crichiejambos Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Twenty years since he passed away! always thought he was quite a down to earth kind o guy and on his day unplayable! Blighted with being inconsistent! Never had that I'm aware of had an issue with us! Wouldn't have minded him playing for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toxteth O'Grady Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Very good player often too good for his team mates. I recall a game when he was ripping us and John Grieg subbed him for some reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggersBroom Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 He was before my time, but he looked an incredible dribbler. He did not have electrifying pace, and had no right foot, yet he could skin a player effortlessly. What I really love about the guy is his incredible loyalty. Football fans of all teams love loyalty, especially from the most gifted of players. Davie Cooper had offers to go down south, and could have played on the continent, but he was happy playing for his boyhood heroes for as long as he could. Maybe some older guys on here could share their memories of him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingantti1874 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Ridiculously good player.. What a left foot... incredible that he didn't get that many caps... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john brownlee Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 When did he play for Heart of Midlothian ???? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigolo-Aunt Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 One of the most skilful players of his generation - quality player on his day. There is an excellent documentary on him knocking about on Youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldar Hadzimehmedovic Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Amazing player. Probably suffered internationally from the same thing Hoddle and Waddle are perceived to have suffered for England - managers didn't know what to do with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noidletalk81 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 As a player, he was one of the finest talents to ever grace the game, not just in Scottish Football, he could have played anywhere! Sadly the stories I was later told by Tony Fitzpatrick's brother left a nasty taste in my mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crichiejambos Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 As a player, he was one of the finest talents to ever grace the game, not just in Scottish Football, he could have played anywhere! Sadly the stories I was later told by Tony Fitzpatrick's brother left a nasty taste in my mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serj Tankian Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Sadly the stories I was later told by Tony Fitzpatrick's brother left a nasty taste in my mouth. Tell more I had a run in with him early 80's after the game league cup game I think midweek . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crichiejambos Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Was there not a rumour he had a major issue with Rangers signing Maurice Johnstone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoda Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 The Sun ran a story just before he died saying he was a "love rat". Probably tame compared what the Thumb's got up to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noidletalk81 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Tell more I had a run in with him early 80's after the game league cup game I think midweek . Well tragically Fitzy's young son (aged 6) passed away from Leukaemia in 1983, apparently the following weekend they were playing Rangers at Love Street, Fitzy came on as a sub and Cooper approached him off the ball and mocked the death of his son, in a way that I shall not repeat. Fitzy of course lost the plot and went for Cooper, resulting in him getting sent off...dragged off the pitch in tears whilst Cooper stood smiling. I worked with his brother for ten years and is a very honest and humble individual, when he told me the story he was also very emotional and it still very much angered the family years later. This is also a well known fact amongst buddies fans also. Wonderful Footballer, not a very nice human being! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perth to Paisley Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 He was an excellent player. ..but from memory be never really got the upper hand on Zico. Wattie always seem to win that duel. 20 years though..wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendricks Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Scored the first Scotland goal I saw live at Hampden, against Australia in the WC play off match in 1985. A wand of a left foot. Goal at 17.45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Gin Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Exclamation marks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 When did he play for Heart of Midlothian ???? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk The TerraceFor discussion of HMFC and football in general Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendricks Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Of course his biggest Scotland goal was the night big Jock died against Wales Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendricks Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 One of the most skilful players of his generation - quality player on his day. There is an excellent documentary on him knocking about on Youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Exclamation marks! needs more. Excellent player- Ruud Gullit was a huge fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamboelite Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 A tremendous player and world class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Benn Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Seem to remember him playing against us for Clydebank at Tynie in the cup in his final season as a player. Got subbed and received quite an ovation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey1874 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 just listened to last nights Sportsound - Craig Brown said back in 1975 while at Motherwell they sent a scout to watch him at Clydebank. Scored him 38 out of 100 - no right foot, couldn't head the ball, didn't tackle. They didn't sign him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldar Hadzimehmedovic Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Seem to remember him playing against us for Clydebank at Tynie in the cup in his final season as a player. Got subbed and received quite an ovation. Think that was just a few weeks before he died. