Joe’s big choice

Back to school for Oldham Athletic player Joe Cooper

JOE Cooper has revealed that he and his family thought long and hard before he quit Athletic in favour of university.

The 18-year-old defender shocked manager Lee Johnson when he asked to leave only five months into his first professional contract.

He had made one senior appearance, but decided a business and economics degree was the career direction to take.

The Springhead-based player - with Athletic since he was 10 - said: “This hasn’t been a rash decision, but I just felt that long-term, it was the best way for me to go.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with the club and I appreciate all they’ve done for me, but even after I’d signed my pro contract in April I applied to a couple of universities, just as a back-up.

“Once I received an offer at Leeds and spoken to my mum and dad, we all felt university would be a better option. A degree would give me a more solid foundation for a future career.

“Thankfully the whole process was pushed through a little bit quicker than normal and I’ve been able to enrol at Leeds Met. That’s it for three years now.”

Cooper began his course yesterday but hasn’t given up on football altogether: “I’ll get involved with the set-up at Leeds Met and just keep fit with them initially. Once I get settled in maybe I can have a look at playing some part-time football. I might need to if I want to earn a bit of extra money while I’m studying!”

Johnson will certainly miss Cooper, but the Athletic boss understands why the talented teenager has opted out.

“We believed he had a good chance to become a top player, but Joe is an intelligent lad and sometimes in life you decide to take a different route. I respect the decision.”