DATE OF BIRTH: 7 June 1982, York, North Yorkshire.

BRITISH CAREER: (2003) Sheffield II; (2004) Sheffield II, Oxford II; (2005) Sheffield; (2006) Sheffield, Scunthorpe; (2007) Sheffield, Boston; (2008) Sheffield.


THE hugely-popular Yorkshireman returns for what will be his fifth season with the Tigers at Premier League level.

In fact, he has been associated with the Owlerton side throughout his career, having also ridden for two years with the junior Prowlers team in 2003 and 2004.

‘Coops' has made steady progress each season in British speedway's second tier after first recording an average of 4.60 in 2005.

This rose to 6.22 in 2007 and he then hit a career-high 6.53 figure from 38 meetings last season.

Cooper's inclusion in Tigers 2008 team will be a popular one with the supporters and provides the side with some solid middle-order support.