Southport Central

Gary Cooper

Real Name: Gary Smethurst Cooper
Normal Position: Forward
Height: 6' 0
Weight: 11 st. 10 lbs
Born: 15/02/1955 (Horwich)

Gary CooperFrom the Football League Book:
As a centre-forward he appeared in the Cheshire League for his home-town club Horwich RMI when still only is. Discarded after an apprenticeship at Bolton Wanderers, he had a three months\' trial at Oldham under Walter Joyce, whose first signing he was when appointed manager at Rochdale. In 1975-76 he played in the side that took Norwich City to three replays in the fourth round of the F.A. Cup. He joined Southport as a part-timer on trial after being freed by Rochdale. He scored a spectacular goal in the League Cup-tie with Hull City when he hit home a vicious dipping volley from 3o yards. He was signed on for the season, but suffered two ankle injuries which limited his first team opportunities. He did have the honour of scoring Southport\'s very last League goal in their 2200th game.
He re-joined Southport in 1981 and was a regular scorer in their Northern Premier League team notching 21 N.P.L. goals in his first season. He stayed on as a popular crowd-pleaser for two more years, accumulating 103 full N.P.L. appearances. He works at British Aerospace and has tried his luck in the USA in recent years.
Player Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9



From The Non-League Book:
Scorer of arguably the greatest goal ever seen at Haig Avenue in the Football League days in the 2-2 draw with Hull City in the League Cup 1977/78 season. Gary made 81 Football League appearances for Rochdale and 13 league appearances (plus 7 as sub) for Southport before returning to the club in the 1981/82 season and going on to make a further 103 starts plus 13 as sub. He netted 46 goals in that time. His hat-trick in the 4-1 win at Marine in the 81/82 season was one of the highlights of his time at the club.
As well as a claim for the greatest ever goal scored at Haig Avenue �Coops� also has the distinction of scoring our last ever Football League goal, one of five Football League goals he netted. His final season was hit by injury with two bad ankle injuries restricting his appearances which was a blow as he showed great promise in every game he played
Started out as a centre forward for his home town club Horwich RMI as a 15 year old.

Player Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Complete Non-League History of Southport Football Club 1978 - 2008, by Trust in Yellow (Legends Publishing, 2008). ISBN 978-1-906796-01-3


If you can provide any further information please contact me



Transfers

Season Date From To Value
1977/1978 18/11/1977 N/A Southport Agrees terms after Trial
1977/1978 11/08/1977 ROCHDALE Southport
1977/1978 01/05/1978 Southport UNATTACHED


Player Match Stats


Statistics include the following competitions
Cambrian Cup, Conference League Cup, English Jubilee Fund, FA Cup , FA Trophy , Football League Cup, Lancashire Floodlit Trophy, Lancashire Junior Cup, Lancashire League Medal Competition, Lancashire Senior Cup, League, Liverpool Senior Cup, Northern Premier League Cup, Northern Premier League Shield, PLAY OFFS , President's Cup, President's Inter League, Third Division (North) Cup, Welsh Cup,

Season Apps Subs Goals
1977/1978 1877
1981/1982 44530
1982/1983 48318
1983/1984 35510
1984/1985 15107
Total 160 30 72

