Craig Cope, director of football at AFC Wimbledon, is celebrating a remarkable turnaround in his career after the club secured promotion from League Two following their 1-0 victory over Walsall in the play-off final at Wembley. The winning goal, scored by Myles Hippolyte during first-half stoppage time, sealed Wimbledon’s return to League One.
Cope’s football journey has been one of resilience and rapid progression. In the 2014/15 season, he was the first team analyst for Cheltenham Town when the club suffered relegation from League Two, finishing 23rd and dropping into the National League.
Determined to advance his career, Cope went on to hold pivotal roles at several clubs including Notts County, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest, and Solihull Moors, where he served as technical director.
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In January 2023, Cope joined AFC Wimbledon as head of football operations. His leadership and vision quickly earned him the role of director of football in November 2024, making him the youngest person to hold such a position within the English Football League’s top four tiers.
Before breaking into the professional football scene, Cope balanced work at a Spar convenience store in Stourport-on-Severn while studying for a degree in sports coaching and development at Worcester University—demonstrating a strong commitment to his passion for football both on and off the field.