Andy Cook (footballer, born 1990)

Carlisle United

Born in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, Cook started his career with the Carlisle United youth system where he was awarded a scholarship and signed a full-time professional contract, scoring 22 goals in his first season at Brunton Park, and 37 goals in his second season for the club's youth and second-string during the 2008–09 season.

Having signed pro terms Cook was loaned out to Conference North side Workington on an initial one-month loan, but remained there for the rest of the campaign where Cook netted five times including a brace in the 1–3 away victory against King's Lynn in the 15 games he played, Cook also rejoined Workington the following season on a one-month loan, but he failed to score in the six games he played and was unable to play in the FA Cup. Carlisle manager Greg Abbott was criticised from some fans that he has been over-reliant on loanees that season at the expense of giving home-grown youngsters like Cook a chance after allowing striker Andy Cook to leave Carlisle United.

2009–10

In October 2009 he joined Conference National side Barrow on an initial one-month loan. He made a scoring debut for the Bluebirds when he netted in the 2–0 win over Ebbsfleet United on 17 October 2009. He scored another goal on 7 November 2009 in the 2–1 first-round FA Cup victory over Eastleigh. He made 3 appearances during his initial loan spell, scoring twice, Cook returned for a second spell almost immediately but broke his foot against AFC Wimbledon, resulting in him taking no more part in the season, he headed back to Carlisle United to recover.

2010–11

He returned to Barrow at the start of the 2010–11 season on one-month loan before making a permanent move in January 2010 signing a two-and-a-half-year deal on a free transfer. Cook was used mainly as a substitute for the majority of the season, picking up two yellow cards, the first in the 2–0 away defeat at Hayes & Yeading, and his second in the 2–1 victory against Kidderminster. Cook scored just one goal all season, an equaliser from just outside the box in the 3–2 defeat against Crawley Town.

2011–12

Cook made his first appearance of the 2011–12 season after coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute for midfielder Robin Hulbert in a 1–1 draw against Tamworth. Two more games followed before he scored his first three goals and also his first hat-trick in the 4–0 win against the previously unbeaten Fleetwood Town. After receiving a red card in a 1–0 win against Lincoln, Cook returned for the bluebirds after serving a three match suspension and scored his second hat-trick in the 3–1 home win against Hayes & Yeading United on 15 October 2011. On 22 October 2011 Cook scored with a close range header in the 3–1 home win against Kidderminster, he also received his first yellow card of the season after 75 minutes. It was 5 games later that Cook scored what ended up the winning goal at home against Alfreton, a six-yard strike for a 1–0 victory. He followed up five days later in the 1–1 stalemate against Ebbsfleet, collecting the ball from a goal-kick by Shaun Pearson for his ninth goal of the season.

The following calendar year after receiving his 2nd yellow card for a foul on Danny O'Donnell in a 3–2 defeat at Stockport, the following week on 7 January Cook scored a brace in the 3–0 home thrashing of Darlington, scoring the 2nd goal on 32 minutes from a left wing cross which he headed in, he scored his 2nd goal to make it 3–0 on 63 minutes scoring from close range on the bottom right corner. Two more goals were to follow on 21 January 2012 in the 2–3 win at Tamworth, he scored the equaliser on 78 minutes with a left footed strike from the left of the box after the home defence had failed to deal with the danger effectively, Cook then scored the winning goal on 83 minutes, battling his way through the Lambs back four and managed to get a final touch on the ball to see it bounce into the net from a few yards out. On 18 February 2012 Cook scored another 2 goals in the 3–0 victory against Kettering he scored the 2nd goal on 77 minutes, picking up a loose ball and exploiting the space left at the back by a Poppies side over-committed on attack, he then put his team 3–0 up on 83 minutes nodding home after a well weighted cross from substitute Paul Rutherford. On 25 February 2012 after receiving his 3rd yellow card of the season, he scored the equalising goal on 64 minutes in the 1–1 draw against Forest Green Rovers, soaring to meet Paul Smith's whipped cross and placing his header perfectly in the corner of Russell's net. On 24 March 2012 in the 0–4 loss against Braintree he picked up his 4th yellow card for a foul on Adam Bailey-Dennis. On 7 April Cook in the 2–0 away defeat at Gateshead he received a yellow card on 14 minutes for diving, then on 49 minutes he was booked for dissent and thus red carded and missing the next 2 matches.

On 28 April 2012, Cook scored his final goal for Barrow in the 3–1 victory against Newport on 7 minutes as they failed to clear a Jack Mackreth cross and Cook smashed home from 8 yards finishing the 2011–12 season with 17 goals in 39 appearances making him the club's top scorer.

Grimsby Town

Cook signed a two-year contract with the option of a further year with Conference National side Grimsby Town on 6 June 2012, having agreed a compensation deal with Barrow for an undisclosed fee. Cook played 120 minutes at Wembley in the FA Trophy final against Wrexham; he scored to put The Mariners ahead before eventually falling short in a penalty shootout. Cook finished the season with 16 goals in all competitions.

On 9 May 2014 Cook was released by The Mariners, both his seasons with the club ended in Play-off semi-final defeats.

Return to Barrow

On 30 June 2014 Cook returned to former club Barrow, penning a two-year deal.

International career

On 4 June 2013 Cook made his debut for the England C team in a 6–1 win away at Bermuda.

Career statistics

Honours

Grimsby Town