George Cooper (footballer, born 2002)

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George Cooper
Personal information
Full name Frank George Cooper[1]
Date of birth (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 21)[1]
Place of birth England[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Mansfield Town
Number 19
Youth career
Mansfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Mansfield Town 0 (0)
2021–2022Kettering Town (loan) 24 (2)
2022–2023Kettering Town (loan) 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:00, 7 May 2022 (UTC)

Frank George Cooper (born 25 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Mansfield Town.

Playing career[edit]

Cooper turned professional at Mansfield Town in May 2021 after impressing academy manager Richard Cooper with his consistent performances.[2] He made his senior debut on 31 August under the stewardship of Nigel Clough, coming on for Tyrese Sinclair as a 77th-minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat at Harrogate Town in the EFL Trophy.[3] He was handed a full debut on 5 October, in a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Field Mill, and was described as "impressive" in Mansfield-based newspaper Chad.[4] On 1 December, he joined Kettering Town – who were coached by former Mansfield manager Paul Cox – of the National League North on an initial one-month loan.[5][6] He scored a goal from 30-yards in a 4–0 victory at Leamington on 18 December.[7] He added another goal with a header in a 3–0 win over Curzon Ashton at Latimer Park on 15 January.[8] New manager Ian Culverhouse ensured Cooper's loan was extended after he scored two goals in eight appearances.[9][10] He was absent throughout March due to injury.[11] He was named as man of the match playing in the central role of a back three during a 1–0 home win over Gloucester City on 15 April.[12] Speaking five days later, Cooper stated that he was enjoying his time at the club: "I love the place to be fair and, for my development, I have learnt so much and I am still learning week in and week out. It's massive for me to come and play men’s football and get quite a lot of game time."[13] He made a total of 24 appearances for Kettering in the 2021–22 season, scoring two goals.[1] Mansfield opted to extend his contract at the end of the season.[14] In June 2022, Cooper returned to Kettering Town on loan.[15]

Personal life[edit]

As of October 2021, Cooper was studying sports science at Nottingham Trent University’s Mansfield campus.[16]

Career statistics[edit]

As of match played 7 May 2022
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mansfield Town 2021–22[17] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 3[a] 0 3 0
Kettering Town (loan) 2021–22[1] National League North 24 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 2
Career total 24 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 27 2
  1. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e George Cooper at Soccerway
  2. ^ Lomas, John (4 May 2021). "Teen trio sign first pro contracts with Mansfield Town". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  3. ^ "%competition_name% (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  4. ^ Lomas, John (5 October 2021). "Late,late Sheffield Wednesday strike sinks battling Mansfield Town". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  5. ^ "George Cooper & Josh Scott Head Out On Loan". www.stagsnet.net. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  6. ^ Lomas, John (1 December 2021). "Talented young Stags trio head out on loan as squad gets back to almost full strength at last". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  7. ^ Dunham, Jon (19 December 2021). "Ramshaw's delight as Kettering Town return to winning ways". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  8. ^ Dunham, Jon (16 January 202). "Kettering Town boss Cox excited for second half of the season". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  9. ^ "George Cooper | Kettering Town Football Club". www.ketteringtownfc.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  10. ^ Dunham, Jon (1 February 2022). "Culverhouse still hoping to add new faces as Kettering Town face Southport". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  11. ^ Dunham, Jon (16 March 2022). "Mixed feelings for Daly after his Kettering Town debut". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  12. ^ Dunham, Jon (15 April 2022). "Kettering Town 1 Gloucester City 0 - Jon Dunham's verdict". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  13. ^ Dunham, Jon (20 April 2022). "Our belief is massive, says Kettering Town loanee Cooper". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  14. ^ Lomas, John (11 May 2022). "Mansfield Town begin summer clear-out with release of six young players". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  15. ^ "COOP's RETURNS". www.ketteringtownfc.com. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  16. ^ Ball, Jon (13 October 2021). "University's delight as students play for Mansfield Town". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  17. ^ "Games played by George Cooper in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2019.