COOP: The Life of Davie Cooper - Scottish Football Hero

by Neil Drysdale

Davie Cooper was without doubt one of Scotland's greatestever footballers, a man who excited and entertained crowds across the globe, whether with Rangers or Scotland, or later in his career, as part of Motherwell's 1991 Scottish Cup-winning side. He relished the big stage and although he unquestionably had the ability to play at any level, he always preferred to stay true to his roots as a local hero in the West of Scotland. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1995 when this larger-thanlife character who had enjoyed an incredible career died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage at the age of just thirty-nine. Now, in Coop, author Neil Drysdale examines the life of this sporting idol and includes exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in football, including Sir Alex Ferguson, Gordon Smith, Craig Brown, Tom Boyd, Bobby Russell and Andy Roxburgh. But it also gives the fans who applauded his talents at Rangers, Motherwell and Clydebank the chance to pay homage to his myriad gifts and to remember his astonishing talents. Engrossing, insightful and entertaining, Coop is the story of a true star and a heartfelt portrait of a man who was taken from us far too soon.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2013

Reviews

[Andrew Slorance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story; awful writing

The Davie Cooper story is fascinating, inspiring and tragic in equal measure. It deserved a better writer than Drysdale to tell it. I like to think of myself as well read but I'm convinced that Drysdale sought to introduce at least one dictionary-defying word into each chapter. It was like he was showing off: "This might be a fitba book about a working class hero but look at all these big rare words I can write, you plebs". His constant use of the word confrere really grated. And some of his metaphors were buttock clenchingly awful.

[MR RP MCKEAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into the life of a true blue.

Good portrayal of a modest hero. Let's us see in these days of obscene money, how things used to be.

[G.B. Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davie Cooper gave mere mortals the hope that they could achieve a tenth of what he could do on a bad day because he made it seem so easy. Scottish football, while being blessed with some outstanding players, is a darker place with out Davie. This book gives a glimpse into this great man's life, it was well researched and well written. The reader could tell that there was a very personal feel to this title, Drysdale was a fan and this came across. It is a fascinating insight into one of Scottish football's true legendary players.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent biography, but hindered by the fact that Cooper has been dead for 20 years and wasn't so ego-driven as to leave a huge body of revealing interviews behind.

Too little on Davie's life away from the pitch and what made him tick, too much time spent on World Cups where he barely featured.