Charlie Cooper

Charlie Terrence Cooper (born 1 May 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for National League North club Brackley Town.

Cooper began his career with Birmingham City, but never played for their first team. He spent time on loan at National League clubs York City and Forest Green Rovers before joining the latter on a permanent basis in 2017 after their promotion to the Football League. In 2018–19, he spent time on loan at League Two club Newport County and Boreham Wood of the National League. Cooper subsequently spent seasons with National League clubs FC Halifax Town, scoring once from 31 appearances, Woking and Wealdstone, before joining Oldham Athletic in 2022.

Life and career Early life and career Cooper is the son of former footballer Mark Cooper and grandson of England international Terry Cooper. He was born in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, while his father was a Hartlepool United player. The family later moved to the Midlands, where Cooper attended Alderbrook School in Solihull. Interviewed in early 2014, he assessed his strength as passing, and felt he needed to improve his heading.

National League football Cooper joined National League club Forest Green Rovers on a month's youth loan on 23 January 2016. He was an unused substitute for four matches He was a member of the Birmingham reserve team that lost the 2016 Birmingham Senior Cup final to National League North champions Solihull Moors.

On 26 October of the following season, he was loaned to another National League club, this time York City. He went straight into the starting eleven for the next match, at home to Sutton United. According to Dave Flett of the York Press, Cooper "introduced some much-needed forward thrust" to the midfield as the match ended 2–2. He started four more matches, all in the league,

On 9 December, Cooper rejoined Forest Green Roverswho were by that time under his father's managementfor another month. After he made five appearances during the month, Birmingham allowed the loan to be extended to the end of the season. He was a regular starter throughout his loan spell, and helped the club gain promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history. and he signed a two-year contract with Forest Green on 15 June 2017. He made his Football League debut on the opening day of the 2017–18 season, in the starting eleven for the League Two visit of Barnet to The New Lawn. He took the corner kick from which Christian Doidge headed Forest Green's first Football League goal, and played the whole of the match, which finished 2–2. Cooper scored his first senior goal on 19 August, contributing Forest Green's third goal with a "speculative strike" as his team came back from 2–0 and 3–1 down to beat Yeovil Town 4–3 and record their first win in the Football League. He established himself as a regular in the midfield, until knee damage, diagnosed as hyperextension of his left knee and bruising to the bone, sustained following a tackle in a match against Coventry City in mid-October, kept him out for six weeks. He returned to the side as a second-half substitute in an EFL Trophy match on 5 December, and then resumed his place in the starting eleven. He made his Newport debut on the opening day of the season, as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 defeat at Mansfield Town. He made 15 appearances in all competitions without scoring before his loan was ended early on 13 December. In mid-March 2019, he went out on loan to National League club Boreham Wood, finishing the season with five appearances. but cancelled his contract by mutual consent in August. He had trained with Bury, but a potential contract fell through after the club was expelled from the EFL. On 12 September 2019, Cooper signed for National League club FC Halifax Town.

On 5 September 2020, Cooper agreed to make the switch to fellow National League side, Woking, on a one-year deal. Cooper made a total of 46 appearances, netting 4 times for the Cards before departing the club at the end of the season.

On 11 August 2021, it was announced that Cooper had signed a one-year contract with another National League club, Wealdstone. His debut came a week later, in a 2–1 defeat to his former club, Woking. Cooper scored once more for the club, as a substitute in a 4–2 defeat away to Altrincham, and made 38 appearances in all competitions before leaving at the end of thee season after talks to extend his contract came to nothing.

After a trial, Cooper signed for Oldham Athletic ahead of the 2022–23 season. He left the club in December 2022 when his six-month contract expired.

On 14 January 2023, Cooper signed by his father Mark for fellow National League side Yeovil Town on an 18-month contract.

In October 2025, Cooper joined National League North club Hereford on loan until 5 January 2026. On 28 November 2025, Cooper was recalled by Yeovil Town. The following day, Cooper joined National League North side Kidderminster Harriers on loan until the end of January 2026. He was released by Yeovil Town at the end of the 2025–26 season.

On 4 June 2026, Brackley Town announced Cooper as their first summer signing ahead of their return to the National League North.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

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2015–16

2016–17

Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2015–16

2018–19

Newport County (loan) 2018–19

Wealdstone 2021–22

2025–26

Yeovil Town National League South: 2023–24

Kidderminster Harriers National League North play-offs: 2026