George Cooper (footballer, born 2002)

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

George Cooper
Personal information
Full name Frank George Cooper[1]
Date of birth (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002[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)
2021–2022 → Kettering Town (loan) 24 (2)
2022–2023 → Kettering Town (loan) 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:00, 7 May 2022 (UTC)

Playing career

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

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

Statistics
As of match played 7 May 2022
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Mansfield Town 2021–22[17]EFL League Two0000003[lower-alpha 1]030
Kettering Town (loan) 2021–22[1]National League North242000000242
Career total 242000030272
  1. Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy.

References
  1. 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.
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