Born in Hammersmith in August 1982, Lee Cookâs life has always been entangled with Queens Park Rangers football club. When he was cheering on his heroes as a schoolboy from the terraces at Loftus Road he could never have imagined that he would sign for his beloved Q.P.R. three times during his career. Regardless of whoever Cook was playing for, his heart was always with Q.P.R. In December 2002 Ian Hollowayâs Q.P.R. were in dire straits. Even though the club had emerged from administration it was still ravaged by its effects and was saddled with a prohibitive loan which constantly threatened to drag them back into financial meltdown. On the field the situation was equally dismal. The team, floundering in the third tier of the English league, had gone 11 matches without a win and was reeling from the humiliation of being knocked out of the F.A. Cup by part timers Vauxhall Motors. Holloway desperately needed to kick start their season, he found the catalyst he required in Lee Cook. Originally signed from Watford on a one month loan deal, Cook made an instant impact. In his first appearance, a home match against local rivals Brentford, Cook scampered down the left wing and delivered a pin point accurate cross for Marc Bircham to head the ball into the net. Brentford fought back for a deserved draw, but Rangers not only looked a more balanced team, but, at last, had a potent attacking threat. Holloway was able to persuade Watford to extend the loan deal to three months enabling Cook to play in 13 matches. With Cook constantly shredding opposition defences Rangers won 8, drew 2 and lost only 3 of these matches. Cookâs scintillating performances, combined with the fact that he was known to be a Q.P.R. supporter, made him an instant favourite with the Rangerâs faithful. Unfortunately Watford were unwilling to extend the loan deal any further and so Cook reluctantly left Loftus Road, but he had instrumental in generating sufficient momentum to enable Rangers to achieve a playoff position at the end of the season. Cook was at the Millennium Stadium for the playoff final, not as a player, not as a guest of the board, but in the stands as a supporter. He had more reason than most to feel the agony of defeat when Cardiff score their late winner, without his three month spell in W12 Rangers would not have been close to a playoff spot. While Q.P.R. were successfully winning promotion the following season, Cook was in and out of the Watford team. He steadfastly refused to sign a lucrative new contract for him to stay at Vicarage Road and instead followed his heart back to Loftus Road for the start of the 2004/05 season. Over the next few season Cook developed into one of the best players in the Championship, adding consistency to his undoubted skill, and was instrumental in helping Q.P.R. avoid relegation back to League One. He was regularly destroying right backs and the accuracy of his crossing was outstanding. While Cook didnât weigh in with many goals himself, he provided a regular stream of opportunities for the clubâs strikers; he always featured at the top of the assists tables. His outstanding performances started to attract attention from Premier League clubs. With Rangersâ still in a desperate financial situation, it was only a matter of time before they were forced to accept a bid for him. Having already rejected a previous offer from Fulham, Q.P.R. had little alternative than to accept an improved offer of £2.5 million in July 2007. Cook knew that, for the sake of his beloved Rangers, he had to leave and in a remarkable gesture he negotiated for his 10% signing on fee to be paid to Q.P.R. in addition to his transfer fee. In todayâs world of greedy, self obsessed footballers, Cook proved himself to be the complete antithesis to them. Cook has described himself as being lucky enough to have been able to make the gesture and was more concerned that Q.P.R.âs supporters wouldnât forgive him for moving on. He had no need to worry and he left to ply his trade in the Premier League with everyoneâs best wishes and gratitude. Ironically the ultimate tragedy in Lee Cookâs injury plagued career happened in a pre-season friendly for Fulham against Q.P.R. He was substituted at half time with a knee injury which resulted in him never playing a first team match for the Cottagers. To compound the situation, within a couple of months, Q.P.R. were taken over by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone removing all of their immediate money concerns. The following summer many Rangersâ supporters got their wish and Cook returned for his third spell at Q.P.R., initially on loan to enable him to prove his fitness. Having been given a heroâs welcome home on his third Loftus Road debut, miraculously Cook had a virtually full season, with his signing made permanent in January 2009. His skill and deep rooted desire to play well for Q.P.R. hadnât left him as again he was a potent attacking threat. Just when he seemed to be returning to his peak his knee flared up again depriving him of half of the following season and he has never fully recovered from this. A number of comeback attempts floundered and Neil Warnock had pushed Q.P.R. up a couple of levels. Reluctantly Cook had to accept that he would not play football for Q.P.R. again. Loan spells at Leyton Orient and Charlton followed as Cook looked for first team football. Todayâs announcement that he was not going to be offered a new contract was as inevitable as it was sad. The tricky left winger may not have been one of the most remarkable footballers of his generation, but he is one of the most remarkable men to play football. Cook will be seen at Loftus Road again, maybe not as a player and I donât know if he has any aspirations to be a coach, but he will definitely be back as a supporter. Not only did he fulfil his boyhood dream to play for Q.P.R. but can justifiably claim to have help his club to survive. Thank you Lee.
Thank you Roller, Lee certainly has a special place in our history. In the absence of a testimonial, the least we could do is give him his £250k back. With interest.
Excellent piece Rollercoaster. Glad someone pointed out Lee's fantastic generosity at that time which helped save us.
Thank you very much Roller for putting together this tribute to a true Rangers hero, great work and a marvelous piece. Lee Cook definitely one of my favourites during my time supporting the R's. Good luck and hopefully you'll get one great last chapter to your playing career Lee.
Fantastic writing, Roller. And what a man he is - as I was reading, I thought about the contrast between Cook and another player who arrived around the same time - and one I've had a kick around or two with - Rowan Vine. Such a contrast.
Someone should send it to Fernandes to forward to the man himself. Will always be a legend at the club. P.S As will Danny ****tu!
top work roller! lee cook did what every fan wants to do. play for the club he supports. he is indeed one of us. you can be sure he'll be sitting in the stands when he stops playing.
i was lucky enough to see one of his last goals for us against derby. Great goal. Sadly football can be unbelieveable crawl.
Cook bircham gallen ****tu ainsworth rowlands furlong Legends of the bad times Why don't we have more testimonials these days? Cookie of all the players deserves obe
Cook will always be remembered as a true R, his selflessness in our times of trouble are the measure of the man...
Give the man a testimonial in lieu of his generosity to the club. Loved the time we had Ainsworth on the right and Cook on the left. Great piece Roller.
Yep. Top man cookie and Roller, superb. He's far from old is cookie, hope he has some more good times wherever he ends up. Those dark days were pretty special in an odd way. Good luck Lee.
