Ernie Cooksey

Ernie Cooksey
Personal information
Full name Ernest George Cooksey
Date of birth (1980-06-11)11 June 1980
Place of birth Bishop's Stortford, England
Date of death 3 July 2008(2008-07-03) (aged 28)
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position Utility player
Youth career
19??–1997 Colchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
199?–1998 Heybridge Swifts ? (?)
1998–2000 Bishop's Stortford ? (?)
2000–2002 Chesham United 25 (4)
2002 Bromley ? (?)
2002–2003 Crawley Town 34 (3)
2003–2004 Oldham Athletic 37 (4)
2004–2007 Rochdale 87 (8)
2007 Boston United 16 (0)
2007–2008 Grays Athletic 19 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Ernest George Cooksey (11 June 1980 – 3 July 2008) was an English footballer, who was a utility player. He started as a trainee with Colchester United, before joining non-League clubs Heybridge Swifts, Bishop's Stortford, Chesham United and Bromley. In 2002, he joined Southern Football League Premier Division side Crawley Town before turning professional with Football League side Oldham Athletic in 2003.

He then moved to Rochdale in 2004 and Boston United in 2007, totalling 140 appearances in the Football League over a four-year period. He dropped down back into non-League football, joining Conference National club Grays Athletic, making 19 league appearances.

Cooksey had a form of skin cancer removed from his back in 2006, but was diagnosed with a recurrence of a malignant melanoma in February 2008. He died in the early hours of 3 July 2008, aged 28.

Football career

Early career

Cooksey had started his career as a trainee with Colchester United,[1] prior to moving onto a number of non-League clubs. His first move was to Heybridge Swifts before joining Bishop's Stortford in 1998. He then moved onto Chesham United in 2000, leaving in 2002 to have a brief spell at Bromley.[2][3][4]

He joined Southern Football League Premier Division club, Crawley Town in July 2002,[5] ready for the 2002–03 season. Cooksey made his debut for Crawley on 26 August, against Welling United coming on as a substitute, after he returned from coaching schoolchildren in Las Vegas, United States for six-months.[6][7] He made 34 appearances, scoring once during his spell with Crawley,[8] helping them to finish seventh in the Southern Football League Premier Division.[9]

Turning professional

Cooksey joined Oldham Athletic on trial in July 2003.[10] At the age of 23, he stepped up three leagues into professional football permanently when Iain Dowie signed him on for financially troubled Oldham in August,[3] who were in the Second Division. Bob Dowie, who was Cooksey's former manager at Chesham United, recommended the player to his brother, Iain.[3] He followed in the footsteps of Fitz Hall and Wayne Andrews who also joined the club from Chesham as recommendations from Bob Dowie.[10] Cooksey scored twice in Oldham's 3–0 home victory over Carlisle United in their FA Cup first round match on 8 November 2003.[11][12] When the new season, 2003–04, started Cooksey was unable to make his debut due to suspension.[13] He made 37 Second Division appearances for Oldham in the 2003–04 season, scoring four goals.[3][14]

Cooksey started the 2004–05 season with Oldham Athletic, playing one match,[14] away against Luton Town on 7 August.[15] He was released by Oldham on 15 September,[16] after he was left out of manager Brian Talbot's plans.[17][18] He dropped down into the Third Division, newly renamed as League Two and signed for Rochdale a day later on 16 September, despite discussing terms with Carlisle United.[14][16] He made his debut, away against Mansfield Town in the 1–0 away defeat on 18 September.[19] During his first season with Rochdale, Cooksey picked up six yellow cards and two red cards on the field.[14] However, his first red card of the season against Notts County was later overturned and downgraded to a yellow after a successful appeal to The FA.[20]

At the start of the 2006–07 season, he signed a 12-month extension to his contract.[21] He spent more than two years with League Two side Rochdale, before joining Boston United in the January transfer window of 2007.[22] Boston United were reduced to just 12 professionals on their books in the closing stages of the 2006–07 season,[23] as the club could not afford to pay players wages.[24] Cooksey had not been paid since February, and was spending £30 a day in fuel travelling from his Manchester home.[24] He spent six months at Boston United and played 16 League Two games,[14] but was unable to prevent them from being relegated from The Football League on the final day of the season.

