Mark keen to step out of father's shadow after getting Posh chance

MARK Cooper aims to become a successful manager in his own right after being unveiled as the new Peterborough United boss yesterday.

The former Tamworth and Kettering manager hopes that comparisons are not drawn between himself and his legendary dad Terry following his arrival at London Road.

Terry made his name as a left-back for Leeds United where he made 250 appearances during the 1960s and 70s. He was also capped 20 times by England.

After quitting playing he turned to management, enjoying two stints with Exeter City — the first of which led to the Grecians securing promotion out of the old fourth division in 1990.

But Cooper junior, who notched 32 goals in 124 league appearances for the Grecians, is keen to escape the shadow of his dad after jumping from non-league football into the Coca-Cola Championship.

"I can remember playing for dad at Birmingham," Cooper recalled.

"And he would make a point of caning me in front of the rest of the team to make sure he couldn't be accused of favouritism.

"I don't think he ever said 'well done'.

"I also grew up with the pressure of people saying 'you'll never be as good as your dad', but I learnt not to let it bother me.

"I just decided to be as good a player as I could, whatever level I reached.

"My dad never shoved his success under my nose, but everyone knew who he was when I was growing up.

"Now I want to be a success in my own right and I'm young enough and keen enough to do it."

It was his father Terry who brought Mark to Exeter in 1989 from Bristol City, where he began his career as a trainee

Having also followed his dad to Birmingham, he returned to Exeter to play under him again in 1994.

Cooper cut his managerial teeth at Tamworth and earned a spell in the spotlight by taking then Championship side Stoke City to an FA Cup replay in 2005.

He moved onto Kettering before the start of the 2007/08 season and made an instant impact.

The Poppies won their first seven matches under Cooper and they eventually won promotion to the Blue Square Premier with five matches to spare.

Kettering finished a creditable eighth in the top tier of non-league football last season and they are currently lying in third place.

Cooper insists he is totally unfazed by his jump to the Championship to take charge of a side rooted to the foot of the table.

"I have seen many positive things which gives me the confidence to believe we can start climbing the table. It's all about finding a way to win," he said.

"I know some people will be worried that I've stepped up from non-league football to the Championship, but I'm not one of them.

"Football is the same at any level, but the higher you go the better players you get to work with. Methods and preparation stay the same and I'm confident I can make the most of this fantastic opportunity.

"It's all about winning matches for me so I will do my best to do that.

"The chance to work here came right out of the blue and the last few days have been a bit of blur.

"The chairman is passionate, enthusiastic and he calls a spade a spade. I'm the same so we will get on fine.

"I'm also lucky that the previous regime have left me a great squad to work with so I can't wait to get started."

Cooper faces a baptism of fire with Peterborough travelling to Sheffield United and then hosting Middlesbrough in his first two Championship matches in charge.