Latest news with #Cooke
The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Cooke on St Mirren memories, Urminsky carschool & Heaton
When Cody Cooke arrived in Paisley, it was the beginning of a new, albeit short-lived, era for the club. A return to the Scottish Premiership had been earned under the guidance of Jack Ross before he departed for Sunderland. Alan Stubbs rolled into town, greeted with cautious optimism, but was then quickly dismissed after just four league matches. He hasn't had a role in the dugout since. Despite the revolving door at the manager's office, with Oran Kearney recruited, having previously narrowly missed out on the post, and then being replaced by Jim Goodwin the following summer, and an injury-plagued time at St Mirren, Cooke still holds fond memories of his time in Scotland. "My overriding feeling towards it is joy and happiness, and ultimately I love my time up there," said the striker, now at Torquay. "Considering I didn't play loads and loads of games, the appreciation I got back from the fans was unbelievable. "I was in and out with injuries and changing managers. I suppose my only regret a little bit is I just wish I could have played a few more games and to show a bit more what I could have done. "I think the fans appreciated I wasn't one to just cause upheaval and leave. I wanted to see out my contract and genuinely thought I could be an asset to the club." Cooke played the entirety of the two-legged Scottish Premiership play-off final against Dundee United, with St Mirren retaining their top-flight status after a penalty shoot-out. He also bagged his first professional hat-trick in a memorable win against Dundee at Dens Park. The Torquay top goalscorer - with 19 league goals last term - had the opportunity to stay in Scotland beyond the summer of 2020 but opted against Premiership and Championship interest to return to England. "It was a weird time with Covid around," he said. "It might have ended up differently even at St Mirren. I think at the time, there were constraints on budget, and there were short-term deals everywhere. "It was a bit of both in terms of nothing sort of concrete, but I had interest from both the Premiership and Championship, and it was just a case of what do I want to do. "At that point, I just wanted the security of knowing where I was going to be for the next couple of years. I didn't really want to have six months somewhere and then maybe it not work out." Cooke played just 27 matches in his two years at the SMiSA Stadium but received far greater recognition for his efforts than some of those who arrived at the club in a similar time frame. Stubbs has become a villain to St Mirren supporters for his three-month reign. Cooke was one of his signings, having impressed the manager at the V9 Academy alongside fellow summer signing Josh Heaton, who left the club under a cloud after being signed for a fee in the region of £75,000. "I met Josh through the V9 and we actually moved into a flat together in Glasgow," revealed Cooke. "At the time, he would have been maybe four or five years younger than me. "He was just sort of happy-go-lucky guy. For whatever reason, it just didn't work out. "In was the opposite in the sense that I was desperate to stay and make it worth my while, whereas Josh had a lot more interest in the summer and a lot of clubs were interested, and he was maybe upset that he chose St Mirren and it maybe didn't work out. "He was just fort of looking to leave. I'm sure he had a long-term deal. It just never worked out and he was happy to leave. "I think he ended up moving to Australia. I don't think he actually went on to play, which is a shame because ability and attributes, he genuinely had everything for a centre-half but it's not just what the body tells you, but everything between the ears as well. "It just didn't work out." Read more: Just one player remains at St Mirren from Cooke's time at the club: Peter Urminsky. The goalkeeper has had limited opportunities in his time in Paisley but appears primed for a role in the first-team with St Mirren currently without a No1 goalkeeper after Zach Hemming's loan concluded. Stephen Robinson tipped Urminsky for big things in the future, and Cooke is hopeful to see the Slovak stopper given a chance after carschooling with him years ago. "It looks like it might be a chance. He's probably grown into his body a bit more in terms of character, I imagine, now, because he was really shy and young when he first joined. "And actually, his agent had sorted him out accommodation somewhere near Hamilton, where we were staying, because I used to drive him in with Gary MacKenzie. And so, Pete didn't have a car or anything. So we used to pick him up and take him into training. And he used to just fold into the back of the car because you know how big he is. "He was quiet, to be honest, he didn't really say a lot, but he kept himself to himself and trained really well. "I think the club were always happy to keep him around because he was someone that they could see potential in, but also a really good trainer and good around the place. And it does go a long way, that. "Hopefully, he gets his chance now this season; he's obviously been staying around for a reason, and he's been signing new contracts for a reason. So, they're not just happy for him to be around. I imagine they want him to play some games. "So, yeah, good luck to him