Jack Cork Explained

Jack Cork
Fullname:Jack Frank Porteous Cork[1]
Birth Date:25 June 1989[2]
Birth Place:Carshalton, England
Height:1.83m (06feet)[3]
Position:Defensive midfielder
Youthyears1:1998–2006
Youthclubs1:Chelsea
Years1:2006–2011
Clubs1:Chelsea
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2006
Clubs2:AFC Bournemouth (loan)
Caps2:4
Goals2:0
Years3:2007
Clubs3:AFC Bournemouth (loan)
Caps3:3
Goals3:0
Years4:2007–2008
Clubs4:Scunthorpe United (loan)
Caps4:34
Goals4:2
Years5:2008–2009
Clubs5:Southampton (loan)
Caps5:23
Goals5:0
Years6:2009
Clubs6:Watford (loan)
Caps6:19
Goals6:0
Years7:2009
Clubs7:Coventry City (loan)
Caps7:21
Goals7:0
Years8:2010
Clubs8:Burnley (loan)
Caps8:11
Goals8:1
Years9:2010–2011
Clubs9:Burnley (loan)
Caps9:40
Goals9:3
Years10:2011–2015
Clubs10:Southampton
Caps10:114
Goals10:2
Years11:2015–2017
Clubs11:Swansea City
Caps11:80
Goals11:2
Years12:2017–2024
Clubs12:Burnley
Caps12:184
Goals12:4
Nationalyears1:2005
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2005–2006
Nationalcaps2:7
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2006
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2007–2008
Nationalcaps4:14
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2009
Nationalcaps5:1
Nationalgoals5:0
Nationalyears6:2008–2011
Nationalcaps6:13
Nationalgoals6:0
Nationalyears7:2012
Nationalcaps7:4
Nationalgoals7:0
Nationalyears8:2017
Nationalteam8:England
Nationalcaps8:1
Nationalgoals8:0
Club-Update:09:10, 25 May 2024 (UTC)

Jack Frank Porteous Cork (born 25 June 1989) is an English professional footballer who last played as a defensive midfielder for and captained club Burnley. He played for the Great Britain Olympic team at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Cork started off his career with Chelsea but between 2006 and 2011, he went on loan to a number of clubs, including Scunthorpe United where he was named player of the year. Without making an appearance for Chelsea, he signed permanently to Championship club Southampton in 2011 where he made over 100 appearances for them and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League by featuring in all their matches. Cork spent two and a half years with Premier League club Swansea City from January 2015 to July 2017 before his permanent move to Burnley where he featured in every match en route of the club qualifying to the UEFA Europa League. He spent six seasons with Burnley, one of which was a title winning EFL Championship campaign, before the contract expires.

Cork has featured for England from U16 in 2005 to U21 between 2008 and 2011, the Great Britain Olympic team and once for the senior national team.

Early life

Cork was born in Carshalton, London. He is the son of former footballer and manager Alan Cork.[4]

Career

Chelsea

Cork joined the Chelsea youth system up age of nine, and captained both the club's youth and reserve teams.[5] During the 2006–07 season, Cork twice went on loan to League One club AFC Bournemouth. Cork was selected to go on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States in summer 2007. He made his first appearance for the first team against Club América on 14 July. He played out-of-position at left back for most of the tour.[6]

Cork spent the 2007–08 season on loan at newly promoted Championship club Scunthorpe United. His first league goals came for Scunthorpe, both against Coventry City; in a 1–1 away draw on 27 November 2007 and in a 2–1 home victory on 1 March 2008.[7] After 35 appearances, despite Scunthorpe's relegation from the Championship,[8] he was voted the club's Player of the Year.[9]

On 21 August 2008, Cork joined Championship club Southampton on loan until 1 January 2009.[10] In January 2009, Cork joined Championship club Watford on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season.[11] He scored his first goal for Watford on 24 January 2009 in a 4–3 victory over Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup.[12] Cork signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea on 21 August 2009 and immediately joined Championship club Coventry City on loan until the end of December 2009.[13] [14]

