2007-03-15 22:45:46 · 8 answers · asked by michael1sharp 1 in Sports ➔ Football ➔ English Football
he played on the wing
2007-03-15 22:48:18 · update #1
Coppell announced his retirement from the game in October 1983, aged just 28.
Tragedy struck Coppell while playing for England in a vital qualifier for the 1982 FIFA World Cup against Hungary. Coppell was the victim of a vicious high challenge which shattered his knee. Coppell said the effect was "like someone had put a firework in my knee and it had gone off" [1] and underwent an operation which allowed him a temporary fix so he could carry on playing.
Coppell nursed the injury through the World Cup in Spain, playing in all three of England's group games and the goalless draw against West Germany in the second pool. England went out in the next game against Spain and Coppell underwent a second operation.
He had continued to play for Manchester United as much as he could after suffering the injury, playing 36 times in the 1982 season and 29 times in the 1983 campaign, making two more appearances for England after the World Cup ended, scoring in the former as England destroyed Luxembourg 9-0.
Coppell was fit enough to play in the League Cup final of 1983, which in a reverse of events in 1977, opponents Liverpool won 2-1. But as Manchester United progressed also to the FA Cup final in the same year, Coppell's knee had broken down again and he missed the final against Brighton & Hove Albion, which ended 2-2 and ultimately concluded in a 4-0 victory for Manchester United in the replay.
Another operation followed but to no avail, and Coppell announced his retirement from the game in October 1983, aged just 28. He had broken the record for the most consecutive appearances for an outfield Manchester United player - 207 from 1977 to 1981 - which still stands to this day. His Manchester United career ended with 373 appearances and 70 goals; his England career had concluded with 42 caps and seven goals.
2007-03-15 22:51:42 · answer #1 · answered by ♥gigi♥ 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Steve Coppell left Manchester United on 31 May 1983.
2007-03-16 04:11:30 · answer #2 · answered by foongwk140804 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steve Coppell retired from playing football for Manchester United in October 1983 aged 28 due to a serious knee injury.
2007-03-15 22:49:12 · answer #3 · answered by oohgravy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1983
2007-03-15 23:55:00 · answer #4 · answered by manu4eva 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
28
2007-03-15 23:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by brogdenuk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1983
2007-03-15 22:48:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1977
2007-03-15 23:41:39 · answer #7 · answered by dianadanz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
his nickname at the club was wheels, 1983 was very premature, to see him running with the ball, attacking defences was poetry. he and gordon hill were the first 2 wingers that used to confuse defences by swapping over and doing diagonal runs.
2007-03-15 22:55:43 · answer #8 · answered by not really. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