Steve Cooper (footballer, born 1964)


Stephen Brian Cooper was an English footballer who played as a forward. Best known for his time spent with Airdrieonians, his headed goal in the semi-final at Hampden against Hearts ensured that his side made it to the 1995 Scottish Cup final and he played the full 90 minutes against Celtic as the Diamonds lost 1–0 to a Pierre van Hooijdonk goal.
Before joining Airdrie, Cooper played for a number of clubs in England, most notably Tranmere Rovers, where he scored twice in Tranmere's successful playoff campaign in 1991 through which the club were promoted to the First Division, and also scored in the club's 3–2 defeat against Cooper's former club Birmingham City in the Associate Members' Cup Final, also in 1991. In 1984, he had a loan spell in the Netherlands with NAC Breda.
For Peterborough United, Cooper came off the bench to score a late diving header to win the 1992 Third Division play-off semi-final second leg against Huddersfield Town.
He was inducted into the Airdrie United Hall of Fame in 2004 as recognition of his service to the club.
He died in his sleep at his home in Yardley, Birmingham, on 15 February 2004, having unknowingly cracked his skull in a fall.