Middlesbrough v Doncaster Rovers: Coppinger now has stature to test Boro

DONCASTER Rovers winger James Coppinger has revealed how rejection by Middlesbrough fuelled his determination to become a professional footballer.

Coppinger, 30, was born in Middlesbrough and supported his home-town club as a youngster, yet coaches at the Riverside Stadium felt he was ‘too small’ to have a big future in the game.

After brief spells at Darlington, Hartlepool and Newcastle United, Coppinger was snapped up by Rovers in summer 2004 and has clocked up nearly 300 appearances during the club’s rise from Conference to the Championship.

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“Growing up, I had posters on my wall and Middlesbrough were the team I supported,” he said.

“I watched them at their peak when players such as Juninho, Emerson and Ravanelli were at the Riverside and the stadium was packed out every week with 32,000 supporters.

“It would have been a dream to play for them but, although they were willing to let me train, I was told I was too small to play for the club.

“That didn’t go down too well with me,” he admitted. “In a way, it drove me on. It has always spurred me on to prove those people wrong.”

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Coppinger returns to the Riverside Stadium with Rovers today knowing that his club’s future in the Championship is safe for another season.

However, it has still been a worrying time for Rovers, who have won just two of their last 23 league games.

“It’s been disappointing to finish down near the bottom,” Coppinger commented. “We thought we would be looking to get promoted at the start of the season but the last few months have been difficult.

“Last Saturday was a great relief and to have another season in the Championship is brilliant. But we have just got to write off this season now and look forward to next season.”

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Just three games ago, Boro supporters were also looking nervously over their shoulders at the possibility of relegation but three wins in a row have lifted the club into mid-table and provided optimism for next season’s campaign.

The club is to wear its new kit for the first time today – a retro design with the white shoulder yoke last seen 17 years ago.