SHANE LONG’S extra-time winner for Reading at Liverpool back in 2010 represents a vivid memory for Jake Cooper.
The towering centre back had not long signed on with the Academy of his beloved club when Royals stunned their Premier League opponents in a
third-round replay, with Long heading home the winner in front of the Kop.
But former Forest School pupil Cooper is now out to try make history of his own with Reading, who will be looking to claim another top-flight scalp when Tony Pulis brings his West Brom side to Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
The Baggies will no doubt present another stern examination for the 21-year-old, but Cooper, who has become something of a mainstay in Brian McDermott’s starting XI in recent weeks, is relishing the challenge.
“I always look forward to playing against big players and we will be relishing every moment we can to show that we are as good as they are,” said the defender.
“And we feel like we can beat them.
“It will be a good battle and a tough team to beat, but we feel we can play our own game and we can stop them and what they are good at, and we will be looking at that for the rest of the week and working out how we are going to play against them, but we will be ready for the battle.”
Like the cup, Cooper’s rise to prominence at Reading is arguably the stuff of fairy tales.
Learning his trade at Finchampstead club California FC (now Eversley and California), the youngster saw trials with other professional teams end in rejection before his local club came calling.
“I was playing for a youth team called California near Finchampstead. We also had a really good team at Forest School under Mr (James) Eaglesham.
“But when I was younger I was turned away by a lot of professional clubs. I had plenty of trials between the ages of eight and 14 and my family and I would travel quite far to some places and all around London.
“But I was still enjoying football and I kept involved.
“I just had this love for the game and enjoyed every match.
“As I grew into this body I was brought in by Reading and showed everyone what I could do.
“You could say that (I’m living the dream), but I’m loving every minute of playing. It was difficult to try and get into the team, but I feel like I am now showing people I can be a big part of this team and a big part of the football club.”
Reading will be looking to extend an unbeaten run on home soil to seven games, with Cooper even suggesting such form means the hosts may not necessarily go into the fixture carrying the tag as underdogs.
He said: “We don’t feel much pressure whoever we play because we feel we are a good side and can beat anyone who comes to Madejski.
“They will have a difficult time and we will do everything we can to beat them.”
– READING’S Under-18s FA Youth Cup quarter-final with Chelsea will take place at Stamford Bridge on Friday, February 26, with a 7.05pm kick-off.
Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 concessions in purchased in advance.
– CHRIS GUNTER has signed a new two-year contract with the club, with the deal keeping the defender with Royals until the summer of 2018.
