Duncan Cooper (footballer)

Edwin Duncan Cooper (3 November 1879 – 12 February 1951) was an English footballer who played at left-back for Witton Albion and Burslem Port Vale in the early 1900s.

Duncan Cooper
Personal information
Full name Edwin Duncan Cooper[1][2]
Date of birth 3 November 1879[3][4]
Place of birth Middlewich, Cheshire
Date of death 12 February 1951 (aged 79)[1]
Place of death Arclid, Cheshire
Position(s) Left-back
Youth career
Witton Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1901–1903 Burslem Port Vale 5 (0)
Total 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

edit

At age 17, Cooper played for Witton Albion[1] before joining Burslem Port Vale in November 1901.[5] His debut came at the Athletic Ground in a 1–1 draw with Stockport County on 14 December.[5] He was unable to gain a regular place, however, and after playing only four more Second Division games in the 1901–02 season he was released at the end of the 1902–03 season.[5] He received an offer from Manchester City but left football to focus on his business and hobbies.[1]

Personal life

edit

Cooper joined his father's business as a leather craftsman and saddler for many decades in Middlewich, where he was captain of the Middlewich Fire Brigade. He was also an avid beekeeper and billiards coach. He died in 1951 at Arclid Hospital after a long illness.[1] In 1946, his wife, Lucy, died by suicide while in poor health.[6] They had two sons and two daughters.[1]

Career statistics

edit

Source:[7]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Burslem Port Vale 1901–02 Second Division 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
1902–03 Second Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f "Death of a Craftsman – The Late Mr. Duncan Cooper". Winsford Chronicle. 17 February 1951. p. 6. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ 1881 England Census
  3. ^ 1939 England and Wales Register
  4. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837–1915
  5. ^ a b c Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 66. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0. ASIN 0952915200.
  6. ^ "Missing Three Weeks – Woman Found Drowned in Canal – Fits of Depression After Major Operations". Winsford Chronicle. 11 January 1947. p. 2.
  7. ^ Duncan Cooper at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)