Keith Cooper

Keith Cooper's death, at the age of 78, was announced on 10 November 2026. The place and cause of death were not made public.

The Football Association of Wales paid tribute, saying he was a well known figure who had enjoyed an exceptional career at both domestic and international level, and that everyone at the FAW sent their condolences to his family and friends.

Keith Cooper was born on 21 March 1948 and was born and raised in Pontypridd, in south Wales. As a young man he was a promising footballer on the books of Cardiff City, but an injury ended his playing hopes and he turned to refereeing.

Cooper began as a Football League linesman in 1975. In 1977, aged 29, he was placed on the Supplementary List of referees, the last year that list existed. He had to wait until the 1982 to 1983 season to reach the full Referees' List, and by the late 1980s he was a frequent referee in the top division.

Key matches and milestones included: - The 1986 Welsh Cup final between Wrexham and Kidderminster Harriers at the Racecourse, and the replay at Aggborough three days later - A European Championship qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg in September 1987 - His first Premier League match, Aston Villa against Middlesbrough, in January 1993 - The 1994 League Cup final at Wembley, which Aston Villa won 3 to 1 against Manchester United, with Andrei Kanchelskis sent off for handling on the line

He spent his last seasons refereeing only in the Premier League and the cups, as was standard for Premier League referees at the time, and retired in 1996. He later worked as a Football League assessor.

After retiring from the middle, Cooper became Referees' Officer for the Football Association of Wales. He also worked as a football pundit on radio and was a valued member of the Wiltshire FA Council, which praised his integrity, passion and commitment.

Away from football he worked in education for Torfaen and Caerphilly County Borough Councils with children with special needs, especially children with sight problems.

His son, Steve Cooper, born in 1979, became a football manager, leading England to the 2017 FIFA Under 17 World Cup and later managing Swansea City, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Brondby.

Cooper is remembered as one of the best match officials Wales has produced, a referee who rose from the Football League lines to the Premier League, the FIFA list and a Wembley cup final. In his later role with the FAW he helped support and develop the next generation of Welsh referees.