James Coppinger film a chance for 'proper goodbye'

A documentary about the career of a Doncaster Rovers football legend has been released five years after he hung up his boots.

James Coppinger played his last match in May 2021 in an empty stadium due to lockdown restrictions, 17 years after starting his journey at the club in 2004.

Lewis Reeves, director of "Copps", said the sold-out premiere at CAST in Doncaster on Thursday was a "real celebration" for fans and a chance for a belated "proper goodbye".

He said the film, which has been in production since 2021, shows Coppinger's "remarkable phoenix-from-the-ashes" journey.

Coppinger, from Darlington, was scouted by Newcastle United at the relatively late age of 17 and went on to play his first Premier League game at 19 alongside Alan Shearer.

"For a lad from the North East, it's a dream, it doesn't really get bigger than that," Reeves said.

However, he struggled to make a long-term impact at the club and joined Exeter City when his Newcastle contract expired in 2002.

They were relegated at the end of the season and the experience led him to consider quitting football.

After meeting with resilience coach Terry Gormley at Doncaster Rovers, he was given a chance by the club and went on to play nearly 700 games for them.

Reeves said Coppinger, now 45, had an "inspirational story" and was glad the premiere had seen an "amazing turnout".

"He's the most humble man I've ever met," he added.

"He doesn't like to make a bit fuss, so I'm taking it upon myself to make a big fuss on his behalf."

Coppinger now works full-time as a first team coach for the club and is involved in charity work with causes including mental health and cancer research.

"I took my grandma to the show last night, she hates football, but she was really moved by James's story," he added.

"It's for football fans in one sense, but it's also got a really great heart for the non-football fan."

Reeves added he "could not speak highly enough" of former One Direction star and Rovers fan Louis Tomlinson, who was one of the executive producers on the film and supported its funding.

Some footage and material for the documentary had been submitted by fans over social media which he said made for a "really collaborative process".

Copps is due to be available to stream on the Doncaster Rovers website from July.

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