On 1 February 2010, Cork joined Premier League club Burnley on loan until the end of the 2009–10 season.[15] He made his first appearance for Burnley in a 3–0 defeat away to Fulham on his Premier League debut. He then played in a 5–2 defeat against Aston Villa on 21 February 2010 and assisted Burnley's second goal.[16] Cork scored his first goal for Burnley on 9 May 2010 in a 4–2 home win over Tottenham Hotspur, with a diving header to score Burnley's second to turn over a two-goal lead.[17] His father revealed the day before in a local newspaper, the Lancashire Telegraph, that Cork was looking to leave Chelsea in the summer and was willing to drop down into the Championship in order to do so.[18]

On 8 August 2010, Chelsea said that they would allow Cork to leave the club and were looking for offers of around £2 million.[19] On 12 August, Cork re-joined Burnley on loan for the 2010–11 season.[20] Cork scored a last minute winner at home to Derby County on 27 November, taking Burnley into the play-off positions.[21]

Southampton

On 7 July 2011, Cork signed for newly promoted Championship club Southampton, after they agreed an undisclosed fee with Chelsea.[22] Cork ended the 2011–12 season as the only Southampton player who appeared in every league match,[23] as the club earned promotion to the Premier League as runners-up in the Championship.[24]

Cork missed Southampton's opening fixtures of the 2012–13 Premier League, due to an ankle injury, sustained against Bristol City in a friendly and a League Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday.[25] On 26 August 2014, he scored his first goal for Southampton in a 2–0 away victory over Millwall in the second round of the League Cup.[26]

He scored his first league goal for the club in a 4–0 home win over Newcastle United on 13 September 2014[27] and his second and final league goal for the club came in an 8–0 home win over Sunderland on 18 October.[28]

Swansea City

Cork signed for Southampton's Premier League rivals Swansea City on 30 January 2015 on a three-and-a-half-year contract,[29] for a fee "believed to be in the region of £3 million".[30] On 25 April 2015, he scored his first goal for Swansea in a 3–2 away win over Newcastle United.[31]

Over a year after his first goal for the club, on 1 May 2016, he scored his second, with a 20-yard curling shot in a 3–1 home victory over Liverpool.[32] This victory helped secure Swansea's Premier League status for the 2016–17 season.[33]

Burnley

Cork returned to Premier League club Burnley on 11 July 2017 on a four-year contract, for fee reported to be in the region of £8 million, rising to £10 million with add-ons.[34] [35] He scored his first goal on his return to Burnley in an EFL Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers on 23 August 2017.[36] His first Premier League goal for Burnley came against his former club Swansea City in a 2–0 win on 18 November. That goal ended a run of 43 appearances without a goal for the player.[37]

On 16 August 2018, he scored the winning goal in Burnley's 1–0 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir in the Europa League qualifiers.[38]

On 20 June 2022, following relegation to the Championship, Cork signed a new two-year contract with the club.[39] The club were promoted to the championship for the 2023-24 season on 7 April 2023, however, on 18 May 2024, it was announced that Cork would leave the club at the expiration of his contract following Burnley's immediate relegation back to the Championship.[40]

International career

England

Cork has represented England at many youth levels, making his under-19 debut against the Czech Republic in May 2007.[41] He captained the England U19 squad to make the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, and was part of the under-21 squad at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[42]

On 7 November 2017, Cork was called into the England squad for friendly matches against Germany and Brazil.[43] He made his debut on 10 November 2017 as an 86th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw against Germany at Wembley Stadium.[44]