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invernessjt Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 just listened to last nights Sportsound - Craig Brown said back in 1975 while at Motherwell they sent a scout to watch him at Clydebank. Scored him 38 out of 100 - no right foot, couldn't head the ball, didn't tackle. They didn't sign him. That was a pretty good appraisal of him.Not as good a player as everyone makes out IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Didn't we gob on him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iainmac Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 He was an excellent player. ..but from memory be never really got the upper hand on Zico. Wattie always seem to win that duel. 20 years though..wow In Sandy Clark's book, he tells a story of bumping into Cooper as came off the Rangers team bus at Tynecastle. They obviously had played together at Ibrox previously. The first thing Cooper said to Sandy was "Hi Sandy. Is that psycho Jack Nicholson character playing right back for you today?" "Yup". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewYorkJambo Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Didn't we gob on him? Yes, he was spat on by a Hearts fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack D and coke Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Well tragically Fitzy's young son (aged 6) passed away from Leukaemia in 1983, apparently the following weekend they were playing Rangers at Love Street, Fitzy came on as a sub and Cooper approached him off the ball and mocked the death of his son, in a way that I shall not repeat. Fitzy of course lost the plot and went for Cooper, resulting in him getting sent off...dragged off the pitch in tears whilst Cooper stood smiling. I worked with his brother for ten years and is a very honest and humble individual, when he told me the story he was also very emotional and it still very much angered the family years later. This is also a well known fact amongst buddies fans also. Wonderful Footballer, not a very nice human being! Jesus that's very low if true. Thats sullied my memory of cooper tbh I thought he was a good lad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldar Hadzimehmedovic Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Well tragically Fitzy's young son (aged 6) passed away from Leukaemia in 1983, apparently the following weekend they were playing Rangers at Love Street, Fitzy came on as a sub and Cooper approached him off the ball and mocked the death of his son, in a way that I shall not repeat. Fitzy of course lost the plot and went for Cooper, resulting in him getting sent off...dragged off the pitch in tears whilst Cooper stood smiling. I worked with his brother for ten years and is a very honest and humble individual, when he told me the story he was also very emotional and it still very much angered the family years later. This is also a well known fact amongst buddies fans also. Wonderful Footballer, not a very nice human being! I didn't know anything about that story - either that of Fitzpatrick's son or the Cooper confrontation. Just read a bit about it. Fitzpatrick seems like a good guy - tragic what happened to him. Unfortunately while Googling I came across references on Rangers forums to "Tony the taig" and "Tony Scumpatrick", both while discussing his six year old dying from cancer. There really are some horrible, horrible people in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggersBroom Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Of course his biggest Scotland goal was the night big Jock died against Wales Watching that, were there any Wales fans in the stadium? When Coopers penalty goes in, the fans look incredible! Absolute bedlam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendricks Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Watching that, were there any Wales fans in the stadium? When Coopers penalty goes in, the fans look incredible! Absolute bedlam! Indeed, there must have been a lot more people in there than had tickets. Check out the Scotland crowd at Anfield when we played Wales there in the 1977 qualifying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noidletalk81 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Jesus that's very low if true. Thats sullied my memory of cooper tbh I thought he was a good lad. I didn't know anything about that story - either that of Fitzpatrick's son or the Cooper confrontation. Just read a bit about it. Fitzpatrick seems like a good guy - tragic what happened to him. Unfortunately while Googling I came across references on Rangers forums to "Tony the taig" and "Tony Scumpatrick", both while discussing his six year old dying from cancer. There really are some horrible, horrible people in the world. Sadly I believe it is very much true from the sincerity expressed to me personally by Tony's brother. It's funny I recall the incident at the time been described as a 'flashpoint' in the match report but never actually witnessed the footage. The nature of Tony's reaction tells you all you need to know, I was told. I think Tony thought Cooper was going to say a few respectful words and then to be hit with that must of been utterly surreal. It's crazy to think why the Referee and media didn't question the fact Cooper clearly provoked him, but knowing the pro Hun bias as it was back then perhaps explains that. Apparently Rikki McFarlane (the manager at the time) and the players whom dragged Tony off the park had approached the Referee post match and reported the incident but were shunned away, as they were with this press also. The Buddies I have known throughout the years have also sad memories of that day, they do not remember Cooper well at all. I believe Tony did try to get his story across at the time and years later (without making a song and dance about it) but no one wanted to touch it. Sad that such a wonderful talent is remembered by some (inc myself) for all the wrong reasons, perhaps unfair but such an unthinkable villainous act overshadows anything he ever done on a Football park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister T Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Seem to remember him playing against us for Clydebank at Tynie in the cup in his final season as a player. Got subbed and received quite an ovation.That was his last game. He died the following week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobreath Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 No doubting his skill but he was also inconsistent, very niggly and liked a dive to himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbee647 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Was there not a rumour he had a major issue with Rangers signing Maurice Johnstone! The story goes " he approached MOJO and said "what the **** is he doing here" ? Although a good player on his day, he was certainly no world beater as suggested, and like Paul McStay and many others of old firm persuasion over the years he was vastly overhyped by the Glasgow media. Not a patch on Paul Sturrock who was a contemporary. I can only remember once at Tynecastle being impressed by Cooper, when he scored a great goal dribbling along the touch line at the Gorgie Road end (1987) , any other time at Tynecastle he couldn't get out of Walter Kidds back pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantjambo Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 When did he play for Heart of Midlothian ???? