For those interested.
Stephen Cooke (born February 15, 1982 in Walsall, England) is a professional footballer, currently playing for Southern League Premier Division side Halesowen Town, where he plays as a midfielder. He is currently on trial at Walsall FC. [No mention of Hampton as yet!!]
Playing career
Aston Villa
Cooke was born in Walsall and began his career as a trainee with local team Aston Villa, turning professional in July 2000. He made his first team debut on August 2, 2000, coming on as a second-half substitute for Julian Joachim in Villa's 2-1 defeat at home to Celta Vigo in the UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-final second-leg.
He moved to Bournemouth on loan in March 2002, making his football league debut in Bournemouth's 5-1 win at home to Northampton Town on March 9, 2002. He returned to Villa before the end of the season.
On January 1, 2003 he finally made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa, coming as a late substitute for Ulises De la Cruz in Villa's 2-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers. He made two further appearances that season for Aston Villa, as a late substitute for Dion Dublin in the 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United in March and as a second-half substitute for Stefan Moore in the 3-1 defeat away to Leeds United on the final day of the season.
He rejoined Bournemouth again on loan in January 2004 and signed on loan for Wycombe Wanderers in December of the same year. Cooke's Aston Villa career came to an end when he was released at the end of the 2004/05 season.
AFC Bournemouth
In July 2005 Cooke re-signed for Bournemouth, this time on a permanent basis.
Torquay United
On January 16, 2007, he joined Torquay United on loan until the end of the season. Cooke made the good start to his Torquay United career scoring on his debut, but the club lost 5-2 away to Notts County on January 19, 2007. He returned to Bournemouth and was released at the end of the season.
Halesowen Town
On August 3, 2007, Halesowen Town confirmed that Cooke had joined the club along with two other former league players, in the shape of Terry Fleming and Duane Darby.
