'A statue? A terrific idea' - Joe Wright pays tribute to James Coppinger ahead of another milestone for Doncaster Rovers

Joe Wright summed it up pretty well: “I find it quite funny that for the time I’ve been here it seems that every other week there is another milestone for Copps.”
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Another week and potentially another landmark day for James Coppinger at Doncaster Rovers.

A week on from making his 800th career appearance, the 40-year-old is poised to make his 600th league appearance for Rovers as they host Plymouth Argyle.

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Putting it into context, only 20 other men in the history of English football have reached that landmark with a single club.

James CoppingerJames Coppinger
James Coppinger

And team mate Wright paid tribute ahead of another noteworthy day for Rovers’ record appearance maker.

“That just shows what a good professional he is,” he said. “He stays fit and he looks after himself. Barring the injury he’s had recently, that’s the only one I can remember in the time I’ve been here.

“He’s a credit to himself and it’s another milestone for a tremendous man.”

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With Coppinger approaching the end of his playing career in May, talk has turned to the best way to honour his incredible service to the club.

And there has been a wave of support for a statue at the Keepmoat.

“I think it would be a terrific idea to be honest,” Wright said.

“It’s something he deserves. It’s unheard of for someone to spend that much time at a club, to not only spend that time but to be such a part of it and the performances he puts in.

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“They’re still there now and it showed when he came on against Hull. It was only ten minutes but ten minutes of James Coppinger can affect games.

“I think he was brilliant against Portsmouth. He gets into those pockets, the ability he has on the ball and the understanding of the game he has is unbelievable really.”

Wright revealed the Rovers squad are as keen as the club’s supporters for Coppinger to play on.

“We keep trying to convince him to do another year and we laugh and joke about it,” he said.

“If I’m honest I think he could do another five.

“He is a freak of nature.

“It’s up to him, whatever he decides to do is his choice.

“The whole time I’ve been here he’s been brilliant.”

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