Profile

Tom Cooper is considered one of England's greatest full-backs.

He was an excellent tackler and a quality passer of the ball. He joined Liverpool late in his blossoming career at 30-years-old having played 15 internationals for England and captained his country twice from 1927-1934. He surely would have more caps to his name but for injuries that caused cartilages from both knees being removed. Cooper was a regular in Liverpool's defence during the five years that preceded the outbreak of the Second World War. He replaced right-back William Steel at Chelsea on December 8, 1934, and only missed two more league matches for the rest of that 1934-35 season.

He played in 127 of the 168 games that comprised the next four League seasons but the start of the war curtailed his Football League career, just as it did for so many of his colleagues. Tom's selection for the final fixture of the 1938-39 season, a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United was the last of his 160 appearances for the club.

Cooper died in a motorcycle accident when serving with the military police in Aldeburgh on June 25, 1940. He collided with a lorry and an enquiry took place into his death with the outcome being an order that stated despatch riders were no longer allowed to ride their motorcycles without wearing a crash helmet.

Other Clubs:
Longton, Trentham (both amateur), Port Vale, Derby County; Wrexham (wartime guest)