A HUGELY popular defender during two spells with Boro, Colin Cooper was appointed first team coach in December 2006 after a spell coaching the Reserve side.

Colin was a full-back in his first spell at Middlesbrough under Bruce Rioch following the club's rebirth after liquidation in the late 1980s.

His form was excellent as Boro moved from the old third division up to the top flight and he won under-21 caps alongside team mate Stuart Ripley.

In 1991 he moved to rejoin Rioch at Millwall and was barracked on his debut for them - against Boro at Ayresome Park.

While at Millwall, Colin was converted to centre-back and his reputation and value greatly increased.

He was linked with several top clubs before making a £1.7m move to Nottingham Forest.

During his time at the City Ground he won two full England caps and helped Forest pip Boro to the First Division title.

Colin returned to Teesside in August 1998, soon establishing himself as a regular in the centre of Boro's defence.

After a superb start to the 2003-04 season, Colin lost his place in the team when regular defensive duo Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu returned from injury.

He spent a short spell on loan at Sunderland, but returned to underline his value to Steve McClaren with a Man of the Match display in a 0-0 draw at championship challenging Chelsea.

Colin was rewarded with a new one-year contract extension agreed in April 2004 and continued to fill in when required with some formidable performances.

In his final season as a player he began studying for his coaching badges alongside Gareth Southgate and when Steve McClaren left the club to take over the England hotseat, Cooper was given the job of Reserve team coach.

New boss Southgate then asked him to step up to take a first team coaching role alongside him when Steve Round left the club in December 2006.