Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Wed Jun 03, 2015 8:10 pm  

I am not amused.
Of couse he has to make a living with a family to support and yes he WAS class, but the Dons needed him on the park in their darkest hour and he let us down claiming he could no longer do it justice and had retired.
When what he meant was he couldn't be arsed when there was a pie to munch or a pint to down.
Well unless he puts that pint pot down he will be no good to Fev either.
Anyway he gave us some good times and thanks for that.

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:52 pm  

Wont be making fev debut or unavailable till after donny game on 19th June by all accounts

Partly due to lack of fitness, but in my opinion partly to respect Donny - after all you probably saved his life as well as his career

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:51 am  

Does Cooke has any income coming in now he has left Donny?

If not you can't blame him for starting to play again to get paid, I'm sure all on here would do the same.

Re: Gary Thornton appointed head coach : Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:55 am  

Chewspaker wrote:

The signing of Paul should go down as one of the clubs greatest achievements ,
without him I doubt we would have had the glory of finishing as Champions and finishing in the upper echelons of the division the following season.
Paul guided us around the pitch showing his class, making us look a side worthy of finishing in the top four , and we should offer our gratitude for that.
I think as a coach he tried to stay loyal to the current squad ,when clearly some of them couldn't cut the mustard at this level, add to that the signing of too many young inexperienced players and the lesser quality of
players from Hull and that is why we are in our current predicament.
I see no point pulling the guy down because he has ( if confirmed) decided to reignite his playing career. He has a family to support and showed a lot of class with his comments when The Dons dispensed with his services.
I for one would like to say thanks for the good times Paul and good luck to you. COYD

Totally agree. If PC hadn't have come to the Dons we would not have achieved what we did. Heard on grape he is playing the season out with view to assistant coach next year, who could blame him. Fev have vision and will spend to achieve it. For all players and coaching staff it's a business....just like anybody else who changes jobs to suit their life/ lifestyle.
Thanks Paul, some memorable moments that will remain for a long time.

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:41 am  

I think what sticks in the craw for most Don's fans me included is that he retired and stated he would only play if we were desperate (which we were for half backs and have been most of the season) but still wouldn't get his boots on...yet now at the wave of a Featherstone cheque book he has....I have no issues with earning a living from the sport he clearly loves its the whole Not playing oh now I'm playing again routine.

I believe Cooke is also still "Skills and Backs Coach" for Doncaster Knights.

Apparently he turned down a playing contract at Batley to due to not wanting to come out of retirement.

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone Rovers : Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:42 am  

Another Penalty wrote: Cooke signs for Fev as a player........ Cant believe it, and he couldnt put a shirt on for us when our team was under pressure this season. http://www.featherstonerovers.net/article.php?id=13678 It stinks, that's put a right downer on my holiday wish I'd not looked to see what's going on. Coaching appointment doesn't make feel much better either!

Another Penalty wrote: Cooke signs for Fev as a player........ Cant believe it, and he couldnt put a shirt on for us when our team was under pressure this season. http://www.featherstonerovers.net/article.php?id=13678 It stinks, that's put a right downer on my holiday wish I'd not looked to see what's going on. Coaching appointment doesn't make feel much better either!

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:47 am  

Hope new coach does well but not my choice but we will have to see.

[Wanderer]

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Sat Jun 06, 2015 10:26 am  

I agree totally with those who have stated that we wouldn't have achieved what we have without him. In that respect I am grateful.

However, I also concur that announcing retirement from playing due to the body not being able to take it anymore and adding he would only turn out if we were desperate (we've rarely had two half backs available, is that not desperate enough), to then turn round and sign a playing contract with a local rival the day after we announce a new coach ... come on, something stinks. That had to have been in the pipeline whilst we were playing without half backs and a coach! (or even before?)

Some similarities have been mentioned with the Hull / Hull KR saga, it does make you think.

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Sat Jun 06, 2015 12:02 pm  

Was Paul Cooke on a contract with the Dons & if so did the club pay PC for the remainder of the time the contract had to run from when they dismissed him as coach of the club?

[Wanderer]

Re: Cooke signs for Featherstone : Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:45 pm  

GeoffRoebuck wrote:

Was Paul Cooke on a contract with the Dons & if so did the club pay PC for the remainder of the time the contract had to run from when they dismissed him as coach of the club?

I certainly can't comment on Paul's contract with the Club (I can't believe he didn't have one) but what I will say is the decision has been portrayed as 'mutual' rather than a dismissal.