Mike Cook (footballer) explained

Mike Cook
Fullname:Michael John Cook[1]
Birth Date:18 October 1968
Birth Place:Stroud, England
Height:[2]
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears2:?–1985
Youthclubs1:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Youthclubs2:Coventry City
Years1:1985–1989
Years2:1987
Years3:1989–1991
Years4:1990
Years5:1990–1991
Years6:1993–1994
Years7:2001–2003
Clubs1:Coventry City
Clubs2:York City (loan)
Clubs3:Cambridge United
Clubs4:York City (loan)
Clubs5:Wycombe Wanderers
Clubs6:Corby Town
Clubs7:Gloucester City
Caps1:0
Caps2:6
Caps3:17
Caps4:6
Caps5:?
Caps6:?
Caps7:12
Goals1:0
Goals2:1
Goals3:1
Goals4:0
Goals5:?
Goals6:?
Goals7:0
Managerclubs1:Cinderford Town
Manageryears1:2004–2006
Managerclubs2:Gloucester City
Manageryears2:2019
Managerclubs3:Chippenham Town
Manageryears3:2020–2022
Manageryears4:2023
Managerclubs4:Swindon Town Women
Manageryears5:2023–
Managerclubs5:Gloucester City

Michael John Cook (born 18 October 1968) is an English manager and former professional footballer. He is currently the manager of club Gloucester City.

In his playing career, Cook played in the Football League as a midfielder for York City and Cambridge United,[3] [4] after starting his career with an FA Youth Cup win with Coventry City

In December 2019 he appeared in court on allegations of dangerous driving.[5] He pleaded guilty to careless driving in February 2020 and was banned from driving due to the number of points he had accrued.[6]

Career

Born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Cook started his career in the youth team at Coventry City where he won an FA Youth Cup medal. After a brief spell on loan to York City he signed for Cambridge United on a free transfer in 1989.

Cook's career at the Abbey Stadium was blighted by injury; he made only 17 appearances in two seasons. His one goal for the club was a vital one however, scoring at Aldershot to help cement a play-off place at the end of the 1989–90 season. He was also a substitute at Wembley Stadium for the 1–0 win over Chesterfield in the final.

After another loan spell at York City, a spinal injury forced Cook's retirement from the professional game at the age of 22.[7] He had spells in non-League football with Wycombe Wanderers, Corby Town, Cambridge City, and many other clubs, and worked for Cambridge United as Football in the Community officer.[8] Cook took up a similar post at Cheltenham Town in 1999,[7] alongside spells as assistant manager of Gloucester City and, from September 2004, as manager of Cinderford Town.[9] After ten years with Cheltenham, Cook joined the staff of the Professional Footballers' Association in July 2009 as a regional coach educator.[7]

On 8 January 2019 Cook became the manager of Gloucester City, replacing Chris Todd as manager.[10] [11] He was sacked from this role in November 2019.[12]

In January 2020, Cook was appointed interim manager of Chippenham Town until the end of the season[13] before being given the job on a permanent basis following a successful interim spell in March 2020 following the early curtailment of the season.[14] Cook left the club by mutual consent on 9 April 2022.[15]

On 19 September 2023, Cook returned as manager of Gloucester City, being appointed after the departure of previous manager Tim Flowers.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hugman , Barry J. . The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005 . Queen Anne Press . 2005 . 135 . 1-85291-665-6 .
  2. Book: Jarred , Martin . Windross . Dave . Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997 . Citizen Publications . 1997 . 24 . 0-9531005-0-2 .
  3. Web site: York City : 1946/47 – 2003/04 . UK A–Z Transfers . Neil Brown . 2 February 2010.
  4. Web site: Cambridge United : 1970/71 – 2004/05 . UK A–Z Transfers . Neil Brown . 2 February 2010.
  5. Web site: Ex-Gloucester boss in court on allegations of dangerous driving. Lane. Ellis. 2019-12-12. gloucestershirelive. 2019-12-12.
  6. Web site: Former Gloucester manager banned from driving after road rage. Hawkins. John. 2020-02-06. gloucestershirelive. 2020-02-06.
  7. News: Cook flies Robins' nest for dream role . Gloucestershire Echo . 10 July 2009 . 2 February 2010 . dead . https://archive.today/20130505104720/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Cook-flies-Robins-nest-dream-role/article-1153369-detail/article.html . 5 May 2013 .
  8. Web site: Player Profile Mike Cook . NonLeague Daily . 2 February 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120927110732/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/teams/guidetoground.php?mode=playershow&pid=12204&team_id=38&league_id=1 . 27 September 2012 . dead .
  9. Web site: 2004/05 News Archive . Zamaretto League . 18 September 2004 . 2 February 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716233309/http://www.southern-football-league.co.uk/news/news0405.asp?section=archive%20-news . 16 July 2011 . dead .
  10. Web site: Gloucester City name former Coventry City player and ex-Cinderford Town boss as new manager . Gloucestershire Live . 8 January 2019 . 12 January 2019.
  11. https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gloucester-city-name-former-coventry-
  12. Web site: "I'm devastated I didn't have chance to finish job". Palmer. Jon. 2019-11-17. gloucestershirelive. 2019-12-12.
  13. Web site: Chippenham Town Football Club appoint former Gloucester City manager Michael Cook as the club's interim boss until the end of the season. Gazette & Herald. 14 January 2020. 10 April 2022.
  14. Web site: Chippenham Town has appointed Mike Cook as the club's permanent manager. Gazette & Herald. 25 March 2020. 10 April 2022.
  15. Web site: CLUB STATEMENT – Manager, Mike Cook. chippenhamtown.com. 9 April 2022. 10 April 2022.
  16. Web site: 2023-09-19 . Mike Cook returns to City . 2023-09-20 . Gloucester City AFC . en.