Appearances & Goals

Games where player was named on the team sheet

Date Competition Venue Opponents Score
22/12/1984 Northern Premier League Cup / 1R2LA MORECAMBE 3 - 4
11/12/1984 Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpA MARINE 0 - 2
08/12/1984 Lancashire Junior CupA MORECAMBE 0 - 3
04/12/1984 Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpA SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 - 0
01/12/1984 League / D6H MATLOCK TOWN 2 - 3
28/11/1984 FA Trophy / 2QA WORKSOP TOWN 1 - 6
27/11/1984 Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpH MARINE 3 - 0
21/11/1984 Liverpool Senior Cup / 1H KIRKBY TOWN 1 - 2
14/11/1984 FA Trophy / 1QA MEXBOROUGH 4 - 1
06/11/1984 League / D6A OSWESTRY TOWN 2 - 5
03/11/1984 League / D6A GOOLE TOWN 2 - 2
30/10/1984 League / D6H WITTON ALBION 5 - 2
27/10/1984 League / D6H BANGOR CITY 1 - 1
24/10/1984 League / D6A WORKINGTON 1 - 2
09/10/1984 League / D6H CHORLEY 0 - 1
06/10/1984 League / D6A GRANTHAM TOWN 2 - 0
18/09/1984 League / D6A MARINE 0 - 3
15/09/1984 FA Cup / 1QA LEYLAND MOTORS 4 - 0
11/09/1984 League / D6H MOSSLEY 2 - 1
08/09/1984 League / D6A STAFFORD RANGERS 2 - 0
04/09/1984 League / D6A MORECAMBE 1 - 1
01/09/1984 League / D6H MACCLESFIELD TOWN 2 - 2
27/08/1984 League / D6H WORKINGTON 1 - 0
25/08/1984 League / D6A BURTON ALBION 0 - 3
21/08/1984 League / D6A RHYL 5 - 0
04/08/1984 Cambrian CupA BURSCOUGH 2 - 1
28/07/1984 Cambrian CupA SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 - 1
28/04/1984 League / D6H MACCLESFIELD TOWN 2 - 0
23/04/1984 League / D6H MARINE 3 - 0
21/04/1984 League / D6A MORECAMBE 2 - 1
14/04/1984 League / D6H WORKSOP TOWN 1 - 1
07/04/1984 League / D6H SOUTH LIVERPOOL 1 - 0
01/04/1984 League / D6A WORKSOP TOWN 1 - 0
31/03/1984 League / D6A GRANTHAM TOWN 0 - 3
24/03/1984 League / D6H HORWICH RMI 2 - 2
25/02/1984 League / D6A MATLOCK TOWN 0 - 1
18/02/1984 League / D6A MOSSLEY 2 - 2
11/02/1984 Liverpool Senior Cup / 2H ST HELENS TOWN 2 - 0
07/02/1984 Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpA LEYLAND MOTORS 3 - 1
21/01/1984 Northern Premier League Cup / 1R2LA BARROW 1 - 1
18/01/1984 Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpH SKELMERSDALE UNITED 1 - 3
31/12/1983 Northern Premier League Cup / 1R1LH BARROW 1 - 3
26/12/1983 League / D6H MORECAMBE 0 - 2
21/12/1983 League / D6H WORKINGTON 1 - 1
17/12/1983 League / D6A OSWESTRY TOWN 3 - 2
13/12/1983 Lancashire Floodlit TrophyA MARINE 1 - 0
10/12/1983 League / D6A RHYL 0 - 0
07/12/1983 League / D6H HYDE UNITED 2 - 1
03/12/1983 League / D6H MOSSLEY 4 - 2
30/11/1983 FA Trophy / 2QRH WORKINGTON 0 - 1
26/11/1983 FA Trophy / 2QA WORKINGTON 0 - 0
22/11/1983 Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpA SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 - 0
19/11/1983 League / D6A STAFFORD RANGERS 0 - 4
16/11/1983 Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpH MARINE 2 - 1
12/11/1983 League / D6H CHORLEY 0 - 4
09/11/1983 Liverpool Senior Cup / 1H SKELMERSDALE UNITED 4 - 3
05/11/1983 League / D6A MACCLESFIELD TOWN 0 - 2
01/11/1983 League / D6A CHORLEY 2 - 1
29/10/1983 League / D6H GRANTHAM TOWN 0 - 1
15/10/1983 FA Cup / 3QA HORWICH RMI 1 - 2
