James Coppinger began his career at Darlington but was sold to Newcastle United before he had even made a first team appearance for the Quakers. While at the Tyneside club he enjoyed two loan periods at Pools. During his first spell he scored three times in nine league appearances to help Pools reach the third division playoffs. He returned two years later and made 14 more appearances as Pools made the playoffs again. In the summer of 2002 Coppinger left Newcastle after making just one league appearance. He signed for Exeter City and was relegated with them to the Conference. When the Grecians failed to bounce straight back into the Football League, Coppinger moved to Doncaster Rovers.