A Bulldog Legend

BACK ROW Ian Bowley (Manager), Andrew Barker, Peter Cooper, Marc d’Unienville, Anothny Haynes, Michael Berce (Doctor), Jim Jones, John Rodda, Andrew Cawrse, Robert Hilditch (Captain A1 Reserves).

FRONT ROW John Haynes, Ashley Kelly, Adrian Berce (Captain), Warren Murphy (President), Barry Cibich (Caoch), Winton Inkster, Julian Coghlin

It is with a deep sense of sadness that I advise the Bulldog family of the passing of one of our own, Peter Cooper. Peter played A Grade (that’s the old version of Premier League ) for Burnside for some years back in the 1970S and 1980s. I recall many a fine Saturday afternoon being one of 100 plus spectators crowded around the old BHC top ground on East Tce, Kensington Gardens to watch Peter and his mates, including Brenton Martin, Jimmy Jones, Robert Hilditch and the Berce brothers, Michael and Adrian, along with Ian Bowley and an older guy known as Boonz aka bulldogs legend, Winton Inkster, as they took on arch enemies like Brighton or Sturt (now Adelaide HC) in games that could only be described as exciting and vigorous. Peter was a skillful and elegant player with flair. I remember too the class of the man on the day that his jaw was broken. Peter was always the gentleman but he played hard and tough skillful hockey in the true spirit of the Bulldog.
I extend our deepest condolences to Peter’s family, on behalf of all Bulldogs, those who were fortunate enough to know or meet Peter and those who haven’t.

Peter was a key member of the 1988 Premiership team – the Club’s first Mens top grade premiership since its win in 1936 (as Kenwood).
Before the Grand final was played, Winton Inkster was reported in The Advertiser as saying “with the return of John Rodda and Peter Cooper to Club this year, we have developed a team of 13 players who give the side great flexibility. I feel confident about the final.”

Peter’s playing record is:
A1 1974-84, 1988
SA Juniors 1973
SA U21 1974
SA Seniors 1983-4 seen here below playing for SA with Terry Smith


Peter Cooper