Return to non-League

Following his release from Boston United, Cooksey stated that he'd like to reunite with former Boston manager Steve Evans, who was now manager of Cooksey's previous club, Crawley Town.[25] He had an unsuccessful trial at Barnet,[26][27] before joining Conference National side Grays Athletic in July 2007.[28] He made his debut in Grays' first game of the season away to Torquay United in the 0–0 draw, on 12 August.[29] Cooksey was sent-off in Grays' 1–0 home defeat on 8 September,[30] for a mistimed tackle on Michael Brough, as his trailing leg caught the opposition player.[31] His last ever game before his death was for Grays Athletic at home in a Conference National match, against Exeter City on 16 February 2008.[14][32] Cooksey played the full 90 minutes in the 2–0 defeat.[32] During the 2007–08 season, he made 19 appearances in the Conference for Grays.[14]

Playing style

Cooksey was a utility player,[33] due to his versatility on the left-flank and in the centre of midfield as a box-to-box midfielder.[34] He was predominately a Midfielder,[35] throughout his career playing in the centre or on the left-wing.[36] During his spell with Grays Athletic, he was used as a defender, playing as a left full-back.[37]

Personal life and illness

Before joining Oldham Athletic in August 2003, Cooksey worked as a builder fitting false ceilings,[38] leaving the better-paid job to fulfil a lifelong ambition to become a professional footballer.[39]

In early 2008, he was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer.[40] He had fought the disease before,[40] when he had a form of skin cancer removed from his back in 2006.[2] Cooksey suspected his cancer originated from a six-month spell coaching schoolchildren in the searing heat of Las Vegas in the United States.[7] In April 2008, Grays Athletic staged a benefit match for Cooksey. The match consisted of former professional players, as well as current professionals such as Leroy Lita, Nicky Shorey, Aaron McLean, Ray Parlour, Justin Edinburgh, Iain Dowie, Bob Dowie, Clive Allen, Scott Fitzgerald and Paul Merson.[41][42] He returned to his former club Oldham Athletic in May 2008, where another benefit match was staged for his appeal at Boundary Park, attended by 1,500 fans to see such former players as John Barnes, Luther Blissett and Chris Waddle as well as television actors from Coronation Street.[42][43]

Cooksey was born in Bishop's Stortford. He died in the early hours of 3 July 2008, at the age of 28,[44] five weeks before partner Louise Newlove was due to give birth to their first child.[45][46][47] Newlove gave birth to their daughter, Isabella-Georgia Cooksey, on 27 July 2008.[47]

Tributes

Before the League Cup match between Oldham Athletic and Rochdale on 12 August 2008, both sets of players and management emerged from the tunnel wearing special Ernie Cooksey T-shirts bearing the number 4, the shirt number he wore at both clubs.[48] The T-shirts bore both clubs' crests on the front along with the slogan "ERNIE COOKSEY – A TRUE GENT", and the reverse read "4 ERNIE".[48] A bucket collection also took place with all the proceeds going to a fund set up in Cooksey's name.[49] Additionally, his family, including partner Louise, were present at the game.[49]

Oldham Athletic fans had a St George's Cross flag made in his honour, which was due to be displayed at Oldham's matches, as well as being taken abroad for England international fixtures.[50] The tribute flag was stolen in February 2009, when Spanish hooligans attacked English fans in Seville before an international friendly on 20 February, stealing England flags from fans as trophies.[51] The flag was replaced after a number of donations helped to cover the costs.[50]

