Liam Cooper: 'I'll prove Hull City were wrong to let me go'
LIAM Cooper is determined to prove Hull City boss Steve Bruce wrong after embarking on a fresh chapter of his career with a move to Chesterfield.
Cooper's nine-year association with the Tigers was ended at the weekend when he opted to turn a successful loan spell with the Spireites into a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
Accepting defeat in a long-held "dream" of regular football with his hometown club, Cooper now hopes his two-and-a-half-year deal with the League Two outfit can be the spark needed to rekindle a once bright career.
Although handed a Premier League debut against Liverpool at the age of 17 in September 2009, a lack of opportunities under a succession of City managers saw the defender struggle to live up to early expectations.
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Bruce's arrival at the start of the season ultimately marked the beginning of the end for Cooper's hopes, but he intends to use City's rejection as a motivation to climb back into the Championship.
"It was a hard decision to make because I was a hometown boy and it was always my dream to play for Hull City," Cooper told the Mail.
"I'd have loved to have done that for the rest of my career but unfortunately it got to the stage where I knew I had to leave.
"The manager (Steve Bruce) made it clear at the start of the season that I wasn't going to be in his plans.
"He wanted to bring in experience and that's fair enough. Of course, that's frustrating but that's football. It's a game of opinions.
"I've got to go and prove a few people wrong now. I'll be getting my head down and looking to do that by getting back into the Championship over the next couple of years."
Despite earning a debut at 16 in a League Cup defeat to Swansea in August 2008, Cooper leaves the KC Stadium having made a total of just 17 appearances.
The 21-year-old's most promising run of form came at the end of last season when starting seven consecutive games in what proved to be the final throes of Nick Barmby's reign.
The arrival of Abdoulaye Faye and Alex Bruce, as well as the return to prominence of Paul McShane, pushed Cooper to the back of the queue once more this term and led to an initial loan move to Chesterfield in November.
"I've needed first-team football over the last couple of years and for a few of the managers I've played under I was still being seen as a young kid," he explained.
"I served under five different managers during my time with City and it can be difficult to convince the next new manager to give you a crack.
"Nick Barmby showed a lot of faith in me at the end of last season and I did pretty well when I got the chance. But sometimes it's just not meant to be."
With Cooper's City deal due to expire at the end of this season, a long-term deal with the Spireites provides security and optimism.
"Paul Cook (Chesterfield boss) has shown a lot of trust in me and that means a lot," he added.
"There's a great bunch of lads here who can do well. We're underachieving at the minute in 11th, but we're confident of pushing up the league."
Comments
by stantheman
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 8:31PM
“Its thanks to Hull City that you are a professional footballer today Liam.
The club cannot sign every local lad just for the sake of it. Friend of mines son has just won an apprenticeship at Scunthorpe, and he's delighted and Hull City through and through.
That's football pal.
I don't think Phil Brown did you any favours throwing you in at the deep end when you were 17 against Torres at Liverpool. Especially with Sonko alongside you.
But good luck at Chesterfield and with the rest of your career, just don't bite the hand that fed you because you never know what is around the corner. Example Dean Windass.”
by Cluhead
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 5:42PM
“Goodluck Liam! Take heart from Scot Wiseman! rejected at city and has had a host of Premier League and Championship clubs interested in him! Although i thought he would of gone to a bigger club than Blackpool! Chin up kid! Knuckle down and i'm sure we will see you in a city shirt in the future! Best regards!”
by HCFCOK
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 5:21PM
“Good to see you have moved on Liam,your a good centre back. It's a pity your not doing it at City any more mate but at least you did manage to wear the famour Black and Amber shirt.
Good luck.”
by qualitychap
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 4:39PM
“unfortunately city have a lot of good centre backs at the club,nothing fills me with more pride,than a hull lad playing for the tigers,having seen many good local footballers in this area,fail to make the grade.
Liam,i wish you all the best and hope you progress in the great career,which is professional football,and you never know,one day might return too your home town club,like barmby and windass did.UTT.”
by Ted7777
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 9:50AM
“I get the sense there's some sour grapes from Cooper. I am not sure that his refusal to go out on loan to Portsmouth helped his cause. Additionally, I think it's fanciful to think that he would be challenging to start with the current players we already have at City's disposal. I.e. Hobbs, Faye, Chester etc.
That said, good luck to him.”
by verbalkint1
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 9:50AM
“Not good enough for this level, never was, never will be. simple.”
by takeitinmy
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 9:40AM
“Why the parting shot at Bruce ? None of our managers played Cooper on a regular basis.
Got the attributes to have a successful career. Hope he does well.”
by goldenspecial
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 9:06AM
“No chance of a centre half with white boots playing in a Steve Bruce team he's too old skool.
However best wishes and good luck at Chesterfield Liam”
by adolfo
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 9:02AM
“Good player, face just did not fit, will make the grade though, he will shine in the lower leagues,
good luck to you!”
by ianhale1965
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 8:44AM
“Very disappointed to see you go. Good Luck Liam. Best of luck”