THERE was a great deal of emotion on show when Andy Cook came on from the bench for Bradford City against Grimsby Town at Valley Parade on September 2.

Following his loan move to the Mariners - ending his near-five association with the Bantams - there was plenty of sentiment in the air once again.

Countless gratitude too at the input of the club’s fourth all-time record goalscorer behind Bobby Campbell, Frank O’Rourke and James Hanson.

The north-easterner will be recalled fondly by everyone of a claret and amber persuasion. A total of 88 goals in 205 appearances does that, but the human side of Cook will also strike a chord with supporters.

Bradford City's Andy Cook celebrates at full-time after his two-goal showing in his comeback game against Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy in early September. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

placeholder image — Bradford City's Andy Cook celebrates at full-time after his two-goal showing in his comeback game against Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy in early September. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

His serious knee injury sustained at Barrow on New Year's Day 2025 was a cruel, untimely blow for the striker and was impossible not to feel for him. It proved to be his last league start for the club.

He shared in City's promotion from the stands on that never-to-be-forgotten day against Fleetwood last May.

Following that 90+6 moment from Antoni Sarcevic, Cook couldn't help himself, watching on from the sidelines. Partway through his rehabilitation following knee surgery, he raced onto the pitch amid scenes of complete pandemonium at BD8.

It wasn't the best idea, but his spontaneity was still understandable. Cook's cherished ambition at City was to achieve promotion, so few would have begrudged him being involved somehow. Even if it was not in the way he really wanted.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Andy Cook of Bradford City looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Bradford City at St James' Park on September 24, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

His aforesaid outing against his new employers Grimsby at the start of the autumn in the EFL Trophy was notable for his final two goals at Valley Parade in his comeback game, his first appearance in 244 days.

Two trademark headers and he'd scored a fair few of those before that. After netting his first, he raced to the home dug-out to share a moment with physio Joe Gannon, who has been by his side during his painstaking road to recovery.

His final goal for City also had a story. It came at St James' Park, with boyhood Newcastle United fan Cook not only realising a dream by playing at the famous stadium, but also scoring in an EFL Cup tie on September 24.

His time at City - who are reportedly in talks to sign Newcastle loan duo Joe White and Harrison Ashby and are also being linked with Manchester United forward Ethan Wheatley - is now over, but what memories.

From 31 goals in that record-breaking 2022-23 campaign to some key ones right at the start of his time at City, when the club were battling to stay in the EFL and not striving for promotion.

Addressing supporters in a poignant farewell message, Cook said: "The last five years have been nothing short of unbelievable. This place has been my home and saying goodbye is incredibly heartbreaking.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you to every single one of you for the love and support you have shown me throughout my time here, both on and off the pitch. It never went unnoticed and is something I will carry with me forever."