FEBRUARY 2, 2018
COOPER SIGNS CONTRACT AT JENNER
Barry Town United are proud to announce the signing of Luke Cooper to a contract at the club.
Defender Cooper arrived at Barry in July 2016 following a few seasons at neighbours Caerau Ely, where he won a Welsh League Division One title under the management of former Town forward Nana Baah.
A highly-committed player, Luke was an ever-present in the Town’s subsequent Division One championship-winning season of 2017-18, playing his part in clean sheets against the likes of Port Talbot Town, Afan Lido, Penybont, Cambrian and Clydach, Monmouth Town, Taffs Well and Undy Athletic.
Scoring his first Barry goal in a 5-2 win over Caldicot Town in September 2016, Cooper would be on target again in the 7-1 defeat of Haverfordwest County in the Nathaniel MG Cup and featured throughout the succesful league cup campaign, as the club made its way to a first national final since 2003.
Netting in both league fixtures against Risca United, including a goal in the record-threatening 11-0 win in April 2017, Luke also scored three days later against Goytre United, helping the Town to a 3-0 win at Jenner Park that sealed the club’s JD Welsh Premier League return, following a tumultuous 13-year absence.
A former Welsh Universities international, Luke chalked up his first JD Welsh Premier League goal on Boxing Day 2017; scoring the winner against visitors Cardiff Met in front of a Jenner Park crowd of more than 600.
“I’m pleased to have agreed a long-term contract with the club”, commented Cooper, this week.
“From the moment I signed, I felt at home".
“I’ve been lucky to have experienced some great moments over the last 18 months with the club and I’m looking forward to adding to those memories starting with making a big impact on Phase Two”.
"I’ve grown a lot on and off the field in the last 18 months at the club and I’m looking forward to carrying on that improvement under the management team".
“Luke has grown considerably in his time with us and I’m delighted that his development will continue with us in the long term", added Gavin Chesterfield, on the eve of the team's Phase Two opener with Abersytwyth.
"It’s easy to forget that Luke is still young, as he’s such a big character around the changing room".
In my opinion, the best is yet to come and I look forward to helping him achieve personal and team goals".