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Ian Cooke (footballer)

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Ian Cooke
Personal information
Place of birth England
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1977 Wimbledon 427 (191)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ian Cooke is an English former professional footballer who played for Wimbledon for his entire career.

Playing career

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Cooke joined the amateur Isthmian League club Wimbledon in 1963,[1] and played in the club's final two amateur matches a year later.[1] Wimbledon turned professional in 1964, and Cooke's employers, Westminster Bank, initially refused to let him sign for the club.[1] Wimbledon eventually managed to secure Cooke's signature, and the young forward had made eight appearances by the end of the 1964–65 season.[2] Cooke broke into the side during the following season, and scored 29 goals in 44 matches to be Wimbledon's top scorer,[2] something he would remain for six out of the next seven seasons.[2] Cooke later became captain of Wimbledon,[1] and moved back into midfield during his later years as a player;[1] taking part in Wimbledon's final season as a non-League club,[1] Cooke's career finally ended in 1977, just before Wimbledon's election to The Football League.[1] 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.[2]

Post-playing career

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Cooke later became a director of AFC Wimbledon, the club founded by supporters in 2002 after approval had been given to Wimbledon F.C.'s relocation to Milton Keynes.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "The Players". Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Jones, Marc. "Ian Cooke". FOTO. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  3. ^ "History in a Capsule at Plough Lane". Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2009.