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bill Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Let's just say he was "wan ay" their "ain" when it came to political/religious matters. As a footballer, just fantastic when on his game. One of the top ten players I've even seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spellczech Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 He could be very good and the skills he had with his left foot were probably exceptional, but as noted above, he was nowhere near the complete footballer, and since he only became "world class" after he died, you have to suspect it was the shock of his dying young and fact he played for Rangers that boosted his reputation (Christ, it has been a long time since I've written "Rangers"!!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world_3 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Never really got the hype with Cooper. Nowhere remotely near as good as John Robertson who was the Scotland winger in the years before Cooper finally established himself in a rapidly declining Scotland team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3fingersreid Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 That's the first time I've heard the story about him and Fitzpatrick , very sad . On a footballing note his free kick against aberdeen in the league cup final was a bit of a screamer the noise it made when it hits the net is incredible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I P Knightley Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Sadly I believe it is very much true from the sincerity expressed to me personally by Tony's brother. It's funny I recall the incident at the time been described as a 'flashpoint' in the match report but never actually witnessed the footage. The nature of Tony's reaction tells you all you need to know, I was told. I think Tony thought Cooper was going to say a few respectful words and then to be hit with that must of been utterly surreal. It's crazy to think why the Referee and media didn't question the fact Cooper clearly provoked him, but knowing the pro Hun bias as it was back then perhaps explains that. Apparently Rikki McFarlane (the manager at the time) and the players whom dragged Tony off the park had approached the Referee post match and reported the incident but were shunned away, as they were with this press also. The Buddies I have known throughout the years have also sad memories of that day, they do not remember Cooper well at all. I believe Tony did try to get his story across at the time and years later (without making a song and dance about it) but no one wanted to touch it. Sad that such a wonderful talent is remembered by some (inc myself) for all the wrong reasons, perhaps unfair but such an unthinkable villainous act overshadows anything he ever done on a Football park. Not at all unfair. It's the same with so many 'fallen idols' in sport: Gazza, Best & Hurricane Higgins (wife-beaters); Ched Evans & Loic Remy; rapists, thieves & racists all over the place. On balance, I'd rather find true heroes like Dave Mackay than try to gloss over the nastiness in so many other people in order to keep them on their pedestal. As a relative youngster, I'd be pleased to see Davie Cooper turn out for Scotland, I thought he had something decent about him on the park. The stories of him (not always) off the park, though? In my eyes, he doesn't merit adulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomaso Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Well tragically Fitzy's young son (aged 6) passed away from Leukaemia in 1983, apparently the following weekend they were playing Rangers at Love Street, Fitzy came on as a sub and Cooper approached him off the ball and mocked the death of his son, in a way that I shall not repeat. Fitzy of course lost the plot and went for Cooper, resulting in him getting sent off...dragged off the pitch in tears whilst Cooper stood smiling. I worked with his brother for ten years and is a very honest and humble individual, when he told me the story he was also very emotional and it still very much angered the family years later. This is also a well known fact amongst buddies fans also. Wonderful Footballer, not a very nice human being! Disgusted by that. I always thought Cooper was totally over rated as a player. Seems he was also over rated as a human being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Never really got the hype with Cooper. Nowhere remotely near as good as John Robertson who was the Scotland winger in the years before Cooper finally established himself in a rapidly declining Scotland team. Disgusted by that. I always thought Cooper was totally over rated as a player. Seems he was also over rated as a human being. That's the page I'm on. All that "Moody Blue" pish the media spouted too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego10 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Great player on his day. Didn't produce nearly enough for all his ability. Very much an old school Rangers Man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH11_2NL Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 The story goes " he approached MOJO and said "what the **** is he doing here" ? Although a good player on his day, he was certainly no world beater as suggested, and like Paul McStay and many others of old firm persuasion over the years he was vastly overhyped by the Glasgow media. Not a patch on Paul Sturrock who was a contemporary. I can only remember once at Tynecastle being impressed by Cooper, when he scored a great goal dribbling along the touch line at the Gorgie Road end (1987) , any other time at Tynecastle he couldn't get out of Walter Kidds back pocket. Absolutely this. X 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector reva Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 He was some player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floyd Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 When did he play for Heart of Midlothian ???? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Just when I think that you can't spout more pish than you have before, you come out with crackers like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinger Bell Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Agrre with jb647 In that both Cooper and McStay were over-rated.Good players ? yes but nothing special but the weegie hype of the media,had to find darlings to appease both sets of fans.There were better players around In Scotland at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allowayjambo1874 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I always felt he was over rated until the day he dribbled past 4 Hearts players and scored in a 1-1 draw at Tynie, he seemed untouchable that day. However, I only ever saw him play v us and Wattie Kidd had the hex on him, Zico was very limited as a player but he knew how to play Cooper and he played him perfectly time after time. The story about Fitzpatrick is a shocker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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