Stephen Cooke

Playing career Aston Villa Cooke was born in Walsall and began his career as a trainee at the FA National School of Excellence in Lilleshall between 1997 and 1999. He then signed as a trainee at Manchester United. He then moved to Aston Villa. Cooke turned professional in July 2000. He made his first team debut on 2 August 2000, coming on as a second-half substitute for Julian Joachim in Villa's 2–1 defeat at home to Celta Vigo in the UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-final second-leg. Cooke was regularly training with the first team under manager John Gregory. making his Football League debut in Bournemouth's 5–1 win at home to Northampton Town on 9 March. He returned to Villa before the end of the season.

On 1 January 2003, he made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa, coming as a late substitute for Ulises De la Cruz in Villa's 2–0 home win over Bolton Wanderers. He made two further appearances that season for Aston Villa, as a late substitute for Dion Dublin in the 1–0 defeat at home to Manchester United in March and as a second-half substitute for Stefan Moore in the 3–1 defeat away to Leeds United on the final day of the season.

Cooke later claimed that manager Graham Taylor saw him as a wide player, rather than his preferred central midfield position. During one team meeting in the 2002–03 season, Taylor singled out Cooke in a team meeting by saying 'how long am I going to have to wait for you to start doing what you need to do?' Taylor wanted Cooke to 'play wide but run the game', leaving Cooke confused about his role in the team. He severely injured his ankle while on loan which did not heal. Cooke was still injured when he signed and was unsure if his fitness would ever return. He made the good start to his Torquay United career scoring on his debut, but the club lost 5–2 away to Notts County on 19 January. He returned to Bournemouth and was released at the end of the season.

Halesowen Town On 3 August 2007, Halesowen Town confirmed that Cooke had joined the club along with two other former League players, in the shape of Terry Fleming and Duane Darby.

In September 2007 he undertook a trial with Grimsby Town and later trialled with Wrexham. Cooke later claimed he had offers to play in the United States.

Bloxwich United Cooke signed for Bloxwich United in September 2009, following his release from Halesowen.

Pelsall Villa Cooke's stay at Bloxwich United was not a long one, and he soon left to join Pelsall Villa.

Coaching career Cooke has served as a coach at Chasetown FC.