Ex Sky Blue ‘Cooky’ Is 58 Today! ‘Many Happy Returns’, Paul!!
Congratulations to CCFPA member and former Sky Blue midfielder Paul Cook who is celebrating his 58th birthday today!
Paul is a Liverpudlian born on the 22nd February 1967 and since February 2022 has returned to manage National League Chesterfield FC and in 2023-24 got them back to the Football League where they are now doing pretty good (at the time of writing 10th in League Two in Feb.2025)! Prior to that, from March 2021, Paul was in charge, in an unhappy period, of League One Ipswich Town. Earlier, from May 2017 to July 2020 Paul had been manager of troubled League One club Wigan Athletic (one of his old playing clubs). In his first season there he led Wigan to the League One title and an brilliant F.A.Cup run which removed three top flight opponents, West Ham United, Bournemouth and, most impressively, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City!
Paul had moved to the ‘Latics after two seasons with south coast club Portsmouth having guided Pompey to promotion to League One. He was previously in the gaffer’s seat of in his first stint with Derbyshire club Chesterfield Town, joining them in October 2012 and was also instrumental in helping them into League One.
As a player, Paul came to Highfield Road from Wolverhampton Wanderers after turning out for Marine, Wigan Athletic and Norwich City. ‘Cooky’ made 42 Sky Blues appearances in total (three goals) between 1994 and 1996.
When he left the Sky Blues he then had spells with Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County, Burnley, Wigan Athletic (again) and Accrington Stanley in total making nearly 750 league and cup appearances for his various clubs.
On hanging up his boots, prior to Chesterfield (above), Paul had also managed Southport (2006), Sligo Rovers and Accrington Stanley. Paul joined CCFPA in 2014.
The Association hopes Paul has a very happy day today and hopes to see him at an Association function back in Coventry whenever his commitments allow.
