Ronald Cope (5 October 1934 – 27 August 2016) was an English footballer from Crewe, Cheshire, who played as a centre half-back in the Football League for Manchester United and Luton Town.^[1]

Cope played four times for England Schoolboys in 1950.^[2] He joined Manchester United as an amateur in the same year, turned professional in 1951, and made his debut for the club on 29 September 1956 against Arsenal at Highbury.^[3] However, he only gained a regular first-team place after the Munich air disaster.^[4] He lost his first-team place to Bill Foulkes in October 1960,^{[citation needed]} and left United for Luton Town in August 1961 on a £10,000 transfer. He left the professional scene two years later, although he continued to play at non-league level for Northwich Victoria and also served the Cheshire club as manager.^[3]

His father, George, had played for Crewe Alexandra, and he was considered a stand-out player in the squad, always being where he was needed.^{[citation needed]} Like his father, Cope also played Cheshire County League football for Nantwich.^[5]

Cope died on 27 August 2016.^[6][7]