10/10/1983 League / D6H RHYL 3 - 0
08/10/1983 League / D6A BUXTON 2 - 3
05/10/1983 League / D6H OSWESTRY TOWN 3 - 3
27/09/1983 League / D6A MARINE 2 - 5
24/09/1983 League / D6H GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 2 - 1
20/09/1983 League / D6A BURTON ALBION 1 - 3
17/09/1983 FA Cup / 1QA RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 3 - 1
14/09/1983 League / D6H WITTON ALBION 2 - 1
10/09/1983 League / D6A HYDE UNITED 3 - 0
30/07/1983 Cambrian CupA SKELMERSDALE UNITED 0 - 1
30/04/1983 League / D6A BUXTON 1 - 4
23/04/1983 League / D6A OSWESTRY TOWN 2 - 2
16/04/1983 League / D6H KINGS LYNN 0 - 1
13/04/1983 League / D6H GRANTHAM TOWN 0 - 2
09/04/1983 League / D6A HYDE UNITED 0 - 3
04/04/1983 League / D6H SOUTH LIVERPOOL 2 - 3
02/04/1983 League / D6A MACCLESFIELD TOWN 2 - 3
30/03/1983 League / D6H GATESHEAD (1977) 0 - 2
26/03/1983 League / D6H BURTON ALBION 2 - 1
19/03/1983 League / D6A MORECAMBE 1 - 1
12/03/1983 League / D6A GATESHEAD (1977) 0 - 2
04/03/1983 Lancashire Junior Cup / 3A HORWICH RMI 1 - 2
26/02/1983 League / D6H TAMWORTH 1 - 0
22/02/1983 Liverpool Senior Cup / 2A SOUTH LIVERPOOL 0 - 4
19/02/1983 League / D6A GRANTHAM TOWN 1 - 1
12/02/1983 Lancashire Junior Cup / 2H RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 2 - 1
05/02/1983 League / D6A GOOLE TOWN 2 - 1
29/01/1983 League / D6H MACCLESFIELD TOWN 0 - 2
25/01/1983 Lancashire Junior Cup / 1RH MARINE 1 - 0
22/01/1983 Lancashire Junior Cup / 1A MARINE 1 - 1
19/01/1983 League / D6H MORECAMBE 2 - 2
15/01/1983 League / D6H GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 4 - 2
08/01/1983 League / D6A BURTON ALBION 2 - 3
03/01/1983 League / D6H WITTON ALBION 1 - 2
01/01/1983 League / D6A MARINE 2 - 2
27/12/1982 League / D6H MARINE 2 - 1
19/12/1982 FA Trophy / 3QA SPENNYMOOR UNITED 0 - 5
12/12/1982 League / D6A WORKSOP TOWN 0 - 0
11/12/1982 League / D6A KINGS LYNN 0 - 0
04/12/1982 League / D6A MOSSLEY 4 - 1
27/11/1982 FA Trophy / 2QH GATESHEAD (1977) 2 - 0
20/11/1982 League / D6A NETHERFIELD 2 - 0
13/11/1982 League / D6H GOOLE TOWN 3 - 1
09/11/1982 Liverpool Senior Cup / 1H PRESCOT CABLES 2 - 1
06/11/1982 League / D6H HYDE UNITED 2 - 3
02/11/1982 League / D6A CHORLEY 1 - 1
12/10/1982 League / D6A WORKINGTON 2 - 2
09/10/1982 League / D6A MATLOCK TOWN 2 - 2
06/10/1982 League / D6H MOSSLEY 1 - 1
02/10/1982 League / D6H MATLOCK TOWN 1 - 2
18/09/1982 FA Cup / 1QA DARWEN 0 - 2
15/09/1982 President's Cup / 1R2LA BURTON ALBION 0 - 1
11/09/1982 League / D6H BUXTON 0 - 0
08/09/1982 League / D6A SOUTH LIVERPOOL 1 - 1
04/09/1982 FA Cup / PrlmA LYTHAM 2 - 1
30/08/1982 President's Cup / 1R1LH BURTON ALBION 0 - 0
28/08/1982 League / D6A TAMWORTH 3 - 2
25/08/1982 League / D6H WORKINGTON 1 - 2
21/08/1982 League / D6H WORKSOP TOWN 3 - 2
07/08/1982 Cambrian CupA MARINE 1 - 1
04/08/1982 Cambrian CupH BURSCOUGH 2 - 5
01/05/1982 League / D6A OSWESTRY TOWN 0 - 2
17/04/1982 League / D6H BURTON ALBION 2 - 1
12/04/1982 League / D6H LANCASTER CITY 2 - 3
09/04/1982 League / D6A WITTON ALBION 3 - 4
06/04/1982 League / D6A NETHERFIELD 3 - 1
04/04/1982 League / D6H BANGOR CITY 2 - 1
27/03/1982 League / D6H NETHERFIELD 0 - 2
15/03/1982 League / D6A TAMWORTH 3 - 0