Great Britain Olympic team

On 2 July 2012, Cork was named in Stuart Pearce's 18-man Great Britain squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics.[45] He made his debut on 20 July in a 2–0 loss to Brazil in a pre-tournament friendly, coming on at half-time to replace Daniel Sturridge.[46] He played as a substitute in each of Great Britain's three group matches, and was an unused substitute as the team were knocked out by South Korea in the quarter-final.[47]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea2006–07Premier League00000000
2007–08Premier League000000
2008–09Premier League000000
2009–10Premier League00000000
2010–11Premier League000000
Total0000000000
AFC Bournemouth (loan)2006–07League One702090
Scunthorpe United (loan)2007–08Championship34210352
Southampton (loan)2008–09Championship23020250
Watford (loan)2008–09Championship19021211
Coventry City (loan)2009–10Championship210210
Burnley (loan)2009–10Premier League111111
2010–11Championship4033030463
Total5143030574
Southampton2011–12Championship4601020490
2012–13Premier League2801010300
2013–14Premier League2802030330
2014–15Premier League1221021153
Total114250811273
Swansea City2014–15Premier League151151
2015–16Premier League3511000361
2016–17Premier League3001010320
Total8022010832
Swansea City U232016–171010
Burnley2017–18Premier League3821021413
2018–19Premier League371200062453
2019–20Premier League3002000320
2020–21Premier League1602000180
2021–22Premier League2011030231
2022–23Championship3904010440
2023–24Premier League40002060
Total184412081622107
Career total533142712227258919

