MIKE Cooper admits to being “taken aback” by the work done by head coach Lee Smith at Latchford Albion, his old amateur club.

Upon his return to Warrington Wolves from NRL side St George Illawarra Dragons during the off-season, the England international forward accepted the director of rugby role with Albion.

In their first season back in the North West Men’s League Premier Division, Latchford sit seventh in the table having put together some good patches of form.

One such run saw them win six out of seven matches as they look well set to remain in the division for another season.

Cooper hailed Smith’s dedication and labelled him “an exceptional young coach.”

He also highlighted the importance of professional players helping out their old amateur sides as much as possible.

“I went down to training a few weeks ago and I was taken aback by how professional it was,” he said.

“It’s is really professionally run, with the structures they have.

“Lee Smith has them very well-drilled, he’s an exceptional young coach and has a bright future.

“He is dedicated and gives up a lot of his time for the team, like all the amateur coaches in the town do.

“We all started somewhere so it’s important not to forget your roots, as it were.

“There’s plenty of parents who are out at all hours with their kids so they can play rugby. My dad was the same with me and my brother.

“They’re coaching as well as watching their kids. It takes up a lot of time and they don’t get anything for it, apart from the joy of watching them grow up to become professionals.”

Cooper is one of five ex-Latchford juniors that are currently part of The Wire’s senior squad along with Andre Savelio, Dec Patton, Joe Philbin and Harvey Livett.

Further afield, Widnes Vikings half-back Joe Mellor and Leeds Rhinos centre Kallum Watkins also spent time with the Victoria Park outfit.

Cooper believes there is “untapped potential” in the south of Warrington and hopes putting his name to the club in an official capacity will encourage more children to play rugby in Latchford with either Albion or Latchford Giants.

“My main concern is getting kids playing on that side of town,” he said.

“It’s a big area in the south of Warrington that isn’t really utilised as much as it should be.

“There’s a lot of untapped potential there, all I wanted to do was put my name to it and get more kids playing.

“The first grade at Albion are doing really well and the Giants are a great organisation as well.

“All I wanted to do was get more kids playing for Latchford, whether that’s for Albion or the Giants.”