Bill Cope

John William Cope (23 November 1899 – 1 April 1979) was an English footballer who played at left-back and was noted for his tough-tackling ability. He played a total of 200 league games in a nine-year career in the Football League with Bolton Wanderers and Port Vale. He helped the "Valiants" to win the Third Division North title in the 1929–30 season. He returned to Port Vale shortly after World War II and remained as a coach at the club until shortly before his death.

Career Cope played for Leek Alexandra before he joined Bolton Wanderers at the age of 26, as the "Trotters" posted an eighth-place finish in the First Division in 1925–26. They rose to fourth place in 1926–27, before dropping down to seventh position in 1927–28. In the 1928–29 campaign, his last at Burnden Park, Bolton finished in 14th spot. They twice won the FA Cup during his time there, though he never featured in a cup final.

Cope signed with Port Vale in July 1929. He was a member of the 1929–1930 Third Division North title-winning season, featuring in 43 of the "Valiants" 45 games.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

1925–26 First Division

1926–27 First Division

1927–28 First Division

1928–29 First Division

79!!0!!7!!0!!86!!0

1929–20 Third Division North

1930–31 Second Division

1931–32 Second Division

1932–33 Second Division

1933–34 Second Division

121!!0!!8!!0!!129!!0

200!!0!!15!!0!!215!!0

A. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the League Cup, Football League Trophy, English Football League play-offs and Full Members Cup.

Honours Port Vale Football League Third Division North: 1929–30