It is with considerable sadness that we have to announce the passing earlier today of Mike Cooke. Mike was a long-time member, Vice-President and former President of Shelford Rugby Club. Friday's 'Weekend Preview' will include some memories of Mike's life and the immense contribution he has made to Shelford Rugby Club over the years.

Mike Cooke, known by most as Cookie, was one of Shelford Rugby Club’s great characters and made a huge contribution to life at the Club, both on and off the pitch. Cookie played for the Club for a number of years and was known as a tough character who players would rather have in their team than playing for the opposition. He was always kind to referees, to whom he was a constant source of sound advice and encouragement during games.

Mike Mills, who has known Cookie for 60 years, recalled playing with him for the 4th XV in a heated game when Cookie was warned by the referee ‘for the intent in his eyes’. Tony Roberts, current Club Chairman, remembers making his debut for Shelford in the 1970s shortly after moving from Cambridge. With no Shelford socks available, Tony made the mistake of wearing his Cambridge socks. During the game Tony found himself at the bottom of a ruck when someone stamped on his legs. Tony looked up to find that the culprit was Cookie. When asked why he had done it, Cookie replied that it was Tony’s fault for wearing Cambridge socks. Shelford weren’t even playing Cambridge.

Noel Woodgate recalls touring Heidelberg with Cookie in 1975. Three of the tour party were helping the local constabulary with their enquiries and Cookie was on the coach giving the rest of the tour party a dressing down about tour behaviour … they had
allowed their colleagues to be captured. All would then have been OK if, when Cookie had finished his rant, another player hadn’t climbed onto the bus smiling. Noel can’t recall what annoyed Cookie most, the player’s lateness or the bike he was riding. On the same tour Cookie was woken by noise in the hotel in the middle of the night. He jumped out of bed and went in the direction of the noise shouting ‘you lot can get to bed’. On finding the source of the noise he was greeted by a Dutch football team.

When his playing days were over Cookie continued his involvement in the Club, first as President and then as very active Vice-President. He was also a vociferous supporter who attended most games at the Davey Field and often followed the Peacocks
when they were away from home. Even when seated in the stand, referees have continued to be blessed with Cookies advice but they will now find it a little quieter.

Bob Barnes remembers Cookie as ‘an extremely friendly, generous and lively companion’ and it is the word ‘generous’ that has been repeated most often by those remembering Cookie over the last few of days. He was a real Club man who helped to make Shelford the Club so many of us enjoy today. He will be greatly missed.

There will be a minute’s silence before Saturday’s 1st XV game against Westcombe Park. It would be great to have a huge turnout to remember Cookie and all he has done for the Club over the years. Cookies funeral will be at 1.30 on Friday 17th March at the Cambridge Crematorium. All are welcome.

The thoughts of the whole Club are with Cookie’s family at this difficult time.