Cooky joins Stanley

Last updated : 23 May 2003 By Tony Scholes

Some years ago a young lad from Liverpool said that if he didn’t drink his milk he would have to play for Accrington Stanley, today Cooky become one scouser who has chosen to play for them as they climb to their highest level since being formed in 1968.

Many thought this was to be the midfielder’s next port of call and seemed almost to be confirmed when he said he would not play for another league club after leaving Turf Moor. Today he has agreed what is believed to be a one year deal at the Crown Ground.

He hasn’t broken the Stanley bank either and chairman Eric Whalley was quick to rubbish any such rumours.

"We are delighted that Paul has agreed to join us next year," said Whalley. "It says a lot for Stanley in that we are able to attract a player who played over 30 games with a Nationwide Divsion One side last year.

But the club is run as a business, our outgoings must be in proportion to our incomings. We have self set limits that we will not exceed, and we certainly won't pay full time wages to part time players."

Cook is expected to be joined by Gordon Armstrong in the near future and this could be a boost for Stanley who could attract some Clarets fans to matches on the occasions we are not playing.