Sunderland prospect signs for North-East rivals Newcastle after branding Black Cats ‘cowards with no class’ for coldly sacking his father and kitman John Cooke… who served the club for 35 years
- Jay Turner-Cooke slammed Sunderland after the sacking of his father, John
- The Black Cats kitman wasn’t acknowledged by the club despite 35 years there
- Turner-Cooke has now penned a three-year professional deal with Newcastle
The Sunderland player who labelled the club’s hierarchy ‘cowards’ for making his father redundant has signed for North-East rivals Newcastle.
Sportsmail revealed last month that the Black Cats were investigating after Jay Turner-Cooke criticised the club when his father, former player and popular kitman John Cooke, was let go without any public acknowledgement after 35 years of service.
But now Turner-Cooke, 17, has penned a three-year deal with the Magpies, who have moved to snap up the highly-rated midfielder who had starred for Sunderland’s Under 23s.
Newcastle poached Jay Turner-Cooke from Sunderland after the talent slammed his old club
His father, John Cooke, was sacked by the club after 35-years of service without a send-off
The player wrote on Twitter: ‘Proud moment signing a professional contract at NUFC. Hard work continues. Thank you to the players and staff at Sunderland for the last seven years, good luck for the future.’
But Turner-Cooke posted a message in relation to his father’s redundancy last month, saying: ’35 years at the club and no acknowledgment even though he was made redundant 2 months ago. COWARDS. No class, no loyalty, no respect. Hang your heads in shame Sunderland AFC. You know who you are.’
A host of former Sunderland players came out in support of Cooke, who is considering legal action.
The kitman was also a player for six years before becoming a mainstay in the backroom staff
Cook was hailed as a ‘legend’ by former Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen after he left
Thomas Sorensen said: ‘Cookie is a legend and has given everything to Sunderland. The club should not forget to recognise a person who worked every day of the week, through the night at times, so us players could proudly wear the club badge.’
Cooke made nearly 300 Football League appearances after starting his career at Sunderland in 1979, where he spent six years as a player before returning as kitman in 1994.