Maurice Cook

Personal information
Date of birth 10 December 1931
Place of birth Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Date of death 31 December 2006 (aged 75)
Position Striker
Youth career
Hertfordshire schools
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Potten End
Berkhamsted Town
1952–1958 Watford 208 (68)
1958–1965 Fulham 221 (89)
1965–1966 Reading 12 (2)
1966–1967 Banbury United (player-coach)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Maurice Cook (10 December 1931 – 31 December 2006) was an English professional association footballer, and also an amateur cricketer for Hertfordshire. Capable of playing in any outfield position, Cook spent the majority of his career as a centre forward. He was best known for his spells at Football League clubs Watford and Fulham. He also played for Berkhamsted Town and Reading, and finished his playing career with a season as player-coach of Banbury United, in the Southern League. In 1960, Cook scored the first ever goal in the Football League Cup.

Born and raised in Hemel Hempstead, Cook played for Hertfordshire as a schoolboy, and later for local sides Potten End and Berkhamsted Town.

Cook joined Football League Third Division South side Watford as an amateur in 1952, turning professional at the end of the 1952–53 season. He made his debut in Watford's first game of the following campaign, away to Southampton on 19 August 1953. His first professional goal came exactly one month later, giving Watford a 1–0 win at Coventry City. Playing 45 of a possible 47 games, Cook finished 1953–54 with nine goals as Watford ended the season fourth in the division.