Elgin City captain Matthew Cooper signs contract extension after seeing "massive difference" at Borough Briggs since Allan Hale's arrival as new manager
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Fresh from making his 300th appearance at Elgin City, captain Matthew Cooper has penned a contract extension to keep him at the club until the summer of 2026.
Cooper's new deal will take the former Caley Thistle defender into his 10th and 11th season in the SPFL at City.
The player endured troubled times at the club in recent seasons, and Hale is the fourth manager he has worked with in less than a year.
He admitted that there was a mentality problem within the team which he believes the new management team have identified and want to change quickly.
"Myself and the gaffer have got a good relationship already and it’s a good place to be involved in, so it was never in doubt really," he said.
"It was a really easy decision to make to sign on again."
He said Hale and his assistant Stefan Laird have changed training methods and the team's style of play to good effect, with evidence coming in City's home wins in their last two matches.
"There’s a massive difference to the place. It was a big job for them to change it.
"I know results come first but the mentality about the place for the last couple of years needed to be changed. They are getting us into good habits and it's showing every week in training.
"The players are speaking about how different training has been and they are enjoying it a lot. It has opened everyone’s eyes and they’re all excited to get going because we can really press on now."
Cooper (29) made his City debut in July 2014, and was sent off in a 3-0 defeat at home to Stirling Albion.
He made his 300th appearance in Hale's first match in charge, a 4-0 loss at East Fife in December.
"Allan said it was important to keep the guys who have been here for a long time," Cooper added.
"It’s good to have this core group and we have that at Elgin with Soapy (Brian Cameron), Tom (McHale), Rory (MacEwan) and Russell (Dingwall) also being here for the last four or five years.
"I’m delighted to be part of that for another couple of years.
"It’s a two-and-a-half year deal which will keep me here until the summer of 2026.
"Next year is my tenth year at Elgin so it’s good to get this tied up."
Manager Hale said: "It is a significant bit of business for us and I’m absolutely delighted.
"I’m sure it’s fantastic news for the club and the supporters as well.
"When we’ve come in it wasn’t so much about bringing new players in, the important element for us was identifying the key players here who were an important part of our plan and what we want to do with the club and try to get them tied down on new contracts.
"There’s no better way to start than to get your captain on a new contract."