13/03/1982 League / D6H GOOLE TOWN 2 - 0
06/03/1982 League / D6H GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 1 - 1
03/03/1982 League / D6H OSWESTRY TOWN 2 - 2
27/02/1982 League / D6A SOUTH LIVERPOOL 1 - 0
23/02/1982 League / D6A BUXTON 1 - 3
20/02/1982 League / D6H WORKINGTON 0 - 0
13/02/1982 League / D6H MATLOCK TOWN 1 - 1
10/02/1982 Northern Premier League Cup / 3RH WORKINGTON 1 - 2
07/02/1982 League / D6A WORKSOP TOWN 1 - 1
06/02/1982 League / D6A KINGS LYNN 0 - 0
03/02/1982 Lancashire Junior Cup / 3A BARROW 0 - 1
30/01/1982 League / D6H BUXTON 0 - 1
26/01/1982 Northern Premier League Cup / 3A WORKINGTON 1 - 1
23/01/1982 League / D6A LANCASTER CITY 0 - 1
21/01/1982 Lancashire Junior Cup / 2RA SOUTH LIVERPOOL 2 - 1
02/01/1982 Lancashire Junior Cup / 2H SOUTH LIVERPOOL 1 - 1
12/12/1981 League / D6A GRANTHAM TOWN 1 - 2
05/12/1981 League / D6H MOSSLEY 1 - 0
28/11/1981 League / D6A MORECAMBE 0 - 0
24/11/1981 League / D6A MARINE 4 - 1
16/11/1981 Lancashire Junior Cup / 1A ROSSENDALE UNITED 1 - 0
14/11/1981 League / D6H WORKSOP TOWN 4 - 1
07/11/1981 League / D6H KINGS LYNN 1 - 1
03/11/1981 Liverpool Senior Cup / 1H PRESCOT CABLES 0 - 2
31/10/1981 League / D6A GOOLE TOWN 2 - 2
24/10/1981 FA Trophy / 1QA NANTWICH TOWN 1 - 2
17/10/1981 League / D6H GRANTHAM TOWN 2 - 1
13/10/1981 League / D6A MACCLESFIELD TOWN 1 - 1
10/10/1981 League / D6H GATESHEAD (1977) 2 - 0
06/10/1981 League / D6A BANGOR CITY 2 - 4
03/10/1981 League / D6A GATESHEAD (1977) 0 - 0
26/09/1981 Northern Premier League Cup / 2H GOOLE TOWN 3 - 1
22/09/1981 League / D6A BURTON ALBION 2 - 0
19/09/1981 FA Cup / 1QA DROYLSDEN 0 - 1
14/09/1981 Northern Premier League Cup / 1R2LA NETHERFIELD 2 - 1
12/09/1981 League / D6H MACCLESFIELD TOWN 2 - 2
08/09/1981 League / D6H SOUTH LIVERPOOL 1 - 1
05/09/1981 League / D6A MOSSLEY 2 - 4
31/08/1981 Northern Premier League Cup / 1R1LH NETHERFIELD 4 - 3
25/08/1981 League / D6H MORECAMBE 2 - 1
22/08/1981 League / D6A MATLOCK TOWN 4 - 1
18/08/1981 League / D6A WORKINGTON 2 - 3
15/08/1981 League / D6H TAMWORTH 1 - 1
29/04/1978 League / D4A WATFORD 2 - 3
25/04/1978 League / D4A GRIMSBY TOWN 0 - 2
22/04/1978 League / D4H HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 - 1
04/04/1978 League / D4H SWANSEA CITY 0 - 3
01/04/1978 League / D4A ROCHDALE 1 - 2
27/03/1978 League / D4H DARLINGTON 1 - 0
25/03/1978 League / D4A BARNSLEY 1 - 2
24/03/1978 League / D4H STOCKPORT COUNTY 2 - 0
18/03/1978 League / D4A HALIFAX TOWN 1 - 2
14/03/1978 League / D4H READING 1 - 1
11/03/1978 League / D4H BRENTFORD 1 - 3
02/01/1978 League / D4A ALDERSHOT 0 - 0
26/11/1977 FA Cup / 1H RUNCORN 2 - 2
19/11/1977 League / D4H NEWPORT COUNTY 3 - 3
05/11/1977 League / D4H ALDERSHOT 1 - 1
28/10/1977 League / D4A STOCKPORT COUNTY 1 - 2
17/09/1977 League / D4A READING 1 - 3
14/09/1977 Football League Cup / 2RA HULL CITY 0 - 1
09/09/1977 League / D4H NORTHAMPTON TOWN 3 - 1
03/09/1977 League / D4A WIMBLEDON 2 - 2
31/08/1977 Football League Cup / 2H HULL CITY 2 - 2
27/08/1977 League / D4H HARTLEPOOL 1 - 1
20/08/1977 League / D4H SCUNTHORPE UNITED 1 - 1
16/08/1977 Football League Cup / 12LH TRANMERE ROVERS 2 - 2
13/08/1977 Football League Cup / 11LA TRANMERE ROVERS 1 - 0

