Mike Cook (footballer)

Mike Cook
Personal information
Full name Michael John Cook[1]
Date of birth (1968-10-18) 18 October 1968 (age 56)[1]
Place of birth Stroud, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Wolverhampton Wanderers
?–1985 Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1989 Coventry City 0 (0)
1987 → York City (loan) 6 (1)
1989–1991 Cambridge United 17 (1)
1990 → York City (loan) 6 (0)
1990–1991 Wycombe Wanderers ? (?)
1993–1994 Corby Town ? (?)
2001–2003 Gloucester City 12 (0)
Managerial career
2004–2006 Cinderford Town
2019 Gloucester City
2020–2022 Chippenham Town
2023 Swindon Town Women
2023– Gloucester City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Michael John Cook (born 18 October 1968) is an English manager and former professional footballer. He is currently the manager of Southern League Premier Division South 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]

References

  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 135. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. ^ Jarred, Martin; Windross, Dave (1997). Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. Citizen Publications. p. 24. ISBN 0-9531005-0-2.
  3. ^ "York City : 1946/47 – 2003/04". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Cambridge United : 1970/71 – 2004/05". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  5. ^ Lane, Ellis (12 December 2019). "Ex-Gloucester boss in court on allegations of dangerous driving". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  6. ^ Hawkins, John (6 February 2020). "Former Gloucester manager banned from driving after road rage". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "Cook flies Robins' nest for dream role". Gloucestershire Echo. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  8. ^ "Player Profile Mike Cook". NonLeague Daily. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  9. ^ "2004/05 News Archive". Zamaretto League. 18 September 2004. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  10. ^ "Gloucester City name former Coventry City player and ex-Cinderford Town boss as new manager". Gloucestershire Live. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  11. ^ https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gloucester-city-name-former-coventry- [dead link‍]
  12. ^ Palmer, Jon (17 November 2019). ""I'm devastated I didn't have chance to finish job"". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  13. ^ "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. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Chippenham Town has appointed Mike Cook as the club's permanent manager". Gazette & Herald. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  15. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT – Manager, Mike Cook". chippenhamtown.com. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Mike Cook returns to City". Gloucester City AFC. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.