Michael John Cook (born 18 October 1968) is an English former professional footballer. He was most recently the manager of National League South side Chippenham Town.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael John Cook[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1968-10-18) 18 October 1968 (age 53)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Stroud, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | |||
| 000?–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 | ? | (?) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2004–2006 | Cinderford Town | ||
| 2019 | Gloucester City | ||
| 2020–2022 | Chippenham Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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]
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]
Gloucester City A.F.C. – managers | |
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