In memory of Steven Cook

[RP]

Having spoken to Chris last night, we would like to invite all those who knew Steve, either online or in person, to share their thoughts, memories and photographs even, in this thread. We will then take them and put them into an appropriate format (e.g. a book) to give to the family.

 

If people would like to make a donation in his memory to a cause that was close to Steve, or the Cook family, then Chris' thoughts are that Steve would definitely want them to go to the HJC if they still need funds. If not, then Missing Persons or Alder Hey Childern's Charity (https://www.alderheycharity.org/). Chris' own son spent some time in Alder Hey Hospiatl for a life-saving emergency operation just a couple of weeks ago, and Steve himself was born prematurely.

 

The family would support all/any of these causes should people feel inclined to donate to any of them in Steve's memory.

 

Thank you all.

 

 

Edited February 25, 2017 by RP

[Murphman]

I first met Steve was in The Oakie. He was with Chris obviously and we sat down and he chatted away for ages with him telling me he was going to Uni and how excited he was about Liverpool, absolutely brim full of the enthusiasm of youth, he was particularly amused at how much stick I got on here about being so old.

 

The last time I saw him was when i was subjected to ritual humiliation i.e. Slapnuts Sharkey starting  the hugely irreverent 'we all dream of a team of Gingerknobs', such a shame Chris had his phone nicked that night and the video was lost, Steve absolutely loved it though.

 

and finally, the day we had a fund raiser in The Oakie which was supported by people from all over the country, digging deep, the plane going out of Liverpool with a search party of volunteers, so sad it didn't conclude as we'd all hoped and prayed for, but he's now at peace and coming home. RIP Steve.

[Bad News Bear]

I remember Steve and Chris coming in the Oakie and being jealous, as he and I would be roughly the same age, as he was relaxing with his brother before the match and I was working.

 

Talking about how s*** it was that was stuck working and telling him how I had to run the match two before kickoff when everyone had left.

 

Genuinely likeable guy and I (am sure am not alone) KNOW he would have achieved so much.

 

Feel it was a missed opportunity not knowing him better.

 

Chris and family I am so sorry.

[oakie bob]

, hang on Carl, dont remember you working too hard !!

 

Having a beer with Stevie and trying to work out what the hell Slappy was going on about with his Geordie accent, or who he (slappy) was next going to rattle.  Steve was a true red and owes loads of pints, but I think we can call it even now. 

[Molby]

Even my ex said "what a lovely lad"

[Molby]

Even my ex said "what a lovely lad"

Sorry, this isn't much of a story

It was after Juventus in 2005

 

We were all in Concert Square

[Aunty-N.W.A]

I first met Steve was in The Oakie. He was with Chris obviously and we sat down and he chatted away for ages with him telling me he was going to Uni and how excited he was about Liverpool, absolutely brim full of the enthusiasm of youth, he was particularly amused at how much stick I got on here about being so old.

 

The last time I saw him was when i was subjected to ritual humiliation i.e. Slapnuts Sharkey starting  the hugely irreverent 'we all dream of a team of Gingerknobs', such a shame Chris had his phone nicked that night and the video was lost, Steve absolutely loved it though.

 

and finally, the day we had a fund raiser in The Oakie which was supported by people from all over the country, digging deep, the plane going out of Liverpool with a search party of volunteers, so sad it didn't conclude as we'd all hoped and prayed for, but he's now at peace and coming home. RIP Steve.

 

That was a cracking night that, Dave's rendition of Gary Macca was nothing short of heroic.

[Jonesy]

 

Wayne took this outside the Ataturk. 

 

Will took this one. Again from Istanbul, Taksim square.

WTF is going on Slapnuts hair and my Lionel Blair look!?

[Jonesy]

 

Cardiff 2005 Carling Cup Final.  

[oakie bob]

 

Cardiff 2005 Carling Cup Final.  

Why do you look you are about to headbutt Andy 

[Jonesy]

Why do you look you are about to headbutt Andy 

 

I thought everyone looked that way when they talk to Andy?

 

One amount of headbutt - drop in a pan. 

It's Stevie I feel sorry ...A rose between to thorns. 

 

I am also drinking a pint of coke! WTF is all that about?

[Aunty-N.W.A]

I was hoping someone would speak to me about Sacking Rafa

 

P.S They're cracking pictures

Edited February 27, 2017 by Aunty-N.W.A

[Jonesy]

 

Mini Pavarotti in Istanbul. Stevie was here somewhere milling about .....Chris is in the shot. Night before the final. 

I remember us trying to get him to sing Nessun dorma...and all he wanted to do was drink our ale. So we ended up getting him bladdered. He was  nearly in tears at the end of the night when we decided to move on. 

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

I grew up in Alsager which is about 6 miles from Sandbach where the Cooks are from. At both my primary & secondary school there were plenty of kids & friends of mine from Sandbach and as kids we'd cycle over there to see mates. So when I learned he was from Sandbach there was an immediate affinity for him. This was underlined by him having such an easygoing & welcoming personality. He was one of the people I'd speak to most on this forum in its early days. Then when I got to know Chris (Spike) and learned he is ALSO from Sandbach (!) that was like - woah. So I set about trying to introduce Steve to Chris. Needless to say, they knew each other.

[charlie clown]

I first met Steve was in The Oakie. He was with Chris obviously and we sat down and he chatted away for ages with him telling me he was going to Uni and how excited he was about Liverpool, absolutely brim full of the enthusiasm of youth, he was particularly amused at how much stick I got on here about being so old.

 

The last time I saw him was when i was subjected to ritual humiliation i.e. Slapnuts Sharkey starting  the hugely irreverent 'we all dream of a team of Gingerknobs', such a shame Chris had his phone nicked that night and the video was lost, Steve absolutely loved it though.

 

and finally, the day we had a fund raiser in The Oakie which was supported by people from all over the country, digging deep, the plane going out of Liverpool with a search party of volunteers, so sad it didn't conclude as we'd all hoped and prayed for, but he's now at peace and coming home. RIP Steve.

 

This was pretty much along the lines of what I was going to post, I first met Steve in the Oakie (I think) though it may have been in the pub we used to meet up in before that (whose name escapes me now, I think its where the Glenbuck is now). Anyway, remember chatting to him in the Oakie and that famous fund-raising night in the room upstairs in particular was a fantastic evening (I remember outbidding Jon Hall on something he wanted just to push the price up so he would have to pay more for it). It was a great night but it was a real sadness as well that Steve didn't see how much people cared for him and the rest of the family. That was just one of many, many ways in which numerous groups, friends, communities did their bit to bring StevieBoy2k home.

 

I remember too the night Steve went missing. Chris was posting on here, frantic with worry because he'd not heard anything from his little bro, and that tells you how close they were and how much love they had for each other. When we go on holiday, we tend to say 'tara' to our folks when we leave and then ring up to say 'we're back' when we get home. Chris knew something was wrong immediately, because he'd not heard from Steve for about 12 hours. We all tried to reassure him and were making up scenarios to explain the radio silence but as the days dragged on it was clear something had gone wrong somewhere. But we never gave up hope, and all we wanted was for him to come home. 

[Jonesy]

This is taken from the Find Steven Cook page. Chris had said it's ok for me to post it here.

 

We are now in a position to announce the arrangements for Stevens funeral 
His service will be on the 15th June at 11 o'clock at St. Mary's church in Sandbach followed by a private Internment 
While we thank everyone for there support over the 11 years we are making the church service public but wish for privacy after this for the family to say their goodbyes

[Spike]

Thanks for posting that Jonesy and thanks to everyone for sharing their memories here. It got a bit dusty in the house reading it through.

 

Whilst everything after the service is private, as per mum and dads wishes, I will be heading into sandbach afterwards to raise a few jars so I will hopefully see a few of you then. I've reserved a number of seats in the church for ynwa and our matchgoing mates as we don't know how busy it will be. If you're deffo coming though can you let me know so we have a seat reserved.

 

Thanks to you all once again for your unwavering support and help over the years. Time to give the lad a f***ing good send off now. Ynwa

Edited June 11, 2017 by Spike

[Jonesy]

I'll be there with Sharkey and I think Wayne is coming

[oakie bob]

I won't be able to make it Chris, but I will be raising a pint to you all.  Hopefully catch up with you soon and we can have drink.  Take care.