16 Facts About James Coppinger

James Coppinger was born on 18 January 1981 and is an English former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

James Coppinger began his career at Newcastle United, making one appearance in the Premier League, and later spent two years at Exeter City, but is best known for his association with Doncaster Rovers, whom he represented over seventeen seasons between 2004 and his retirement in 2021.

James Coppinger's performance led manager Robson calling him to Newcastle United's squad and just played once in the Premier League as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur on 26 August 2000.

However, James Coppinger later stated that as a teenager from a small town he was not fully prepared for life as a top-level professional player and he struggled to make any impact while coming through the Newcastle ranks.

James Coppinger made his debut at Shrewsbury Town on 10 August 2002, netting his first goal two weeks later against Torquay United.

James Coppinger was a constant feature in the side from the start, though in that first season, he failed to score in his 38 appearances.

James Coppinger was in Doncaster's starting eleven for the final, which Doncaster won, gaining promotion to the Championship.

On 9 September 2016, James Coppinger won the Football League Two Player of the Month for the month of August.

James Coppinger confirmed that after 16 years at the club, this would be his final season as a professional footballer.

In commemoration of his seventeen-year career with Doncaster, James Coppinger was commissioned to design the club's third kit in support of the CALM charity.

James Coppinger came on as a second-half substitute and scored a direct free kick to equalise in stoppage time.

James Coppinger is the 21st player in Football League history to reach this milestone.

On 29 April 2021, in the EFL End of Season awards, James Coppinger was awarded the Sir Tom Finney award, presented to a player who has contributed an enormous amount to the EFL during their career.

On 9 May 2021, James Coppinger announced his retirement after club record of 695 games.

In January 2013, along with several other people, including fellow footballers, James Coppinger faced a race-fixing inquiry with allegations of corruption in gambling on horses to lose on Betting exchanges in nine races between 1 November 2010 and 31 March 2011.

James Coppinger received the Freedom of the Borough of Doncaster on 21 May 2022.