Steve Cook is a loyal servant, what is his future at Nottingham Forest?

The Premier League is a truly beautiful platform, some of the world’s most prominent and prolific superstars gracing the grass of English football, and some incredible stadiums/audiences, but beneath all this is a brutal and unforgiving trapdoor, one of which many players fall through, even with previous loyalties to clubs. In Nottingham Forest’s case, Steve Cook was one of those: arriving in January, and having some excellent performances, being an integral part in the sides promotion – but just six months later, without football, and coaching in the academy. Even with this brutal reality, Steve Cook still keeps smiling, and his influence to the next generation at Forest will be incredibly valuable, and his time at the City Ground is by no means over yet – could he make a return?

The arrival:

January 2022 was an unusual time for Nottingham Forest, the idea of promotion a possibility, something new to many Forest fans, and the final cogs needed to achieve it being procured in this winter window – Steve Cook the second through the door, with Keinan Davis just before him, and Sam Surridge joining on the final day of the window – three major signings for the Reds, Cook the final addition the Forest back-five yearned for.

Before arriving at Trentside, Steve Cook enjoyed an illustrious spell with Bournemouth, originally joining on loan in 2012, and a year later moving permanently for a fee of £150,000 – a fee that would end up being one of the most incredible bargains in the Cherries’ history.

‘Cookie’ saw promotion from League 1, to the Championship, and eventually the Premier League – ten terrific years by the coast, 389 appearances, 20 goals, he left the club as a legend, with a testimonial still in the works. Ten years and a day since joining the Cherries, Cook would now find himself in a new outfit, that of the Garibaldi red, in a team that had underachieved for so long, and now had a dream – a possibility – the long awaited return to the Premier League for Nottingham Forest.

To say signing Steve Cook was that of a signing with ‘significant potential’ & ‘years left in the game’ wouldn’t be the way this deal could be described, but in fact the latter, in a positive way: someone with over a decade of footballing experience, at many levels, who would be the ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ in Forest’s defence – replacing Tobias Figueredo as the ‘centre-man’ between Joe Worrall & Scott Mckenna, a role in which came to him naturally, and he flourished in. From the knee-height headers, to the visions of a battling-norseman gracing the City Ground’s grasses, Steve Cook was crucial in the promotion of Nottingham Forest – his sheer bravery and leadership made Forest such tough unit to break down, and he might just go down as not only one of the best free signings the Reds have made, but one of the most important signings made. His contribution was major – the man to steady the ship just that little bit more, add his knowledge and passion, while also being nasty at times too – the sort of player you’d love at your team, but hate to be on the receiving end of.

After a decade at a side like Bournemouth, moving hours from what used to be called ‘home’, and having to fit straight into a side within such a small period of time would usually be incredibly challenging, but for Steve Cook, it was almost effortless, immediately making his presence known, and overseeing some spectacular defensive showings. His years of Championship game-time now a weapon for Forest, one at the hands of Steve Cooper, one he utilised perfectly, with the ultimate pay-off.

The Premier League campaign:

With the Premier League dream now established, and complete, another challenge was, and still is, on the horizon: Premier League survival, and with this came many new signings and no room for sentimentality, change would come, and to the detriment of some promotion heroes, one of those being Steve Cook.

Playing 12 league games, and starting in all of those, the first half of the season up until January was fairly similar to the last season, despite the odd time when he wasn’t selected. Premier League football rocked the Reds, and the force they faced against some of the leagues/world’s best attackers was simply too much on many occasions, and because of this Steve Cooper was forced to make some uncomfortable decisions: one of those being the change in formation (now to four at the back), and then dropping Steve Cook to the bench – someone of whom Cooper had great trust in, someone who he admired, but there was no room for sentimentality, and after the Brentford game in late October, Steve Cook would not feature again in Forest’s 22/23 Premier League campaign.

With the transfer deadline soon approaching, many players’ seasons would come into question, and unfortunately for him, Steve Cook was one of those – shortly after the deadline, Cook was taken off the Forest 25-man squad list, and left to train, but nothing more with the first-team. Major injury worries to Forest’s defence would lead Forest boss, Steve Cooper, to ask the Premier League for emergency registration powers and allow Steve Cook to once again join the 25-man squad, but both application and appeal were denied – now there was absolutely no chance the defender would feature. Despite the unfortunate end to the campaign, ‘Cookie’ would bow out with some decent performances, and a fabulous assist for Taiwo Awoniyi’s winner against Liverpool earlier in the season – a moment Forest fans will never forget.

Life after January:

Even with the devastating news received, rather than sulk and feel somewhat of a ‘grudge’ towards the club, Steve Cook’s professionalism and cool-character shone through, and since the decision he has continued to train and attend matches, while also adopting himself into a coaching role with some of the younger players – once again, signs of a natural-born leader, someone who loves football, no matter what hurdles were thrown in his path.

In a recent interview with BBC Sport he told the interviewer about the “special” club he is part of:

“I’ve got another year left at Forest so there will be a decision to be made and I’ve got to be ready for that. I’m not doing too much sulking, I’ve been doing some coaching in the academy and just keeping myself busy.”

“It’s a huge and very special club. You can see from our results this year – without the home form we would be dead and buried,” he said. “I think they are the only fans that have really stuck with a manager in a season of difficulties. With the clubs around, the fan base has had an issue apart from here.

“They are very behind the manager, behind the team and that’s what has given us the chance to stay in the league.

“They’re a very passionate fanbase and I’ve loved playing here and experiencing that.”

With 36 appearances in a Forest shirt, some might argue his job is already done, and Steve Cook has served his purpose – perhaps Forest’s league status may be a defining moment in whether Cook features again in the first-team, but could he be destined for a coaching role? Perhaps so – the question is, when? There is still an excellent player in Steve Cook, and experience as valuable as his would be cherished by any club – summer will be time for thought, and some decision making.

Even if this was to be Steve Cook’s final months as a Forest player, it’s fair to say that every time he put on the jersey he gave his absolute all, played with his heart on his sleeve, and raised the collective standard – I do hope he continues at Forest, but will always wish him well, he has been a truly excellent servant on the pitch, and now even off of it by helping the next generation of Forest players. It’s so rare you find a player with such a character, and credit to Forest’s recruitment, he was an excellent signing who did exactly what was needed – a major component in promotion to the promised land, at last. For that, forever grateful.

Thank you for reading this piece on Forest Defender, Steve Cook, as written by Jamie Martin.

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*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Steve Cook arguably one of the best free transfers in Forest’s history.