Ian Cooke (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Ian Cooke is an English former professional footballer who played for Wimbledon
for his entire career.
club Wimbledon
in 1963, and played in the club's final two amateur matches a year later. Wimbledon turned professional in 1964, and Cooke's employers, Westminster Bank
, initially refused to let him sign for the club. Wimbledon eventually managed to secure Cooke's signature, and the young forward had made eight appearances by the end of the 1964–65 season. Cooke broke into the side during the following season, and scored 29 goals in 44 matches to be Wimbledon's top scorer, something he would remain for six out of the next seven seasons. Cooke later became captain of Wimbledon, and moved back into midfield during his later years as a player; taking part in Wimbledon's final season as a non-League
club, Cooke's career finally ended in 1977, just before Wimbledon's election to The Football League
. Cooke made the second highest number of appearances for Wimbledon, with 615; his 297 goals was also the second highest number scored for the club.
, the club founded by supporters in 2002 after approval had been given to Wimbledon F.C.'s relocation to Milton Keynes
.
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
for his entire career.
Playing career
Cooke joined the amateur Isthmian LeagueIsthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
club Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
in 1963, and played in the club's final two amateur matches a year later. Wimbledon turned professional in 1964, and Cooke's employers, Westminster Bank
Westminster Bank
Westminster Bank was a British retail bank which operated in England and Wales from 1834 until its merger into the National Westminster Bank in 1970; it remains a registered company but is dormant...
, initially refused to let him sign for the club. Wimbledon eventually managed to secure Cooke's signature, and the young forward had made eight appearances by the end of the 1964–65 season. Cooke broke into the side during the following season, and scored 29 goals in 44 matches to be Wimbledon's top scorer, something he would remain for six out of the next seven seasons. Cooke later became captain of Wimbledon, and moved back into midfield during his later years as a player; taking part in Wimbledon's final season as a non-League
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
club, Cooke's career finally ended in 1977, just before Wimbledon's election to The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. Cooke made the second highest number of appearances for Wimbledon, with 615; his 297 goals was also the second highest number scored for the club.
Post-playing career
Cooke later became a director of AFC WimbledonAFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
, the club founded by supporters in 2002 after approval had been given to Wimbledon F.C.'s relocation to Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes...
.