Coppell's Reading firmly on track for promotion

The away defeat to Luton last Friday was only Reading's second in the Championship this season.

At present, Steve Coppell's outfit have a nine-point lead over second-placed Sheffield United. With 11 matches to go the Royals' attempt to reach their goal, earning promotion to the top-flight for the first time in their history, is becoming a reality.

Diplomatic Coppell, who has always cautioned his players not to let complacency creep in and damage their chances, is heartened by the fact that his side have a cushion 19-point advantage on the third-placed team - Watford.

As things stand at the moment, Reading, whose fans will be in ruptures if they win the Championship title, should never lose the second automatic promotion slot reserved for the runners-up.

Reading's main aim has always been to reach that golden pot at the end of the rainbow and mingle with the big boys. This was highlighted in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Birmingham, including the replay. Coppell, assisted by Kevin Dillon (ex-Birmingham player), left eight regulars out of the side to keep them in trim for the forthcoming league encounters.

The manager

Stephen James Coppell, whose playing career was unfortunately cut short by injury, was born on July 9, 1955 in Norris Green, Liverpool.

The winger, who was blessed with an amazing dribble and a sublime passing of the ball with centres from the flanks, started his career with Tranmere Rovers as he continued to study for a degree in economics (that he succeeded in earning) at Liverpool University.

After only one year at Prenton Park, he signed for Manchester United for a fee of £60,000. He made his debut as a substitute in a 4-0 triumph over Cardiff on March 1, 1975, assisting the Red Devils to gain promotion back to the top flight after one year.

In the season that followed he became a fixture in the United side and earned honours for the England U-23 team. The Red Devils, under the management of Tommy Docherty, reached the FA Cup final in 1976 and Coppell tasted the atmosphere at Wembley on cup day for the first time.

Yet, Southampton, their opponents from Division II, caused one of the major surprises in the history of the cup and emerged triumphant 1-0.

Yet, Manchester United made up for that setback when in the next year they defeated champions Liverpool 2-1 to thwart them from the treble as the Reds then went on to win the European Cup.

In that same season, Coppell chalked up his first full appearance for his country in the World Cup qualifying win (2-0) against Italy at Wembley. Coppell remained a constant international as England called upon the late Ron Greenwood after they failed to reach the World Cup finals.

In 1979, Coppell was present in another FA Cup final for Manchester United against Arsenal. This was one of the showpieces of the history of the tournament.

The Londoners won with almost the last kick of the match as United came from 0-2 down to lose by the odd goal in five.

In the two seasons that followed he continued to turn out for his club and country and also made a habit of scoring against Scotland in the international scene.

Coppell suffered his first injury setback while on duty for England in a vital World Cup qualifier against Hungary - a vicious high challenge had shattered his knee.

Coppell played with the injury through the World Cup finals in Spain in 1982. After the elimination to hosts Spain, he underwent a second operation.

In 1982-83, Coppell continued in the colours of United as much as he could and played in the League Cup final of 1983 that they lost to Liverpool 1-2.

That same season United had also made it to the FA Cup final (defeated Brighton), but Coppell missed the showdown and faced surgery once again. This time Coppell failed to return and hung up his boots in October 1983 - aged just 28.

He ended his career at United with 373 appearances and 70 goals, as his England career featured 42 appearances and seven nettings.

Coppell set a club record for an outfield player of 207 consecutive appearances from 1977 to 1981.

His managerial career had many twists and turns - at 29 he became the youngest manager in the League - and followed this route:

June 3, 1984 - April 17, 1993: Crystal Palace - won promotion to the top flight via the play-offs in 1989 and were losing FA Cup finalists in 1990 (lost to his ex-club United).

In 1991 Palace finished in their highest placing ever in the First Division - third. They were relegated from the Premier in 1993 with the most points ever for a demoted club.

June 8, 1995 - February 8, 1996: Crystal Palace... in a new role of director of football, left without completing a season.

October 6, 1996 - November 8, 1996: Manchester City... quit the scene after only six matches.

February 28, 1997 - March 13, 1998: Crystal Palace... led the side to promotion again through the play-offs. Yet after seven months of the season he called it quits after a boardroom takeover. At the end of the term Palace were relegated.

January 15, 1999 - August 1, 2000: Crystal Palace... in his fourth spell at Selhurst Park he maintained their league position despite the club being heavily in debt. When Simon Jordan bought Palace, Coppell left.

May 8, 2001 - June 5, 2002: Brentford... led the Bees to the final of the Division II play-offs. At the end of season he left Griffin Park.

October 7, 2002 - October 9, 2003: Brighton... improved the side's performances but still the Seagulls finished in the mire of relegation. He left as the season was only two months old in search of pastures new.

October 9, 2003 - Reading... after steering the Royals to top ten in the first two seasons, now they are on the verge of promotion.