Matt Cook

Matthew Cook (born 14 November 1986) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a and for the Widnes Vikings in the Championship.

On 1 September 2009, Cook signed for Hull Kingston Rovers on a 2-year contract, starting with the 2010 season.

2010s In 2010, Cook made his Hull Kingston Rovers début on 7 February against Salford Red Devils. He also played in the club's first ever Super League play-off win with a 24–04 victory over local rivals Hull F.C.

In 2011, Cook found his game time limited but still managed to score an impressive 5-tries in only 10 games for the Robins.

On 1 September 2011, Cook signed for London Broncos on a 3-year contract, starting with the 2012 season.

In 2012, Cook made his London Broncos début on 12 February against Warrington Wolves.

In 2013, Cooks dreams of playing at Wembley Stadium in the Challenge Cup final came to an end when the team came crashing to an embarrassing 70–0 record semi-final defeat to Wigan Warriors.

In 2014, after the club narrowly avoided going into administration at the end of 2013, Cook was handed the tough challenge of Captaining a young and inexperienced London Broncos team that sadly resulted in their relegation to Championship (rugby league). Cook was also voted the London Broncos Supporters Player of the year and was praised for his efforts having not missed a single game all season.

On 1 September 2014, Cook signed for Castleford Tigers on a 3-year contract, starting with the 2015 season.

In 2015, Cook made his second Castleford Tigers début on 27 February against St. Helens.

In 2016, having played the majority of the season's fixtures Cook was relieved to have scored his only try of the season in the last fixture of the campaign against Widnes Vikings, happily avoiding the dreaded traditional rugby league forfeit of having to do a nude run.

In 2017, Cook made history with the Castleford Tigers when they topped the league for the first time in the club's 95-year history to lift the League Leaders' Shield. Cook also played in his and the Castleford Tigers first Super League Grand Final against the Leeds Rhinos where, on his and the Castleford Tigers maiden Grand Final, he had to settle for a runners-up medal at Old Trafford.

In 2018, Cook made his 250th career appearance in Castleford Tigers 30–34 Super League victory over Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on 8 June.

In 2019, Cook made his 100th Castleford Tigers appearance during the clubs Super League round-nine victory over Wigan Warriors at Wheldon Road on 5 April where he also got to bag a try in the occasion. Cook also made his 250th Super League appearance in the Castleford Tigers 44–12 Super League victory over Hull F.C. at Wheldon Road on 5 September where he again scored a try on the occasion.

2020s On 6 August 2020, it was announced that Cook would leave Castleford to join Widnes Vikings on a 1-year deal.

In 2021, Cook made his RFL Championship début for the Widnes Vikings against Whitehaven R.L.F.C. on Sunday 28 March 2021.

On Tuesday, 7 September, Cook announced he would be retiring from professional Rugby League after the conclusion of the RFL Championship 2021 season.

On Sunday, 19 September 2021, Cook made his final professional career appearance in Widnes Vikings 16–26 victory over Swinton Lions in the last fixture of the season.

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