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England201710
Total10

Honours

Burnley

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed . Premier League . 2 February 2018 . 10 February 2018.
  2. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 . 2010 . Mainstream Publishing . Edinburgh . 978-1-84596-601-0 . 95.
  3. Web site: Jack Cork . Burnley F.C. . 31 July 2022.
  4. News: Pepper . James . Carshalton star Jack Cork gets praise from ex Wimbledon star father Alan Cork . 21 January 2021 . Your Local Guardian . 1 August 2012.
  5. Web site: England Football Online . 14 May 2018 . 9 August 2018.
  6. Web site: Minute Detail: Chelsea 2 Club America 1 . Chelsea F.C. . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140607021059/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/1073236 . 7 June 2014.
  7. Web site: Scunthorpe 2–1 Coventry . BBC Sport . 1 March 2008 . 4 May 2014.
  8. Web site: Championship: 2007/08: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 11 November 2017.
  9. Web site: Vote for your Player of the Season 2016/17 . Scunthorpe United F.C. . 29 March 2017 . 11 November 2017.
  10. News: Saints bag Chelsea's Cork on loan . BBC Sport . 21 August 2008 . 11 November 2017.
  11. Web site: Watford sign Chelsea's Jack Cork on loan until end of season . 13 July 2018 . 2 January 2009 . Frank . Smith.
  12. Web site: Watford 4–3 Crystal Palace . BBC Sport . 24 January 2009 . 1 September 2009.
  13. Web site: Chelsea kid Jack Cork handed new three-year deal . Mirror . 6 September 2009 . 9 August 2018.
  14. Web site: Cork may extend stay at Coventry . BBC Sport . 24 August 2009 . 9 August 2018.
  15. News: Burnley boss delighted with signing of Chelsea youngster . BBC Sport . 1 February 2010 . 11 November 2017.
  16. News: Bevan . Chris . Aston Villa 5–2 Burnley . BBC Sport . 20 June 2011 . 21 February 2010.
  17. News: Burnley 4–2 Tottenham . BBC Sport . 20 June 2011 . 9 May 2010.
  18. News: Flanagan . Chris . Burnley midfielder Cork is ready to leave Chelsea, says father . Lancashire Telegraph . Blackburn . 8 May 2010 . 4 May 2014.
  19. Web site: Scholes . Tony . Cork can go say Chelsea . Clarets Mad . Digital Sports Group . 8 August 2010 . 20 June 2011.
  20. Web site: Loan star Jack's the Lad – Again! . https://web.archive.org/web/20120927082801/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0%2C%2C10413~2119751%2C00.html . 27 September 2012 . Burnley F.C. . 12 August 2010 . dead.
  21. Web site: Burnley 2–1 Derby . BBC Sport . 27 November 2010 . 9 August 2018.
  22. Web site: Saints sign Jack Cork . https://web.archive.org/web/20110907120400/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10280~2388516%2C00.html . 7 September 2011 . Southampton F.C. . 7 July 2011 . dead.
  23. Web site: Southampton FC Player Appearances . Centurycomm . 11 September 2018.
  24. Web site: Championship: 2011/12: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 11 November 2017.
  25. Web site: Southampton midfielder Jack Cork out for up to six weeks . BBC Sport . 27 September 2012 . 9 August 2018.
  26. News: Millwall 0–2 Southampton . 26 August 2014 . BBC Sport . 26 August 2014.
  27. News: Chowdhury . Saj . Southampton 4–0 Newcastle . BBC Sport . 19 October 2014 . 13 September 2014.
  28. News: Reddy . Luke . Southampton 8–0 Sunderland . BBC Sport . 18 October 2014 . 18 October 2014.
  29. News: Jack Cork: Swansea City finalise signing of Southampton midfielder . BBC Sport . 31 January 2015 . 30 January 2015.
  30. News: Swansea complete £3m signing of Jack Cork from Southampton . The Guardian . London . 31 January 2015 . 30 January 2015.
  31. News: Cork nets first Swansea goal . 26 April 2015 . Sky Sports.
  32. News: Swansea City 3–1 Liverpool . 1 May 2016 . Sky Sports.
  33. News: Swansea City 3–1 Liverpool . 1 May 2017 . Dafydd . Pritchard . BBC Sport . 11 November 2017.
  34. Web site: Cork: It's Great To Be Back! . Burnley F.C. . 11 July 2017 . 11 July 2017 . 28 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180928034416/https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2017/july/cork-its-great-to-be-back/ . dead .
  35. News: Pritchard . Dafydd . Jack Cork: Burnley sign midfielder from Swansea City for about £10m . 11 July 2017 . BBC Sport . 11 July 2017.
  36. News: Blackburn Rovers 0–2 Burnley . BBC Sport . 23 August 2017 . 29 August 2017.
  37. Web site: Matthew . Henry . Burnley 2–0 Swansea City . BBC Sport . 8 April 2018 . 18 November 2017.
  38. Web site: Emons . Michael . Burnley 1–0 Istanbul Basaksehir . BBC Sport . 17 August 2018 . 16 August 2018.
  39. Web site: JACK CORK SIGNS NEW CONTRACT. www.burnleyfootballclub.com. 20 June 2022. 20 June 2022.
  40. https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/burnley-midfield-duo-depart
  41. Web site: Lions grab consolation . https://archive.today/20071029052657/http://www.thefa.com/England/U19s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/05/U19sEliteRound_CzechReport.htm . dead . 29 October 2007 . The Football Association.
  42. Web site: Burnley on-loan star Cork earns England U21 selection . Lancashire Telegraph . 23 February 2018 . 9 August 2018.
  43. News: Jack Cork: Burnley midfielder called up to England squad after trio withdraw . BBC Sport . 7 November 2017 . 7 November 2017.
  44. News: Phil . McNulty . England 0–0 Germany . BBC Sport . 10 November 2017 . 11 November 2017.
  45. News: Pearce names squad . Sky Sports . 2 July 2012 . 2 July 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100721195910/http://www1.skysports.com/olympics/story/15234/7859286 . 21 July 2010.
  46. News: Duncan . White . London 2012 Olympics: Great Britain 0 Brazil 2 . The Daily Telegraph . London . 20 July 2012 . 14 November 2017.
  47. News: Henry . Winter . London 2012 Olympics: Great Britain 1 Senegal 1 . The Daily Telegraph . London . 26 July 2012 . 14 November 2017.
    News: Henry . Winter . London 2012 Olympics: Great Britain overcome UAE to set up Uruguay decider . The Daily Telegraph . London . 30 July 2012 . 14 November 2017.
    News: Henry . Winter . London 2012 Olympics: Great Britain 1 Uruguay 0 – Match report . The Daily Telegraph . London . 2 August 2012 . 14 November 2017.
    News: Henry . Winter . London 2012 Olympics; Team GB 1 South Korea 1 aet (4–5 pens): Match report . The Daily Telegraph . London . 4 August 2012 . 14 November 2017.
  48. Web site: Long . Dan . 25 April 2023 . Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Burnley: Vincent Kompany's Clarets clinch Championship title after Manuel Benson stunner . 25 April 2023 . Sky Sports.