which ultimately made the difference in a 2–1 win.[17] At the end of the 2013–14 season, his father left his role as an assistant manager at Ross County and Cooper was among three players to be released.[18]

On 3 July 2014, Cooper signed for Scottish Championship club Falkirk.[19] He scored on his Falkirk debut, a 7–1 win against East Stirlingshire in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[20] He was a substitute in the 2015 Scottish Cup Final squad.

On 29 January 2016, St Mirren signed Cooper until the end of the 2015–16 season after he was released from Falkirk.[21] He was released by St Mirren at the end of the 2015–16 season.[22]

On 8 October, Cooper signed for Cheltenham Town.[23] The deal was completed in time for him to start in a match against Accrington Stanley. Cooper tore his hamstring on his Cheltenham Town debut and did not recover before the end of his contract, which led to a spell out of the professional game before he signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in July 2017 on a short-term contract.[24][25] He was part of the Inverness team that won the 17/18 challenge cup.

On 13 March 2018, Cooper joined United Soccer League side Fresno FC as a free agent.[26]

Cooper made 24 appearances in his first season in America and re-signed with Fresno for the 2019 USL Season.[27] After re-signing, Head Coach Adam Smith stated "We're excited to welcome Alex back to our club after a successful first year with us. He was a key piece on both sides of the ball and we're looking forward to having him provide that spark on the left wing."[27] In the following season, Cooper scored and assisted in the USL Championship Playoff semifinal against El Paso Locomotive FC as Fresno FC lost 3-2.[28]

In February 2020, he signed for Irish club Sligo Rovers.[29] In August, Cooper scored a magnificent last minute freekick which secured a 2–1 win over Waterford FC.[30] Cooper's goal proved to be invaluable as it helped the team to secure European football for the first time since 2013.[31]

On 9 July 2021, Cooper signed for Dumfries club Queen of the South in the Scottish Championship on a one-year contract.[32]

Upon signing for Queen of the South, Manager Allan Johnston said, "Alex has a great left foot and is an experienced player who can play in numerous positions. With his ability to play in defence and midfield that gives us options which is exactly what we need within the squad."[33] During his time in Dumfries, Cooper also played in the 2021/22 Scottish League Challenge Cup final, in which Queen of the South lost to Raith Rovers.[34]

After leaving the club at the end of the 2021–22 season, he signed for Swedish side Gefle IF. After Cooper joined Gefle IF with a few months of the season left, Gefle IF went on to win the Ettan Norra title and secure promotion back to the Superettan League.

International career

[edit]

Cooper made his international debut at the age of 14 and scored in a 1–1 draw for Scotland against Belgium, who had Eden Hazard playing.[35][36] He represented Scotland at under-15 and under-16 levels including participation in the Victory Shield tournament.[37][38] He also played for the Scotland under-17 side on seven occasions, featuring in the age group's European Championship.[39] Cooper was involved in the UEFA under-17 European Championship in Turkey and named as a player to watch by UEFA.[40] He signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers on 20 February 2020, turning down offers to stay in the United States for a third season, in order to be closer to his family in Scotland.[29]

Personal life

[edit]

