COOKING UP A NEW AMBITION

QPR defender Steve Cook has told of the ‘fulfilment’ buying Step 7 Westfield has given him – even if he admits he does have to get the beers in to keep the players on side!

- Matt Nash

The Hastings-born centre-back returned to his home town to take majority control of the Mid Sussex League Premier Division side in June 2022 and hopes to build a real legacy at the Parish Field.

Cook, 32, has a great fondness for the grassroots game and hopes his investment will propel the Westies up the leagues but admits it is rewarding for him as well as the club.

“I’ve always been around these lads and this environment, watching friends of mine play for Hastings United over the years. It gives me fulfilment,’ said Cook, who made almost 400 Football League appearances during 11 years with Bournemouth.

“It’s a completely different game from the one I’ve been playing and football gets a lot harder the further you go down the pyramid. But I love the competitiveness of Non-League.”

Cook was handed the chance to get involved at Westfield by good friend Jack Stapley, who is the current chairman.