Joys and Sorrows are sorry to hear about the passing of Terry Cooper who has passed away aged 77.
Cooper was part of the Leeds side, making 351 appearances during 1962 and 1975. He helped them win the 1968 League Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley, scoring the winner. He also had a league winner’s medal. It was surprising that he only won 20 caps for England, which included appearances at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. He also played for Middlesbrough, Bristol City, and Doncaster Rovers.
After his playing days he turned his hand to management at Bristol Rovers, Bristol City, Exeter City and of course Blues. He was at the helm at St Andrews between August 1991 and November 1993. He secured promotion from the old Third Division in that first season. He oversaw 135 games winning 48 of them.
We send our condolences to Terry’s family and friends at this sad time.
My fondest memory of Terry Cooper was on another dramatic last day survival game against Charlton. We needed to win (As always))! Sitting behind the dugout in the paddock I witnessed Alan Curbishley the Charlton manager and of course Terry in our dugout. In a tense game we eventually scored through Paul Moulden but still a fair chunk of time to go before the second half finished. Terry was looking visibly ill by the sheer tension of the game and Curbishley whose side were already safe was looking concerned for Terry. He kept signalling with his hands to say “calm down Terry it will be ok “. I am sure Alan would have joined him in our dugout and put an arm around him if he could. We won the game and again survived relegation. Curbishley on the final whistle rushed over to Terry to give him a massive hug. Terry was in tears of relief. What was wonderful to me was the bond that Curbishley still had for Blues and obviously the fact that Terry Cooper must have been a popular football figure.