Favourite Stevie Cooper Era Moment?

[Est.1865]

I'd like to shove in Bristol City away as well - I think most of us realised something different was afoot after that

Yep agree, never happened to us did it.

 

[garibaldi]

It’s beginning to sink in that even if we get a better performing team we’ll never reach the same emotional highs than we experienced in the last 2 years

Even if we play away in Europe, nothing will ever compare to Crystal Palace away 2022/2023 season. My life as a football supporter peaked that day.

Sheff Utd playoff game made a 35 year old realise that he didn't have to watch a loser football club anymore. Then 2 weeks later that 35 year old had his first ever visit to Wembley and had the privilege of sharing the experience with his 2 kids. Those experiences just didn't happen to sub 40 year old Forest fans bored of listening to their parents' tales.

After decades of putrid cup performances we got to a semi-final going out to the winners - she nearly wore a scarlet ribbon.

And then there's hundreds more but they're my favs.

2 years of absolute f***ing rock n roll!

 

[stantonred]

There was a video from the promotion season set to an acoustic version of just can’t get enough I think, and I can’t bloody find it. Anyone got a link to it? Reckon that’ll be enough to remind us all what a good time we’ve had together under Cooper

 

[Annesleyred]

Play off final it was as exciting as both European Cups, the Liverpool League Cup Final Replay, Ian Storey-Moore's hat trick.

 

[valspoodle]

All of it.

I've never shared this story outside of my family and really close mates. Its not that i'm embarrassed by it, its that i was afraid of what people would think (which isn't a usual quality of mine) but it is so personal to me.
My beautiful Grandmother, whom i was raised by along with my Mam, was taken into hospital on the 30th of September 2021. I was back at home and caring for her over before and during Covid. This woman was absolutely everything to me. She had simple values, treat people how you want to be treated and always stick by your family. I adhered to those principles and hopefully will always.
She loved me, i was her favourite out of the whole family. And she knew that despite me being in my mid 40s, he only has two true loves and that is Music and Nottingham Forest. Her knowledge of football was hilariously bad "Cant they just get Brian Clough back???" "Whatever happened to them they used to be great", you know the type of person i'm sure, they don't care about football but they care about what you love. That was her.

The week before she went into hospital i showed her Coops first interview on my ipad, because he looks like one of the scallys from the estate i grew up on but also i liked how he spoke (no hierachy etc) and also because my Nana had developed cognitive issues i would grab any opportunity to talk to her about something, anything, because she couldnt really strike up a conversation anymore. She really liked the look of him and "hes so geniuine!". By September 2021 she went to hospital for a blood test, we got the sudden news that she had a very rare and deadly form of bile duct cancer. World completely turned upside down.

Covid rules prevent me from visiting, two visitors only, my Mam and Granda first priority. Shes in hospital a couple of weeks now and i've been speaking to her in person and on the phone every single morning and evening. My mother has been telling her that Forest is starting to look good under Steve Cooper, they're winning "In fact they came back from 1-0 down last night and scored twice in injury time". That was on the 20th of October 2021.

We know the end is nigh, and my Mam phones to tell me that my Nana wants to talk to me on the phone. She asks how i am (while i'm holding back tears) and then goes on to say something incredible "you know i think this Stevie Cooper is the one to get them back up". After telling me she loved me right after it, it was the final words she ever said to me. This isn't made up, that is what she choose to tell me as she knew that it would be the last time she was going to talk to me. She didn't like people asking how she was, instead she would ask how i was or amazingly how Forest are doing, why? Simply because her favourite grandson loved them. The following day she deteriorated and would never speak again, until finally on the 3rd November 2021 she passed away.

As Forest fans i dont need to explain to you what happened next, but for me it has been the closest thing to a spiritual experience that i've had in my life. I'm not religioius nor spiritual but to see Forest march up the table while grieving the closest person in my life alongside my Mam, it gave me comfort that i could never find the words to articulate what Steve Coopers Nottingham Forest came to represent for me.

And when that final whistle went at Wembley i dropped to my knees and looked up to the sky and cried like a child, but every single victory that led to that moment was ecstasy, pure and utter delirium.

I've always wanted to write a letter to Steve to tell him my story, but then i'd utter something like "Grow up he's a busy man". I regret not doing it now because the sheer joy, strength and comfort he gave me in the hardest year of my life is a debt i cannot ever repay.

Well theres that story told. I never thought i would type it out.

So back on topic...

ALL OF IT

You should have sent it to Coops, he'd have loved it. I wrote to Cloughie, some trite nonsense but I'd just seen how excited he and Taylor were are Forest scoring a goal at Tottenham and I had to tell him how I felt. Got the most charming letter back, entirely unexpected.

So my story is far less moving or interesting than yours, but I'm sure these guys love to hear such personal notes amongst all the background hum and Coops seems the type of guy to find time in a busy day.