COPPELL, STEPHEN JAMES
Forward 74-83
5ft 6" 10st 2lbs
b.Croxteth,Liverpool, 9th July 1955
Debut v Bolton (a) 8/3/75

Career:
Liverpool University
Tranmere Rovers am. June 73, pro Jan 74
UNITED Feb 75, retired due to injury Oct 83
Crystal Palace manager June 84-May 93

Steve Coppell made his debut for Tranmere rovers in Jan 1974, whilst
studying for a BSc degree at Liverpool University. He was destined for only
a brief stay in Third Div. football, as UNITED`s manager Tommy Docherty paid
60.000 pounds to bring him to OT after he had played just 38 matches for
Tranmere.

Coppell took over from Willie Morgan on UNITED`s right wing, playing in all
but one of the season`s final eleven matches. These produced eight wins and
three draws to round off in style the winning of the Second Division
championship. For the next eight seasons, Coppell was an automatic selection
but his role changed dramatically. Under Docherty he was a flying orthodox
winger who, with the equally lively Gordon Hill on the other flank, loved to
roast opposing full-backs with his surging runs, youthful exuberance and
telling crosses. Later, Dave Sexton converted Steve into a more considered
right midfield role which he tackled with typical verve, determination and
success until suffering a serious knee injury whilst playing for England in
Nov 1981. Three operations followed but by autumn 1983 he admitted defeat
and at only 28 his playing career was over.

His run of 206 consecutive League matches, between 15th Jan 77 and 7th
November 1981, is the longest-ever recorded by a UNITED player.He was an FA
Cup winner in 77 and and a finalist in 76 and 79; also a League Cup finalist
in 83. After one appearance for England U23 he won his first England Cap
against Italy in Nov 77 and went on to collect a total of 42 caps, scoring
seven goals for his country. An articulate former PFA chairman, he became
the League`s youngest manager when, in June 84, he took over at Crystal
Palace.

He steered them to promotion, via the play-offs in 89 and one year later to
the FA Cup Final where they were defeated, after a replay, by UNITED.
Inevitably there were predictions of a managerial future at OT, but agter
nine innovative years at Selhurst Park, Coppell resigned following Palace`s
relegation from the Premier League in May 93 and for over a year declined
various offers to return to the game.

Steve Coppell is the Chief Executive of the Football League Managers`
Association.    

Appearances:
FL  320 -  54 g
FAC  36 -   4 g
FLC  25 -   9 g
EUR  11 -   3 g   Total: 392 apps  70 goals
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Email from Matthew Hall 
Date sent:        Thu, 1 Aug 1996 

Seeing as Steve Coppell (a great number 7, too!) got a mention on the
last digest I'll throw in that he was responsible for me seeing MU play for
the first time. I was working in London and my boss knew Steve. It must
have been 91 (it's a long bus trip from Australia), when we played CP at
Selhurst Park (3-1 after going down 1-0). My boss had tickets (Palace
supporter) and when she found out that I was a red rang Steve and told him.
Sure enough two more tickets were delivered (!) to my work as guests of SC.

Me and my mate were invited back to my bosses house after the game - Steve
Coppell and some others were going there too - but I left before he got
there on account of being too nervous to meet the great man! :)

Apparently he still remains a MU supporter to this day and never minded CP
losing to MU (except after the FA Cup!).
A legend!
Matt
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t.b.cont Pt 18,  Pat Crerand 1962-71

Greetings to Manchester United Supporters "All Over The World".