George Cooper (footballer, born 2002)

George Cooper

Personal information
Full name	Frank George Cooper
Date of birth	25 October 2002
Place of birth	England
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Mansfield Town
Number	19
Youth career
	Mansfield Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–	Mansfield Town	0	(0)
2021–2022	→ Kettering Town (loan)	24	(2)
2022–2023	→ Kettering Town (loan)	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:00, 7 May 2022 (UTC)

Frank George Cooper (born 25 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Mansfield Town.

Playing career

Cooper turned professional at Mansfield Town in May 2021 after impressing academy manager Richard Cooper with his consistent performances. He made his senior debut on 31 August under the stewardship of Nigel Clough, coming on for Tyrese Sinclair as a 77th-minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat at Harrogate Town in the EFL Trophy. He was handed a full debut on 5 October, in a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at Field Mill, and was described as "impressive" in Mansfield-based newspaper Chad. On 1 December, he joined Kettering Town – who were coached by former Mansfield manager Paul Cox – of the National League North on an initial one-month loan. He scored a goal from 30-yards in a 4–0 victory at Leamington on 18 December. He added another goal with a header in a 3–0 win over Curzon Ashton at Latimer Park on 15 January. New manager Ian Culverhouse ensured Cooper's loan was extended after he scored two goals in eight appearances. He was absent throughout March due to injury. He was named as man of the match playing in the central role of a back three during a 1–0 home win over Gloucester City on 15 April. Speaking five days later, Cooper stated that he was enjoying his time at the club: "I love the place to be fair and, for my development, I have learnt so much and I am still learning week in and week out. It's massive for me to come and play men’s football and get quite a lot of game time." He made a total of 24 appearances for Kettering in the 2021–22 season, scoring two goals. Mansfield opted to extend his contract at the end of the season. In June 2022, Cooper returned to Kettering Town on loan.

Personal life

As of October 2021, Cooper was studying sports science at Nottingham Trent University’s Mansfield campus.

Statistics

As of match played 7 May 2022

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Mansfield Town	2021–22	EFL League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	3	0
Kettering Town (loan)	2021–22	National League North	24	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	2
Career total			24	2	0	0	0	0	3	0	27	2