Colin Cooper is something of a Middlesbrough legend.
A member of the team that rose from the ashes to win back-to-back promotions in 1987 and 1988 under Bruce Rioch, the 50-year-old is now an England Under-21 coach.

He was a Boro player when they were at their lowest ebb – 1986’s liquidation – and when they were at their peak – the 2004 League Cup final in Cardiff.

He’s worn the red shirt at a crumbling Ayresome Park and in the modern surroundings of the Riverside Stadium.

Cooper has been a reserve and first team coach at Boro and was even, briefly, the caretaker manager when Gareth Southgate was sacked in 2009.

So, it’s fair to say there was plenty to talk about when he sat down with Gazette Boro Editor Philip Tallentire to record an exclusive podcast.

Cooper is an engaging and honest interviewee so why not hear what he has to say about his career so far and his plans for the future?

He talks about leaving Boro in 1991, returning seven years later after successful stints with Millwall and Nottingham Forest.

He reveals his pride at winning two England caps and playing against Brazilian legends Ronaldo, Juninho and Edmundo at Wembley.

He talks about the pain of relegation in 2009 and his frustrations with Hartlepool during his first spell in management.

He even reveals a fondness for North-east band Maximo Park and a friendship with their Boro-supporting lead singer Paul Smith. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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