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Joe Cooke

Discussion in 'City Talk' started by Ulysses S Grant, Sep 26, 2022.

  1. Ulysses S Grant

    Ulysses S Grant
    P.L. 23/24 2nd Place P.L.24/25 Entrant

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    We all know racism still sadly exists in football, but I've just read an astonishing quote from today's T&A (back pages of the past) from 1976 that shows how we have progressed.

    It's in relation to my favourite ever City player Joe Cooke, and transfer rumours saying that after scoring 21 goals in 41 games in the 75/76 season, big clubs wouldn't sign him because of his colour, and goes on to say that "if you threw a bucket of whitewash over him" clubs would be queueing up to sign him.

    Despite having grown up in the 70's and witnessing the NF marches, and the ANL responses (i recall an NF march going up Lumb Lane after a match around that time) I'm absolutely gobsmacked by that quote. Thank god things have at least moved on a bit from that.
     
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    #1 Ulysses S Grant, Sep 26, 2022
    XCIV_Bantam, 1975citygent, Morley Bantam and 3 others like this.
  2. donhutchinsaffro

    donhutchinsaffro
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    Mate some player he was.
     
    #2 donhutchinsaffro, Sep 26, 2022
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  3. SelbyFan

    SelbyFan Impact Sub

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    I played against Joe Cooke, probably in around 1970.

    When he hit a ball it stayed hit.

    I was a goalkeeper and caught the ball square against my chest.

    It fealt as though it had gone straight through me.

    I also went on quite a few anti NF marches in the early 70's.
     
    #3 SelbyFan, Sep 26, 2022
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  4. Stafford Bantam

    Stafford Bantam
    Staff Member Moderator P.L. 20/21 Top 30 Supporter

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    I remember a match at Crewe (1970s), City were attacking the Gresty Road end, where the City fans were (a shale covered bank at the time). City won a free kick, somewhere near the halfway line and Joe took up position near the edge of the penalty area.

    Before the free kick could be taken two Crewe defenders moved in on Joe (one from the left, one from the right) and sandwiched him. Joe turned to one of the defenders, gave him a Glasgow kiss and trotted off the pitch without waiting for the referee to send him off.
     
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    #4 Stafford Bantam, Sep 26, 2022
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  5. Ulysses S Grant

    Ulysses S Grant
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    Tell me about it. Whoever came after, whoever comes in the future, Big Joe will always be my number one City player of all time. Centre forward turned damn good centre half. He should have played a lot higher than he did. Absolutely loved the bones of him as a kid.
     
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    #5 Ulysses S Grant, Sep 26, 2022
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  6. Kevin1954

    Kevin1954
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    I was there 76. . Started on the old infirmary on Lumb Lane, and ended up a right scrum all the way to the Belle Vue. After that the NF were hardly ever seen in Bradford again before disbanding. It was a Sat but no match?
    https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/tahistory/10375211.a-day-of-marching-and-mayhem/
     
    #6 Kevin1954, Sep 26, 2022
  7. borderlescott

    borderlescott Squad Player

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    Was there ever any racism towards him from City fans (or to Ces) back then, or was abuse directed towards away players only?

    It really isn’t that long ago that this took place ago is it - shocking (but still before my time).
     
    #7 borderlescott, Sep 26, 2022
  8. Solentbantam

    Solentbantam Impact Sub

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    I’m slightly too young to have ever seen him play but I’ve never heard anyone ever say a bad word about him. Met him a few years ago and he was a real gent too.
     
    #8 Solentbantam, Sep 27, 2022
  9. bantam65

    bantam65
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    Is he still alive?
    Might be one for those podcast chaps to consider interviewing if he is. Bet he's got a tale or two to tell.
     
    #9 bantam65, Sep 27, 2022
  10. Ulysses S Grant

    Ulysses S Grant
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    I think so. Probably retired now, but used to run a Gym
     
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    #10 Ulysses S Grant, Sep 27, 2022
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  11. Ulysses S Grant

    Ulysses S Grant
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    Bear in mind I was only 12 in 1976, and I've drunk Tetleys (& Taylors) dry a few times over since, so my memory is hazy, but I definitely remember a march up Lumb Lane at the same time we were crossing to Green Lane to where the car was parked after a match. Might have been an ANL march though, but still had a bit of fisticuffs going on around it.
     
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    #11 Ulysses S Grant, Sep 27, 2022
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  12. Kevin1954

    Kevin1954
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    The one in the attachment was pretty lary for the NF. They didn’t come back in a hurry.
     
    #12 Kevin1954, Sep 27, 2022
  13. SelbyFan

    SelbyFan Impact Sub

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    I remember coming out of the Washington pub (near The Harp of Erin) and getting "involved" in an anti-NF march.

    Only as a political opponent you understand.

    At one time I got chased by a huge police horse (complete with our friendly local bobby aboard).

    I actually hurdled a car to get away from it.
     
    #13 SelbyFan, Sep 27, 2022
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  14. Ulysses S Grant

    Ulysses S Grant
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    Duncan McKenzie, eat your heart out.
     
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    #14 Ulysses S Grant, Sep 27, 2022
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  15. Ulysses S Grant

    Ulysses S Grant
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    The Washington was a good pub back in the day
     
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    #15 Ulysses S Grant, Sep 27, 2022
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  16. Bronco

    Bronco
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    Have a listen to this Ces tells it as it is.
     
    #16 Bronco, Sep 27, 2022
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  17. Zonnebloem

    Zonnebloem Fringe Player

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    Old song:

    "Teeth of white,
    Skin of black,
    Joseph Cook will break your back,
    Na na na nah
    na na nah
    na nah",

    All in support of our CF/CB. I'm sure he played both.
     
    #17 Zonnebloem, Sep 27, 2022
  18. knaresborough bantam

    knaresborough bantam
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    Was at St Blaise school with Joe but not seen him to speak to since he left for Peterborough
    His wife of the time worked at Empire stores at same time as my mother
    Three of us from that school played for the school team & Bradford boy's Only Joe went on to a professional club as I remember but that was back in 1967 if my memory serves me right
     
    #18 knaresborough bantam, Sep 27, 2022
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