because he's a nice kid, to be fair." What now for Cooke? Well, he's tied down for another season at Torquay, with an option of another, and gunning for promotion to the Vanarama Conference after finishing second in the Vanarama South last season. The qualified PT, and qualified teacher who works as a mortgage advisor alongside playing football, said: "It was a good end to the season. We're back already next week. We can hope for a promotion next year but let's see how it goes. "It's been going well and hopefully it'll be another good year on and off the pitch." AND ANOTHER THING Martin Foyle's exit comes as a huge blow for St Mirren. The recruitment guru has played a significant, if at times unnoticed, role in the club achieving three straight top-six finishes. Stephen Robinson has often remarked on the incredible power of work Foyle contributed to the club and emphasised the point that some signings were only possible through Foyle's network and connections. The narrative around Foyle's departure has been contradictory in some ways, though. "No, not really" Foyle told Carlisle United media when asked about it potentially being a difficult decision to leave St Mirren and Robinson. "There are things going on in the background that people don't see. "My connection with Stephen is absolutely fantastic, he is a top-drawer manager but sometimes you need to move on." Robinson said: "Martin has been an integral part of what we've done over the past three and a half years and he's been an integral part of what I've done as a manager over 10 years now. He's a close friend of mine now and it's a sad loss for the club. "Another opportunity arose that was exciting for him and it's with regret that Martin is leaving. I'd like to put on record my thanks to him for his recruitment and for all he's done at the football club. "The club have appointed John and it's important that we get working together quickly, build a relationship, and I look forward to that." St Mirren have appointed experienced scout John Park to the post of head of recruitment and emerging talent. Park counts Celtic, Rangers and Vancouver Whitecaps in his former clubs. He most recently worked at Blackburn Rovers before leaving by mutual consent. "I'm delighted to be joining St Mirren," said Park. "I'm excited to meet the manager, build a relationship with him and add to the good work that has been done over the past few years. "The club has a clear strategy in terms of its football operations and I believe my experience will help build upon that." AND FINALLY Jayden Richardson checked in at St Mirren, signing a two-year deal from Boreham Wood. The wing-back follows Killian Phillips, Roland Idowu and Richard King in joining the club this summer. Richardson had emerged as the preferred target after Ryan Alebiosu became unrealistic for a permanent deal following significant interest. On paper, it seems a solid addition to the squad with the starting right-wing-back role the plan for Richardson. Callum Penman will be in and around the first-team in the upcoming season as the alternative option, at least for pre-season. Marcus Fraser has been deployed at wing-back but increasingly sparingly under Stephen Robinson with a spot in the back-three a far more comfortable role. It wouldn't be a surprise for Robinson - and new recruitment chief John Park - to be on the lookout for another right-sided option.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Sanders weighs into battleground district with Wisconsin endorsement
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has endorsed Democrat Rebecca Cooke in her attempt for a rematch against Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) in a battleground Wisconsin district. Sanders said in a statement, first reported by NBC News, that he's supporting Cooke to represent Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District because she will 'stand up for working families and take on the greed of powerful special interests.' 'Rebecca is a working-class fighter who developed her populist roots in rural Western Wisconsin,' the senator continued. 'A daughter of farmers, a waitress and a small business owner — she's lived through failed policies from Washington elites and is ready to deliver tangible outcomes that working people will actually feel.' Cooke previously ran for the House seat twice, losing the Democratic nomination in 2022 before winning the primary last year. Democrats eyed Van Orden's seat as a possible pickup opportunity and she lost to him narrowly by less than 3 points. She's now seeking to face him again in what the party hopes will be a stronger year for their prospects in 2026. Sanders said Cooke would be an ally to him in the House to enforce antitrust laws against monopolies, raise the minimum wage and expand Medicare. Cooke said she's 'honored' to receive Sanders's endorsement, calling him a 'champion for the working class.' 'He's spent his career fighting for the same values that drive our campaign here in Wisconsin's Third District: putting people over politics, taking on corporate greed, and building a future that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected,' she said. Cooke faces a couple primary opponents but has notched a wide range of Democratic endorsements from progressives and moderates. That includes support from the Blue Dog PAC, which backs moderate Democrats, and EMILYs List.
NBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Bernie Sanders dives into a key House battleground Trump carried in 2024 with a new endorsement
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Thursday announced his endorsement of Democrat Rebecca Cooke for Congress in Wisconsin's 3rd District — making a foray into one of a handful of districts that could decide the next House majority, which President Donald Trump carried by 7 points less than a year ago. 'Rebecca is a working class fighter who developed her populist roots in rural Western Wisconsin. A daughter of farmers, a waitress and a small business owner — she's lived through failed policies from Washington elites and is ready to deliver tangible outcomes that working people will actually feel,' Sanders said in a statement shared first with NBC News. Sanders' endorsement brings renewed national attention to a race that Cooke lost by less than 3 percentage points last year as GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden earned a second term. And it also highlights a notable cross-section of support for Cooke — who has also been endorsed by the Blue Dog Democrats' PAC, a longtime supporter of party moderates — as Democrats in Washington and around the country review the party's policy platforms, personalities and coalitions after they suffered defeat to Trump in the 2024 election. Cooke said in an interview that Sanders' endorsement meant a lot to her because 'Bernie really is no bulls---.' 'He's been able to pass legislation in the fray of Washington while remaining really true to his core values that center around the working class, and his voice has never really wavered,' she said. Cooke said she voted for Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary and has valued his authenticity ever since. 'Why wouldn't I seek support from someone like that in an era, kind of, where nothing feels authentic, when Bernie really is?' she added. Last year, Cooke campaigned on a message focused largely on the economy and ran ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in her district. She also ran with the support of the New Democrat Coalition and Blue Dog Democrats, two groups of moderate congressional Democrats who tout their support for bipartisanship and working across the aisle. The Blue Dog PAC endorsed her again this month. Sanders followers and some Blue Dog types have clashed over the years over policy and the direction of the Democratic Party. Cooke acknowledged that 'it could seem surprising, you know, to welcome an endorsement like that from Senator Sanders.' 'But I really think that it's important that we let go of purity tests in politics and that we stay disciplined on creating election wins,' she said, adding that in her campaign she hopes to shed the labels of 'moderate' or 'progressive' and gain support from a broad base of voters. 'I am a Blue Dog and a new Dem, but I'm also very progressive where it counts,' Cooke said. 'I don't like the labels and the boxes that kind of have been created, because immediately, you know, you're written off and 'othered' in your party because you're this or because you're that. And really, I'm just — I'm running because I'm for western Wisconsin, period.' The national stakes Democrats need a net gain of at least three districts to retake a majority in the House in 2026. And Wisconsin's 3rd District is expected to be highly competitive again in 2026. It's one of just nine Republican-held House seats rated as toss-ups by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. As Cooke welcomes Sanders' support in a district Trump has carried three times, after Barack Obama and other Democratic presidential nominees carried it in previous elections, the Democratic Party is grappling with how to move forward from the 2024 election. Some Democrats — like Sens. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts — have said Democrats alienated some voters in recent years by insisting that candidates agree with certain socially progressive norms and use 'woke' language that not all voters understand. 'We have to, you know, quit demonizing people along the political spectrum. Otherwise we're, we're never going to get there. We're never going to achieve the things that we want to get done," Cooke said. Sanders, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020, kicked off a nationwide 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour this year, rallying with voters across the country and urging Democrats to fight Trump and his allies and to listen to voters' concerns about the economy. Sanders made several stops in Wisconsin, including in Eau Claire County, which is in the 3rd District. Sanders' endorsement statement praised Cooke as a potential "partner in Congress" who shares his goal of "building opportunities for the working class." "She will be an ally to me in the House as she works to enforce antitrust laws against corporate monopolies that have bankrupted family farms like hers, raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage and expand Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing," Sanders said in the statement. He has already thrown his support behind several other candidates in the 2026 midterm elections. They include Maine's former stateSenate president Troy Jackson, who is running for governor; Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed; and Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who is challenging Rep. Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary in a Detroit-area district.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
