'My birthday was one day before the League Cup final, I thought Steve McClaren might put me on the bench, but I wasn't even in the squad' Former Middlesbrough man reveals bitter taste left by cup triumph

"Steve McClaren's Boro side had established themselves as Premier League regulars and after three cup final defeats during the 1990s, their 2-1 win against Sam Allardyce's Bolton tasted particularly sweet. Two early goals from Joseph Desire-Job and Bolo Zenden had put Boro into a strong early lead before they were pegged back by Kevin Davies. McClaren's side hung on to see out the result and take home the club's first major trophy."

"Colin Cooper had made his debut for Middlesbrough in the mid-1980s when the club were languishing in the old Second and Third Divisions. Back-to-back promotions lifted the Teessiders into the top flight by 1988 but they were sent packing after just one season and spent the next two in the second tier again. It was at that point Cooper left the club for South Londoners Millwall, with whom he lasted two seasons, before signing with Nottingham Forest."

Middlesbrough won the 2003/04 Carling Cup with a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Millennium Stadium. Steve McClaren's side took an early two-goal lead through Joseph Desire-Job and Bolo Zenden; Kevin Davies replied but Middlesbrough held on to claim the club's first major trophy. Local defender Colin Cooper was unhappy with parts of the day and the lead-up to the final. Cooper debuted in the mid-1980s when Middlesbrough were in the Second and Third Divisions. After promotions and relegation he left for Millwall, then spent five years at Nottingham Forest, earned England recognition, and returned to Middlesbrough in 1998. He had disagreements with Forest manager Dave Bassett and chose Middlesbrough over other options.

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