Andy Cook Vs David "bronco"Layne

It would be fantastic if the Cookie monster could achieve that feat, but it means 12 more league goals in 10 regular matches.
Just can not see that happening, although i think he will reach 30+ in total the way he is playing. It's a shame we do not really play to his strength's, i think he would benefit from someone else taking some of the weight of being the lone striker off his shoulders.
I was looking at our all time record last night, we very rarely have a striker on 20+ a season , 27 times and in our 119 year history, we have only won 50% or more of a season's league games on 12 occasions.
Amazing scoring record from John McCole 34 ,1958-59, Derek Stokes 35 1959-60 ,and Bronco 36 1961-62. Must have been a great time to watch, even though there was a relegation season 1960-61 when Bronco top scored with 10.
Rod Green also score 31 in 1963-64 and the great Bobby Campbell 33 in 1982-83.

 

A bit before my time Bronco, I born in 1957 and I was taken to Avenue by my dad to watch the likes of Kevin Hector, Jim Fryatt and Bobby Ham but my dad used to tell me how good David "Bronco" Layne was. It was when I started dating my future wife in 1975 that my up and down journey with City started.
The other day I was in the refurbished Old Crown on Ivegate and looking at the City team huddled together celebrating at Bolton Wanderers ground in 1985, I was also looking at the framed photos of Bobby in his Aston Villa kit. Looking at the photos I got to thinking of the similarities between Bobby and Andy Cook. Physique, heading ability and both had a good shot on them.
If Andy Cook keeps up his scoring ratio over the season so far he will come close to Bronco Layne's record for sure, especially if he has 3 play-off games to play in. One thing I am sure of is that now Andy Cook has come to terms with how important his weight and general fitness is he is going to be in demand when his contract runs out.

 

Football was a simpler game in the days of Bronco Layne - 11 v 11, all sides lining up in 2-3-5 formations, with wingers who could cross the ball.
What was more remarkable about Layne's goals tally was that none were penalties, Stan Harland took those.
Thanks for memories, happy days.

 

The fact Cook has got so many goals with the dire quality of supply is quite frankly amazing. We should be securing him for next season regardless of which league we are in.

 

Before anyone laughs how many goals has Cookie scored with Costello at the side of him?
Imho he’s taken an awful lot of weight off Cook, especially away from VP.

Interesting to know?

 

I don’t honestly think he will Dave, I hope I’m wrong. I was 7/8 at the time and being honest I can’t remember all that much , although I had been attending for three seasons at least.

One thing I do recall is how much “less technical” it was in those days and todays footballers are athletes in comparison!

Remember a lot of players smoked in those days, even drinking pre match at our famous local pub.

In comparison Cookie has worked wonders, as the ability’s and fitness of opposing players is far and away better in todays modern game.

It’s a different , excuse the pun, ballgame if we were honest and just put the rose tinted specs back in their case for a while?

Both great achievements for sure but in totally different eras.

Good debate though.

 

I was lucky enough to see McCole, Stokes and Layne in action for City. But for the betting scandal, Layne would have played for England and is the finest Centre Forward I ever saw in a City shirt. Bronco had everything. I remember his debut against Hull City, when he turned and hit the ball from 35 yards that nearly snapped the crossbar. We knew we had signed something special that day and he never let us down from thereon in. Cook has been a revelation this season, but doesn't compare with the aforementioned trio, who all left City and performed well at a higher level. Sadly McCole's drinking issue curtailed his career after he left Leeds United

 

1961-62 was my first season at Valley Parade as an 8 year old, so I do remember Bronco, & in particular how heart-broken I was when he left for Sheffield Wednesday. Apparently, still with us at 83 years of age.

 

I bumped into Mel Sterland in Spain in October last year and he said Bronco was still very much around and had last seen him a couple of months earlier.

 

I am not writing Costelloe off yet, but he really does need to improve his finishing, he should have taken at least one of the chances on Saturday, i am not sure he would have started many if Derbyshire had stayed fit.

 

100% Andy.

 

You are bang right, and MH would agree. I thought what he said about Costelloe's performance was spot on. First half he was a bit "loose" with his ball hold up but improved 2nd half. Filippe Morais has remarked that his movement off the ball is very good, which has probably created more space for Andy Cook. I just feel that he could have done with one of his attempts on goal going in on Saturday for his personal confidence.

 

I agree about Matty Derbyshire.

 

100% This

 

Interesting point. Just by being there and making intelligent runs he gives defenders someone else to think about. Even if they know he can't hit a barn door they still have to cover his runs.

 

That shot of Layne's is my main memory of him. My reaction was Wow - why have Swindon let us have him. He was clearly too good for Div3/4 football and was as you said likely to play for England. Talent wasted. Cooks scoring this season has been special and given the tactics and fitness of todays team I think even getting near to Laynes record is outstanding. However as to who was a better player, even Cooks most ardent supporters would not describe him as a Premiership quality player