China's extended 618 shopping fest fails to stir excitement
While the retail environment in China remains difficult, there are signs consumption overall has picked up in recent months. Retail sales growth surpassed expectations in May, with official data showing a 6.4% increase, the fastest growth since December 2023. Analysts pointed to the earlier start of 618, with government consumer subsidies for goods such as home appliances and cellphones, as twin drivers. Jacob Cooke, co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, said the extended 618 festival front-loaded consumer demand, encouraging earlier spending and smoothing consumption trends into May. 'A longer 618 festival with low prices helps sustain engagement across weeks and has contributed materially to May's strong retail performance,' Cooke said. Analysts warn a pause in subsidy programmes in several regions, as central government allocations dry up, could weigh on 618 sales and overall consumption this month, though more funds are likely to be allocated for those programmes in July. 'Rapid sales growth of key subsidy categories (such as home appliances) driven by the 618 shopping festival starting from May have quickly depleted funds,' HSBC analysts wrote in a note. 'Suspension of national subsidies in selected regions may affect 618 sales and June retail sales,' the analysts added. Eve Wang, 32, reflected on the shift in spending habits: 'In the past, for example during events such as Singles' Day and 618, I used to spend a lot of money on stockpiling goods, but now I only buy what I need.' Wang didn't participate in this year 618 shopping festival. 'I didn't buy anything.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Totally remorseless' killer paedophile Sidney Cooke FAILS in bid to be released from prison aged 98
Read on to find out why the twisted killer has become the oldest lag to be refused parole FREEDOM BID FAIL 'Totally remorseless' killer paedophile Sidney Cooke FAILS in bid to be released from prison aged 98 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KILLER paedophile Sidney Cooke has failed in a jail release bid aged 98. The oldest UK lag to have a parole hearing was denied freedom — or a move to open prison. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Sidney Cooke pictured in 1999 before his return to jail Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Killer paedophile Sidney Cooke has failed in a jail release bid aged 98 4 Jason Swift was abducted and killed in 1985 Credit: Enterprise News and Pictures The former fairground worker was part of a paedophile gang jailed over the 1985 killing of abducted Jason Swift, 14, in Hackney, East London. He was released in 1998, but jailed for life soon after for abusing two brothers in the 1970s. His paedophile 'Dirty Dozen' gang was suspected of abducting and killing 17 boys. A source said: 'Cooke will be devastated, though it is clearly the right decision. 'He is totally remorseless and not rehabilitated at all. 'People like him will never change.' It was his twelfth release bid. And a spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel refused the release of Sidney Cooke following a paper review. 'The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.' 4 The Sun's story on menace Cooke in 1998 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Prolific paedophile SIDNEY Cooke is one of Britain's most infamous paedophiles, known for leading a gang of child abusers responsible for some of the country's most horrific crimes. Born in 1927, Cooke worked as a fairground worker, travelling across the UK with his 'Test Your Strength' machine. This job allowed him to move frequently and target vulnerable boys, often gaining their trust with sweets and promises of fairground rides. Cooke was the ringleader of a group later dubbed the 'Dirty Dozen,' a gang of paedophiles who preyed on young boys, often those from troubled backgrounds or living on the streets. Operating out of a flat in Hackney's Kingsmead estate, the gang lured, drugged, and raped children, sometimes leading to their deaths. His most infamous crime was the brutal abuse and murder of 14-year-old Jason Swift in 1985. Cooke and his gang took turns sexually assaulting Jason after each paying £5. When Jason died from the abuse, they dumped his body in Essex. Cooke was convicted of Jason's manslaughter in 1989 and sentenced to 19 years, though he served only nine before being released in 1998. His release sparked public outrage, and within months, police arrested him again for abusing two teenage brothers in the 1970s. In 1999, Cooke pleaded guilty to ten charges, including rape and indecent assault, and received two life sentences. Now in his late 90s, Cooke remains in prison. Detectives believe he and his gang may be linked to up to 17 child murders, including the disappearance of seven-year-old Mark Tildesley, whose body has never been found.
