Scottish Cup build up to tie with Highland League side
One of Matty Cooper’s abiding football memories growing up in Macduff was boyhood club Deveronvale knocking Elgin City out of the Scottish Cup in a nine goal thriller at Princess Royal Park.
Coops even featured in the local newspaper celebrating the 5-4 victory for the Banff side against a team managed by former chairman Graham Tatters at that time.
It was his grandfather Harry who took a young Matty to Vale games home and away in those days.
But for the last 14 years or so, his grandfather and father switched allegiance to Aberdeen, Inverness Caley Thistle and for the last decade, Elgin City as Matty moved into senior Scottish football.
Harry attends every home game at Borough Briggs and when Matty’s dad Paul is home from his offshore job, the pair like to travel to away games.
Matty played youth football at Deveronvale which was a boyhood dream growing up.
“They had a good side back when I was growing up, winning leagues and that, so it was kind of always the dream to go and play for the Vale.”
As he got older, Matty and his mates would follow Vale home and away, travelling by bus to away games.
One of the most memorable games came on January 6th, 2007 when Vale triumphed 5-4 in an exciting cup tie.
“I remember Martin Johnson, the Elgin striker, had a good game and scored three goals.
Mark Chisholm and Ian Murray had the home side 2-0 up within 10 minutes and further goals from Mark Smith prod and Mike McKenzie put them in command with just 29 minutes played.
Martin Johnston headed one back after 39 minutes and added a second after the break before Graeme Watt made it 5-2.
Steven Mackay and Johnston’s hat-trick goal made it a nervy finish for the final 16 minutes in front of 1,700 fans at Princess Royal Park.
“I ended up behind one of the goals with my mates and we ended up in the paper on the Monday.”
A young Matty Cooper (back left), with his mate Ryan behind the goal at Princess Royal Park in 2007.
Coops never played in the Highland League for Deveronvale after being signed by Aberdeen at the age of 16 and then moving to Inverness Caley Thistle.
However, every chance he got, he would go and watch his best friend Sean Wood play for Buckie Thistle.
Coops knows Vale manager Garry Wood, who he has lined up against several times over the years, and assistant boss Grant Noble.
“It’s a young side. They’ll be full of energy and they are having a good season,” said Coops.
He expects a couple of supporters buses to make the short trip to Elgin with a number of his workmates and friends looking to enjoy a big day out with hospitality at Borough Briggs.
And whatever role he plays in the game, Coops is determined to send them home sad with Elgin City in the draw for the third round of the national competiton.
