A controversial figure and an enigmatic player - moments of brilliance and long spells of quiet. I suspect he'll continue to divide opinion among Rovers fans long after he is gone. I like his style of play, so tend to a more favourable view of him.
When he signed Rovers were on a 6 game losing streak (the last against Salford), but it felt that his arrival lifted the club and 2 wins in the next 3 were enormously important in the fight against relegation. He then wasn't involved in another win for 7 rounds - until the crucial Salford game, where he scored his first Rovers try. His virtuoso display in the 42-6 derby and the drop goal that won the final game of the season made it feel that his signing was going to be truly momentous.
Then he started 2008 banned, had to adapt to a new half-back partner midway through the year and ended it out of favour after infamously being 'unfit for selection'. IMO in 2009 he repaired some of the damage and he continues to show flashes of genius - especially in derbies. But with the club's horizons broadening and given his big wage it is natural that others options be looked at, long-term. OTOH If he wants to stay, keeps his nose clean and accepts a more realistic wage, I'd consider keeping him on beyond 2010 - he's still only 29 iirc and there aren't too many better non-quota stand-offs that are likely to be available out there.
east hull FC fan wrote:When he looks back on his career in 10 years time he will realize that the grass isn't greener on the other side.
But he got more money and left a team that had peaked and then entered a pretty awful trough, for one that has been on the up.
east hull FC fan wrote:He could of been a legend at Hull but was blinded by your chairmans clear goal of just getting one over on FC.
He added much needed quality to a hard-working but limited squad in a battle for survival that was absolutely crucial to the club's long-term ambitions. The Rovers-Hull element added a bit of spice (and made us feel less guilty
), but I'm pretty certain we'd have signed him under the same circumstances if he'd been at another club at the time.
east hull FC fan wrote:Yes he was a massive loss for us, but it wasn't "instrumental" in us taking as many backward steps as we have, that has been down to poor recruitment and retention by P. Sharpe. We have now adressed this and will get back on the wagon I'm sure, as for Cooke? Well, maybe rovers should see what he gave up in switching teams and show some loyalty towards him.
What he gave up was, by your own admission, playing for a team that was recruiting poorly and took many backward steps - for less money. Rovers will honour his contract (unless he takes the opportunity reported in the HDM to secure a longer-term deal elsewhere) and look after the interests of HKR.