York City was a club in mourning today after the shock death of former striker Steve Cooper.

Target-man Cooper, who made a massive impact at Bootham Crescent even though he spent just over a season as a Minsterman, was found dead in his bed in his home in Yardley, near Birmingham yesterday. He was aged 39 and he leaves behind wife Hayley and children Dale and Jade.

A post-mortem was being held to discover the cause of Cooper's death, but his passing left the club in shock. During his spell at City the former schoolboy gymnast enthralled the crowd with his trademark back-flip somersault celebrations after scoring a goal.

Former City manager Alan Little, who signed the six-foot front-man from Tranmere Rovers in a £35,000 deal a few months after the club's historic promotion play-off conquest at Wembley, told the Evening Press he was 'devastated' by the news.

Said Little: "It's absolutely unbelievable and incredibly tragic for his wife and kids.

"He was a smashing lad was 'Coops'. He would do anything for you and I am certain that everyone who knows him in football will be absolutely gutted on hearing this news because he was such a great lad. It's unbelievable."

Cooper's career with City was blighted by injury, scoring eight goals in 46 appearances.

Little revealed that he had played alongside the Birmingham-born Cooper when the striker was a young lad and the ex-City boss was coming to the end of his career with Halifax Town.

"We travelled back and forth to Birmingham a couple of times and I could see then what a great lad he was. That's what made me sign him for York City from Tranmere.

"He was a big, strapping lad - as fit as anything. I just cannot believe it."

Cooper's career with City was unfortunately blighted by injury and after scoring eight goals in 46 appearances he moved to Airdrie for £60,000 in September 1994.

It was with the Diamonds, where he achieved cult status, bagging the winner over Hearts in a Scottish Cup semi-final to go on to meet eventual winners Glasgow Rangers. Former City team-mate Andy McMillan told the Evening Press that it was Cooper who got him to Scotland when he revived his career post-Bootham Crescent with Ayr United.

Said McMillan: "I just can't believe it. He made a huge impact on people wherever he went. He was an absolutely fantastic bloke. There wouldn't be anyone who had a bad word about him. It's a massive shock and a big, big loss."

Current head of youth development at City, Paul Stancliffe played against Cooper, whose career took him from his native Birmingham in 1983 via Halifax, Holland, Plymouth Argyle - coincidentally in a swap deal involving former City ace Gordon Staniforth - Barnsley, Tranmere, York and then on to Airdrie and Ayr.

Recalled Stancliffe: "He was one of those centre-forwards you never liked playing against. His athleticism was unbelievable and though he wasn't very tall he had such an amazing leap.

"Off the field he was such a big character as well."

That point was echoed by City chief executive Keith Usher, who told the Evening Press: "Coops was very popular within the club in the time he was here.

"He was well liked and a nice chap. It's just devastating when you hear of something like this happening."

York City chairman Steve Beck recalled the impact Cooper had made on his City debut in the first game of the 1993-94 season at home to Swansea City.

He said: "I was doing some photographic work at the ground that day and you could see how well he linked up with Paul Barnes. He made such an impact with his commitment and his effort. Fans will always respond to people who get stuck in and Cooper did that.

"It's a very, very sad day. Even though he was with us not that long he was well liked. He will be badly missed."

Steve Cooper (1964 - 2004)

Born: Birmingham, June 22, 1964

York City appearances: 44 (2)

York City goals: 8

York City debut: v Swansea 2-1 (H) August 1993

York City last game: v Swansea 0-0 (A) September 1994

Clubs: Moor Green, Birmingham City (Nov 1983), Halifax Town (loan), NAC Breda (loan), Mansfield Town (loan), Newport County (Sept 1984), Plymouth Argyle (July 1985), Barnsley (July 1988), Tranmere Rovers (December 1990), Peterborough United (loan), Wigan Athletic (loan), York City (July 1993), Airdrie (Sept 1994), Ayr United(1997-98).

Transfer fees: Newport County to Plymouth Argyle £15,000 plus player exchange with Gordon Staniforth; Plymouth Argyle to Barnsley £100,000; Barnsley to Tranmere Rovers £100,000; Tranmere Rovers to York City £35,000; York City to Airdrie £60,000.

Updated: 14:08 Monday, February 16, 2004