Cooper is the son of Neale Cooper, who played for Aberdeen and was the manager of Ross County.[41]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of 1 May 2022[42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ross County 2011–12 Scottish Division One 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2012–13 Scottish Premier League 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
Ross County Total 32 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 35 1
Elgin City (loan) 2011–12 Scottish Division Three 8 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 10 0
Falkirk 2014–15 Scottish Championship 24 3 1 0 3 1 3[b] 1 31 5
2015–16 0 0 0 0 1 0 1[b] 1 2 1
Falkirk Total 24 3 1 0 4 1 4 2 33 6
St Mirren 2015–16 Scottish Championship 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
Cheltenham Town 2016–17 EFL League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
East Fife 2016–17 Scottish League One 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2017–18 Scottish Championship 6 1 0 0 1 0 3[b] 0 10 1
Fresno 2018 USL Championship 24 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 3
2019 21 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 3
Fresno Total 45 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 45 6
Sligo Rovers 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division 12 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 15 1
Queen of the South 2021–22 Scottish Championship 20 2 2 0 1 0 4 0 27 2
Career total 155 14 6 0 6 1 13 2 178 17
  1. ^ Appearances in the Division Three play-offs
  2. ^ a b c Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Alex Cooper". rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk. Ross County F.C. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Scotland – A. Cooper – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Liverpool sign Ross County kid Alex Cooper". The Daily Telegraph. London. 28 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d Carroll, James (19 October 2010). "Flanno loves to rave in my car". liverpoolfc.tv. Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  5. ^ Walsh, Kristian; Rimmer, Joe (25 April 2019). "Liverpool's Youth Cup stars of 2009 - and what happened to them". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  6. ^ Carroll, James (17 June 2011). "Reds release quartet". liverpoolfc.tv. Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  7. ^ Loughlin, Nick (24 August 2011). "Pools take Cooper on trial". The Northern Echo. Newsquest. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  8. ^ "Ross County snap up former Liverpool youth". STV. STV Group. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "Ross County 4 – 0 Albion Rovers". albionroversfc.com. Albion Rovers F.C. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  10. ^ "Ross County 7 – 0 Stenhousemuir". BBC Sport. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Ten-man St Mirren held off a fightback by Ross County to secure a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie away to Hearts". BBC Sport. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  12. ^ Crowther, Stuart (16 March 2012). "Jack adds to his midfield as City set to face bottom club". STV. STV Group. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  13. ^ "East Stirlingshire 2 – 2 Elgin City". Scottish Football League. 17 March 2012. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Ross County announce new signings". Rossshire Journal. Scottish Provincial Press. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  15. ^ "Ross County's Alex Cooper saw it all in short time at Anfield". The Herald. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Player of the Year Awards 2013". The Jailender. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  17. ^ "Ross County 2 – 1 Inverness". BBC Sport. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Transfer news: Ross County to release Michael Fraser, Alex Cooper and Gary Glen". Sky Sports. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  19. ^ "HOUSTON BLITZ BOLSTERS SQUAD". Falkirk F.C. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  20. ^ "EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 1 FALKIRK 7". Falkirk F.C. 26 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  21. ^ "St Mirren add Gary Irvine and Alex Cooper". BBC. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  22. ^ "Squad Update". St Mirren FC. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  23. ^ "Alex Cooper: Cheltenham Town sign former St Mirren midfielder". BBC Sport. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  24. ^ "Cooper makes Inverness move". SPFL. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  25. ^ "Alex Cooper set on full-time return after Caley Thistle trial". Inverness Courier. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Reynish Leads Trio of Signings for Foxes". uslsoccer.com. United Soccer League. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  27. ^ a b USLChampionship com Staff (6 February 2019). "No Flying the Coop – Foxes Re-Sign Scottish Defender". USL Championship. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  28. ^ nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, NICHOLAS MURRAY- (27 October 2019). "Locomotive FC Springs Wild Comeback in Fresno". USL Championship. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Alex Cooper signs for Rovers – Sligo Rovers". Sligorovers.com. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Late Alex Cooper strike sees Sligo overcome Waterford FC". The independent. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Rovers qualify for Europe". Sligorovers.com. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  32. ^ "QosFC: Welcome – Alex Cooper".
  33. ^ "QosFC: Welcome - Alex Cooper". www.qosfc.com. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  34. ^ "Raith Rovers 3-1 Queen of the South (3 Apr, 2022) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Scottish Football Association". scottishfa.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  36. ^ "Fact or Trash! Jan 2008 – Round 1". World Soccer Talk. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  37. ^ "Under 15s draw with Belgium". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  38. ^ "Under 16s go goal crazy". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. 13 September 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  39. ^ "Alex Cooper Profile". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  40. ^ "Aleksić acrobatics stun Scotland". UEFA. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  41. ^ "Liverpool snap up teenager Cooper". BBC Sport. 28 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  42. ^ Alex Cooper at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
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