Clark set Tattie on the road to silverware
Former Aberdeen and Scotland goalkeeper Bobby Clark was stunned when word reached him in the United States that Neale Cooper had passed away.
The midfielder, part of the Dons’ triumphant European Cup-winners’ Cup side, died last Monday following a fall.
Clark, who was at Aberdeen for 17 years from 1965, combined playing in goal with coaching youngsters in his latter time at Pittodrie.
He helped Cooper land silverware long before he was part of the side that defeated Real Madrid in Gothenburg in 1983.
Now 72, Clark said: “It was very, very sad news about Neale.
“Lennie Taylor and I coached him for three years in the youth programme at Aberdeen when he was still at school.
“He was an excellent player, and had a very warm and jovial personality. “Aberdeen’s Under-15 squad also doubled as the city’s school team, and they won the Scottish Schools Cup by beating Ayrshire in the Final.” “That squad also had Brian Mitchell and John Hewitt (scorer of the winning goal in Gothenburg), who went on to play with Neale at Pittodrie.”
Cooper, nicknamed Tattie during his career, picked up two Premier League titles, four Scottish Cups and the League Cup in his time as a Dons player.
He also won the First Division title with Dunfermline.
He wasn’t as successful as a manager with Ross County, Hartlepool, Gillingham and Peterhead, but his qualities still shone through
Speaking from Indiana, Clark – who is retiring from his position as head coach at the University of Notre Dame later this month – added: “The last time I met Neale was when I took the Notre Dame team over to Scotland for a pre-season tour.
“We played Formartine, Banks o’ Dee, and the Under-21 sides of Aberdeen, Dundee United and Ross County. “Neale was the Ross County manager at the time, and he came into the dressing room after the game and gave our team a nice talk.
“It was so very, very sad to hear of his passing.”