Games where player has scored

Date Competition Venue Opponents Score
28/11/1984FA Trophy / 2QA WORKSOP TOWN 1 - 6
27/11/1984Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpH MARINE 3 - 0
03/11/1984League / D6A GOOLE TOWN 2 - 2
30/10/1984League / D6H WITTON ALBION 5 - 2
08/09/1984League / D6A STAFFORD RANGERS 2 - 0
01/09/1984League / D6H MACCLESFIELD TOWN 2 - 2
04/08/1984Cambrian CupA BURSCOUGH 2 - 1
21/04/1984League / D6A MORECAMBE 2 - 1
01/04/1984League / D6A WORKSOP TOWN 1 - 0
07/02/1984Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpA LEYLAND MOTORS 3 - 1
03/12/1983League / D6H MOSSLEY 4 - 2
22/11/1983Lancashire Floodlit Trophy / GpA SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3 - 0
09/11/1983Liverpool Senior Cup / 1H SKELMERSDALE UNITED 4 - 3
15/10/1983FA Cup / 3QA HORWICH RMI 1 - 2
10/10/1983League / D6H RHYL 3 - 0
08/10/1983League / D6A BUXTON 2 - 3
24/09/1983League / D6H GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 2 - 1
23/04/1983League / D6A OSWESTRY TOWN 2 - 2
26/03/1983League / D6H BURTON ALBION 2 - 1
26/02/1983League / D6H TAMWORTH 1 - 0
05/02/1983League / D6A GOOLE TOWN 2 - 1
22/01/1983Lancashire Junior Cup / 1A MARINE 1 - 1
15/01/1983League / D6H GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 4 - 2
08/01/1983League / D6A BURTON ALBION 2 - 3
27/12/1982League / D6H MARINE 2 - 1
04/12/1982League / D6A MOSSLEY 4 - 1
27/11/1982FA Trophy / 2QH GATESHEAD (1977) 2 - 0
13/11/1982League / D6H GOOLE TOWN 3 - 1
28/08/1982League / D6A TAMWORTH 3 - 2
25/08/1982League / D6H WORKINGTON 1 - 2
21/08/1982League / D6H WORKSOP TOWN 3 - 2
07/08/1982Cambrian CupA MARINE 1 - 1
17/04/1982League / D6H BURTON ALBION 2 - 1
27/02/1982League / D6A SOUTH LIVERPOOL 1 - 0
10/02/1982Northern Premier League Cup / 3RH WORKINGTON 1 - 2
07/02/1982League / D6A WORKSOP TOWN 1 - 1
21/01/1982Lancashire Junior Cup / 2RA SOUTH LIVERPOOL 2 - 1
02/01/1982Lancashire Junior Cup / 2H SOUTH LIVERPOOL 1 - 1
12/12/1981League / D6A GRANTHAM TOWN 1 - 2
24/11/1981League / D6A MARINE 4 - 1
14/11/1981League / D6H WORKSOP TOWN 4 - 1
24/10/1981FA Trophy / 1QA NANTWICH TOWN 1 - 2
17/10/1981League / D6H GRANTHAM TOWN 2 - 1
13/10/1981League / D6A MACCLESFIELD TOWN 1 - 1
10/10/1981League / D6H GATESHEAD (1977) 2 - 0
26/09/1981Northern Premier League Cup / 2H GOOLE TOWN 3 - 1
22/09/1981League / D6A BURTON ALBION 2 - 0
14/09/1981Northern Premier League Cup / 1R2LA NETHERFIELD 2 - 1
05/09/1981League / D6A MOSSLEY 2 - 4
25/08/1981League / D6H MORECAMBE 2 - 1
22/08/1981League / D6A MATLOCK TOWN 4 - 1
18/08/1981League / D6A WORKINGTON 2 - 3
29/04/1978League / D4A WATFORD 2 - 3
22/04/1978League / D4H HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 - 1
24/03/1978League / D4H STOCKPORT COUNTY 2 - 0
18/03/1978League / D4A HALIFAX TOWN 1 - 2
28/10/1977League / D4A STOCKPORT COUNTY 1 - 2
31/08/1977Football League Cup / 2H HULL CITY 2 - 2
16/08/1977Football League Cup / 12LH TRANMERE ROVERS 2 - 2

Latest Updates

Nov 2023 Update – Big Help Group Takeover

30th November 2023 Daniel Hayes

Since 1888

23rd November 2023 Daniel Hayes 2

Sam Shrouder – RIP

16th November 2023 Daniel Hayes 1

Match Report – Non-League Paper – 17/09/23

17th September 2023 Daniel Hayes