Cooper on Winning Player of the Season
It speaks a lot for Michael Cooper’s humble character that, less than an hour after being named as the Argyle Supporters’ Player of the Season for 2022/23, when asked for his highlights of the season, he spoke about the man who replaced him longer than he spoke of himself.
In Cooper’s 29th Sky Bet League One game of the season, having played a starring role in helping Argyle to the top of the division, the 23-year-old goalkeeper ruptured his knee, in what would turn out to be a season-ending injury.
However, any doubts fans had about Callum Burton, the man who stepped into the boots – and the gloves – of Cooper, they were put to bed soon enough, as the Greens did not miss a step, and continued their winning ways, even without their number one number one. Callum was superb, and Argyle sealed promotion to the Championship with a win against Burton Albion in the penultimate game of the season, before clinching the title on the final day at Port Vale.
Speaking to Argyle TV, and being asked for his stand-out moments, Cooper said: “Against Sheffield Wednesday at home, I stretched out to my right and tipped one round the post. That was a bonkers game; that was a biggie.
“But what really settled it down was Accrington away. I was on holiday. We won 2-0 and Cal continued it all. He caught every cross, made every save. From then on, I just knew that we'd do it.
“As soon as Cal went into the team, I'm pretty sure everyone said: ‘we'll be fine’. It’s proven to be right. I'm pretty sure our points per game's gone up. He's been brilliant.”
At Argyle’s awards evening on Tuesday night, Cooper was presented with the Player of the Season trophy for the second time, joining an elite list of Pilgrims to win the award twice, including Paul Wotton, Graham Carey, Steve McCall and Carl Fletcher.
“I can't put it into words,” a visibly moved Cooper said. “Growing up through the academy, it’s something you could only dream of. Getting Young Player of the Season a few years back - that was as good as I thought it would get.
“To get the Supporters’ Player last year and this year, it just means so much, just seeing how much they support the club. I've known since such a young age how much the football means to them. As I've said for so long now, to get the club back to the Championship, there's so much effort that's gone into it behind the scenes, from the staff and the players -now that we're there, it is just the best feeling.
“I just can't wait to finally be a Championship player. It’s something that has been on my mind all season. I've been so desperate to get to get up so we can play in the Championship.
“I know how much I've missed it because when I've come on the pitch at full-time here against Burton and then at Port Vale, to get that buzz that you get off the fans. I haven't felt it for three months. To finally feel that again, it makes you realise how much the fans and winning three points means to you.
“I cannot wait to be part of it again.”
