250 words are more than is truly needed when you could sum James Coppinger up in just one, Legend. Everything about this game went to script, but in reality there was no need for a script at all.
From start to finish Coppinger ran the show, his corner led to the opener – Andy Butler turning the ball home – shortly followed by John Marquis dancing around the Morecambe defence for 2-0. Even Cole Stockton’s well taken volley before half-time couldn’t steal the limelight.
After the break it was all Coppinger. A classic run down the right, cutting and weaving past player after player, didn’t quite have the glorious end product for Coppinger, but Marquis was more than happy to tap in for 3-1.
Matty Blair went one better as he made his own terrorising run down the Rovers right, before poking home the fourth goal.
But on his 500th game, there was only one way the game would end. Coppinger letting fly to find the bottom corner from 25 yards to the delight of the travelling support.
There have been some special moments over the last 12 years, but few will have topped that one. There will never be another player like Coppinger at Rovers, or any club. He’s the last of a special breed of player and one that epitomises everything Doncaster Rovers. It’s for this that he is a hero of mine, and of many others.
As I said, there really was no need for a script.
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