Simon Cook
Professional Website
My Playing Story
I was born and raised in Warrington which is in the Northwest of England. It lies central to Manchester and Liverpool, about 20 miles from both, and is within a 30 minute drive of at least 8 professional soccer teams. The Northwest of England really is a hotbed for both Premier League soccer and also Super League rugby. Sport growing up was both very accessible and influential, with the majority of my friends and I dreaming of growing up to be a professional footballer or rugby league player.
Compared to many I played a modest level growing up. I say modest level, but I can play a little. I was one of the best players on my local club teams, I was a regular winner of 3-and-In when playing in the school playground with my friends. I was good enough to captain my high school team and I received several individual and team awards during these years. I played on several inter-league and representative teams whilst in my teens, and went on to play semi-professional soccer with Ashton Town FC in the Northwest Counties league whilst studying for my undergraduate degree at the University of Manchester.
I had a ball at my feet as soon as I could walk and I would take it everywhere with me. I would kick it around the house all the time, kicking it harder and harder before inevitably braking something and being banished outside to play by my parents. My childhood home backed on to the local high school and this would serve as the ideal venue for the subsequent games of pickup soccer with anyone and everyone from the neighborhood willing and wanting to play. We would literally play until you couldn't see the ball anymore, when our parents would drag us all back in for dinner and bed! The ball really was my best friend growing up.
I had been playing soccer for several years before I played my first "real" game, and I still remember that game today, I was aged 7 or 8 and it was for my local primary school (Sycamore Lane), the game ended 3-3 and I scored one of the goals, what a feeling, I loved it, I loved everything about an "organized" game and immediately afterwards I searched for a club team to join so that I could continue playing and scoring.
After countless hours playing “Wally” or "Spot" against my neighbors garage door I could strike and bend a ball with both feet better than most at that age (8-11 years), this enabled me to stand out as a leading scorer on both my club and school teams. Although I was pretty handy at putting the ball in the net, I wasn't the most mobile or quickest, and would struggle against the highest level of opposition and at the quicker speed of game.
When I was 12 my club coach moved me from where I had been playing, center forward (the “9”) to center back (the “3 or 4”), and it was clear that my game understanding, ability to read the game and relative composure on the ball meant I was going to be able to play at a higher level in the back than I ever would have been able to up top (forward). I was certainly suited to playing in the back and this change in position meant I was able to play longer, and at a higher level than I'm sure I would have done as an attacker.
It proved to be a lasting decision and I stayed at center back or holding midfield throughout the remainder of my youth playing days which included, Penketh United, Northwich Victoria Juniors (Mid Cheshire League), University of Manchester, and Ashton Town FC (Northwest Counties).
Now in my 30's I still enjoy playing this beautiful game and regularly get out to Monday night pick-up, Tuesday night Indoor, Thursday night co-ed, or running out for Real Santa Clara over 35's, or Pixar in the "East Bay Friendly Adult League" on Sundays. Of course always wanting to re-live those days of playing forward but usually being promptly sent to the defense where I am more useful.
I am constantly asked, "did you play when growing up?" and my answer is always the same. Yes to a decent level, but I am by far a better coach than I ever was player, and I hope to help the players I coach become better players than I was at their age.