References

  1. ↑ "Ernie loses battle with cancer". Colchester United F.C. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  2. 1 2 Hammonds, Stuart (6 July 2008). "Ernie lives on in our baby". The Non-League Paper. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Oldham snap up Cooksey". Non-League Daily. 2 August 2003. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  4. ↑ "New signings imminent for Bromley". Non-League Daily. 20 May 2002. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  5. ↑ "Crawley add newcomer number seven to squad". Non-League Daily. 10 July 2002. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  6. ↑ "Sponsorship boost for Crawley". Non-League Daily. 29 August 2002. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  7. 1 2 Marsden, Carl (16 April 2008). "Latics favourite Ernie on his fight for life". Non-League Daily. Archived from the original on 22 April 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  8. ↑ "Player Details: Season 2002–2003". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  9. ↑ "Dr. Martens League: Season 2002–2003". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  10. 1 2 "Cooksey books in". Oldham Advertiser. 9 July 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  11. ↑ "Fixtures/Results: Oldham 3 – 0 Carlisle". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  12. ↑ Marsden, Carl (9 November 2003). "Ernie Cooks up an easy cup passage". Oldham Advertiser. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  13. ↑ Marsden, Carl (6 August 2003). "Dowie doubt". Oldham Advertiser. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Players: Ernie Cooksey". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  15. ↑ "Fixtures/Results: Luton 2 – 1 Oldham". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  16. 1 2 "Rochdale snap up Cooksey". BBC Sport. 15 September 2004. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  17. ↑ Hepburn, Iain (16 September 2004). "Cooksey makes Rochdale switch". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  18. ↑ Greaney, Jon (17 September 2004). "Immediate impact". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  19. ↑ "Fixtures/Results: Mansfield 1 – 0 Rochdale". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  20. ↑ "Cooksey cleared to face Charlton". BBC Sport. 6 January 2005. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  21. ↑ "Dunphy named as Rochdale chairman". BBC Sport. 1 July 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  22. ↑ "Boston manager snaps up new trio". BBC Sport. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
  23. ↑ McVay, David (10 April 2007). "Boston earn points not wages". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
  24. 1 2 Dart, Tom (5 May 2007). "Why a single ring on the phone will spell the end for Boston". The Times. London. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  25. ↑ "Cooksey would like Evans reunion". The Argus. 3 June 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  26. ↑ Signy, Dennis; Harrison, James (11 July 2008). "Experienced trialists at Underhill". Barnet F.C. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  27. ↑ Rutledge, Lewis. "Leary makes Bees switch". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  28. ↑ "Edinburgh nets midfielder Cooksey". BBC Sport. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2007.
  29. ↑ "Fixtures/Results: Torquay 0 – 0 Grays". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  30. ↑ "Fixtures/Results: Grays 0 – 1 Forest Green". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  31. ↑ Casey, Michael (8 September 2008). "Grays see red". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  32. 1 2 "Fixtures/Results: Grays 0 – 2 Exeter". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  33. ↑ "Grays footballer battles cancer a second time". Thurrock Gazette. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  34. ↑ Casey, Michael (7 September 2007). "Forest Green Preview". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  35. ↑ "Grays flounder". Thurrock Gazette. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  36. ↑ "Profile Details: Ernie Cooksey". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
  37. ↑ Casey, Michael (7 August 2007). "Edinburgh in positive mood despite defeat, row and red card!". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  38. ↑ "Oldham Athletic: Ernie Cooksey column". Manchester Evening News. 27 April 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  39. ↑ Marsden, Carl (9 July 2008). "Ernie is at peace". Oldham Advertiser. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  40. 1 2 Hammonds, Stuart (2 March 2008). "Cooksey: I'll Beat Cancer". The Non-League Paper. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  41. ↑ "Ernie Cooksey Benefit Match". Grays Athletic F.C. 28 April 2008. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
  42. 1 2 Wilkinson, Damon (5 July 2008). "Tributes roll in for former Dale star". Rochdale Observer. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  43. ↑ "Emotional return to the Latics for Ernie". Oldham Advertiser. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  44. ↑ "Grays' Ernie Cooksey dies". Thurrock Gazette. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  45. ↑ "Former Latics ace loses cancer battle". Oldham Advertiser. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  46. ↑ "Ernie Cooksey". Grays Athletic F.C. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  47. 1 2 "Ernie's Little Princess". The Non-League Paper. 3 August 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  48. 1 2 "Rival fans unite in tribute to Ernie". Rochdale Observer. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  49. 1 2 "Latics & Dale reveal Cooksey tribute". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2008.
  50. 1 2 Yarwood, Michael (12 August 2008). "Fans' tribute to the life of tragic Ernie". Oldham Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  51. ↑ Marsden, Carl (18 February 2009). "We'll keep Ernie's flag flying". Oldham Advertiser. Retrieved 14 April 2009.

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