Jeff Cook (English footballer)


Jeffery William Cook is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for Bradford City, Halifax Town, Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City.

Career

Cook was born in Hartlepool but began his footballing career with South African side Hellenic. Coach at Hellenic was George Eastham and he left in March 1977 to become manager of Stoke City and he brought Cook to Stoke in November 1977. He made to good start scoring in his second game against Blackpool but with Stoke having a poor season Eastham was replaced by Alan Durban in January 1978 and consequently Cook was loaned out to Bradford City. He scored once in eight matches for the "Bantams" and then scored five in seven for Plymouth Argyle. He returned to the Stoke first team in 1979–80 playing 14 matches which included four goals in three games. However, he was unable to maintain his run in the first team at the Victoria Ground and left for Plymouth Argyle in October 1981 this time on a permanent basis.
In 1981–82 at Home Park Cook scored 16 goals in 38 matches but he managed just five goals in 26 in 1982–83 and was sold to Fourth Division, Halifax Town. He spent two years at the Shay scoring ten goals in 65 appearances. He later played for non-league Worksop Town.
Following the end of his footballing career in 1985, he worked for the PFA's Football in the Community scheme. In 1993 he qualified as a primary school teacher and spent his entire teaching career in the same school. He went on to become Head teacher for seven years, before retiring in August 2017.

Career statistics

Source: