Mr Warwickshire Keith Cook has been a Bear for nearly 52 years. But, on the eve of his Club's 2025 season, he's decided to call time on his Edgbaston career for a well-earned retirement.
‘Cookie’ has seen and done it all during a remarkable career.
He joined First Team Coach Ian Westwood for a final lap of Edgbaston’s hallowed turf to talk memories and highlights of his time at the Club he joined in 1973.
#OnceABearAlwaysABear
Westy: “The big day is getting nearer. How are you feeling?
Cookie: “It’s been a bit of a challenge to get my had round it all. But I think I’m looking forward to it now. It’ll be very different, not being at Edgbaston. Think I’m ready to go.”
Westy: “Sure you’re making the right call?”
Cookie (laughing): “Only time will tell mate. 51, touching 52 years, is enough for anyone. Can’t go on forever, as much as I’m enjoying it. You’re body starts to tell you when it’s time to give it up. I think I’ve judged it about right.”
Westy: “The ground has changed a bit since you first started?”
Cookie: “It was a two-level portacabin I think when I first arrived! Nothing on this side, the old Hill Bank Stand, this was the Ray Bank Stand, no floodlights. In days when they played cricket in black and white. Uncovered wickets. Lots of changes off the field as well.”
Westy: “What will you miss the most?”
Cookie: “Apart from you?! The team spirit, being part of the group with these boys, that’s the thing you don’t get in any other walk of life. I’ve been fortunate to have that for many years. The chat in the morning, the banter. The fun you have in a dressing room, that’s hard to replace in your life. It won’t be quite the same in the allotments!”
Westy: “I did hear a rumour you were late for your first day at work!”
Cookie: “I was. August 1973 I came for the interview, I’d just finished school. I thought this would be a great place to start my career. Little did I know I’d be ending it here as well. They posted me the offer letter – no email of course – asking me to start on a Monday morning the day before an England vs West Indies Test match. I headed into Birmingham, on the bus, and asked the driver to drop me off near the stadium. But the driver forgot! I was at Birmingham University when I realised. About five stops past, had to run back, sweating cobs when I got there. It wasn’t a great start!”
Westy: “You’ve done most jobs here, tell me something that stands out from the 52 years.”
Cookie: “Being part of England matches at Edgbaston has always been a real thrill. And being around the team at the time of big successes, finals days, trips to Lord’s, winning County Championships here, and being able to walk out and hand the trophy over to the captain at the time, that was pretty memorable.
“The team of the 90s was incredible. It almost felt like we had a regular annual booking for the hotel at Lord’s we reached Finals Day so often. It wasn’t always the case. I started here in 1973 the year after we won the Championship. Then we went seven years without winning anything, I was starting to think I was a jinx.
“But one of my fondest memories was very recently, the day Pasty (Liam Norwell) kept us up against Hampshire, bowled out of his skin, it was one of the most moving things I’ve ever witnessed. I walked out of the office, really nervous, as I didn’t think it was going to happen. I went into an old dressing room that we used to occupy, and watched from a window there. I thought if I move, it’s not going to happen, I’ll break the magic. You know what cricket superstition is like. But when we did I went back to the pavilion and the celebrations went crazy. Although it was to avoid relegation, it about being part of something special with the Bears, that fighting spirit. That was lovely.”
Westy: “I didn’t have you down as the superstitious time, do you get nervous watching?”
Cookie: “Yeah, but I try not to let you lot know, that’s not going to help the situation. I get very nervous. I try to keep an eye on what’s happening without being glued to it at the window. I’m not generally superstitious, but when watching the Bears I do tend to keep my fingers crossed.”
Westy: “Who’s the favourite overseas player you’ve worked with?”
Cookie: “There’s been so many. I always had a fantastic relationship with my old mate Anton Ferreira (former South African cricketer, eight seasons with Warwickshire). Yogi we used to call him. He’s been back to Edgbaston a few times, we’ve had some real good catch-ups. I’ve been blessed with meeting some fantastic people.”
Westy: “You’ll have seen a few characters pass through the gates over the years?”
Cookie: “Those are the treasured memories I’ll take with me, people I’ve worked alongside. I won’t mention names! Some interesting characters.”
Westy: “Who’s been the main culprit for all your grey hair!?”
Cookie: “Put it down to our physio, Mostert! We’ve all changed. Don’t think I had any grey hair until you turned up. Maybe it’s something to do with you!?”
Westy: “From a selfish point of view, who am I going to call when something goes wrong?”
Cookie: “You’ll always have my number. But we’ve got some good guys in there, great set-up, nothing they can’t deal with. And you’ve got it covered Wes.”
Westy: “Cookster. I think it’s fair to say you’re going to be missed around here mate. I’d like to persuade you to do another couple of years but from me and all the players, a huge thank-you for everything you’ve done, your service, and you’ve always done it with a smile on your face. To leave after 50-odd years and no one will have a bad word to say about you is testament to what a great man you are. So from all Bears around the world, we love you mate.”
Cookie: “Thanks mate, it’s been a real privilege.”
2025 Membership
It’s an historic year for the Club in 2025, as Bears Men and Women will compete side-by-side. Bears together.
Join the journey with Memberships available, including 1882 Full Club (all domestic cricket), our new B5 White Ball (T20, 50-Over and The Hundred) and Junior Bears (U16s).
