All at Brentford were saddened to hear of the death of Robbie Cooke, which was announced yesterday, Saturday 7 August. Robbie has a place in Brentford folklore as one of only six players in our history to have scored at Wembley in our colours. He died at the age of 64.
Robbie spent around three years at Brentford and was part of the team that reached the Freight Rover Trophy Final in 1985. The Bees lost 3-1 to Wigan Athletic, with Robbie scoring the goal that day. He was the second player to score for The Bees at Wembley, after Leslie Smith in the 1942 London War Cup Final. Only Harlee Dean, Henrik Dalsgaard, Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes have done it since.
Robbie was a prolific goal scorer for Grantham Town and was brought in to the Football League by Peterborough United. He moved to Cambridge United before joining Brentford, initially on loan, in December 1984. He completed a permanent move soon after and found the net regularly for an unspectacular Brentford side in the mid-1980s.
The forward left to join Millwall and also played non-league football for Kettering Town and Bourne Town, among others, before ending where he started, at Grantham. After retiring, Robbie worked as a scout for David Moyes. He worked with Moyes at Preston North End, Everton and Manchester United.
Robbie played 150 games, scoring 64 times, for Brentford in three years in West London and scored 53 Football League goals for The Bees in 124 games. While at Kettering he earned England C honours, winning a place in the national team for non-league players. The thoughts of everyone at Brentford are with Robbie’s family and friends.