JIM CALLS IT A DAY
Former Met Police and Grays boss Jim Cooper is retiring
MET POLICE legend Jim Cooper says it was the right time to retire from management with Grays Athletic top of the league – in order to spend more time with his family. The 53-year-old, who will also be retiring from his role as a police officer, spent 15 seasons at Met before taking charge of the Blues in February 2019.
His time at Grays was hampered by the pandemic but he went out on a high over the Bank Holiday weekend by hammering Basildon United 7-0 and then winning 2-1 at local rivals Aveley to hit the Isthmian League North summit.
“It was a decision I didn’t take lightly but without a doubt it’s the right one for me and my family,” Cooper told The NLP. “I’m due to finish in my role as a police officer very soon and this will allow me to spend a bit more time away with the family, play a bit more golf and it was just time to step away.”
Cooper played for Leytonstone & Ilford, Dagenham, Barking and Met before becoming their manager after a spell as assistant at Romford.
Proud
He led them to the Isthmian League Division One South title in 2011 and then established the club at Step 3, reaching the FA Cup first round and winning London Senior and Surrey Senior cups.
Cooper left in May 2018 due to the increased travel after the club was moved into the Southern League – but is proud of his long stint.
“I have so many fond memories at Met Police,” he said. “Winning the league on the last day of the season was a big one, it went right down to the wire. We ended up getting promoted on a plus-one goal difference better than Bognor, that sticks in my mind. The FA Cup run when we played Crawley in the first round proper was also good.
“I’m really proud of being a big factor in getting Met Police established. It’s now been taken on and improved by Gavin (Macpherson, manager) and I’m delighted for him and the club they’re still going from strength to strength.”
Powerhouse
Cooper admits Grays shock FA Cup preliminary round defeat at Baldock Town last month was a factor in his decision although he leaves the club in a good position.
“That really affected me and I didn’t want another occasion where I felt like that,” he said. “Coming to Grays and managing what I called a powerhouse of Non-League football was special being given the opportunity to manage a club of that stature.
“The club is on a good footing, they’ve got a very good squad of players down there. I’m very confident they will do extremely well. I’m glad I’ve left it in a good place, I’d have been gutted if I left it in a worse than when I joined.”
Cooper is already experiencing the benefits of retirement but will continue to keep tabs on the Non-League game which he adores.
“I had an appointment booked on Thursday evening and I actually smiled and thought at least I don’t have to rush around to go to training,” he admitted. “I still love Non-League football, I’m very passionate about the NonLeague scene and those players that have played for me.
“I got very emotional on Monday after the Aveley game. I think I’m really quite hard-nosed and heartless sometimes but I knew that was the end of it. It’s been a really good career, I’ve met so many nice people and made life-long friends.”