Cooke Hits Out!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 29/04/2003

TERRY Cooke has finally spoken out about the treatment he received at Grimsby Town and says he believes he will be on the way out this summer as it seems unlikely he will be offered a new deal.

In the Grimsby Telegraph today Cooke spoke out and said his confidence has been crushed by his lack of match action.

"It's been a very frustrating season for me. I've been working hard and in training and keeping my head down and my mouth shut. But nobody's offered me anything and at this stage it looks like I'll be a free agent in the summer."

"I think I can hold my head up. I've been a model pro, coming in, working hard and getting on with it. I just want to get another club this summer and start again."

"John Oster came in for a bit but, when he went, I thought I had a couple of good games. Then John came back for another month and I was frozen out. When he went back to Sunderland on deadline day I thought I'd get another run. But another couple of lads came in on loan and I've just been frozen out completely."

"I don't think I've been played to my strengths this season or used to the best of my ability. I haven't played brilliant week-in, week-out but I've never had a massive stinker. When I've had a run of games I think I've done well. Then, all of a sudden, I get the chop again for no reason."

"It does knock your confidence and you wonder what you've done wrong. Nobody has said anything to me."

"I was surprised when the team was announced on Saturday. But I was glad to start because I haven't done for about 14 or 15 games. I wanted to prove a point but we couldn't get hold of the ball in the first half."

On the game against Brighton on Sunday next he said; "It's an important game for us and we don't want to finish the season on a losing streak. We want to send the fans home happy and give them something to cheer about for next season. We're not bothered who gets relegated with us and we just want to make sure we win the game for the fans."

"The fans have taken to me. There has been a lot of expectation on my shoulders when I've been coming on - I don't know what they've been expecting me to do! But it's nice to be appreciated and it's a shame that they haven't seen more of me in a Grimsby Town shirt." END

Billo says: Terry Cooke is not the only one wondering why he has not been played more often. His statement puts paid to the silly rumours that have been circulating recently.

It is a pity that Paul Groves has not been more forthcoming on the matter and at least telling Cooke himself but maybe that's the Groves style.

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