Glenn Cockerill


Glenn Cockerill is an English retired footballer who played more than 700 games in The Football League in a 22-year career. He was a skilled central midfielder renowned for his passing and shooting skills.

Playing career

Cockerill began his career at non-league Louth United, making a goalscoring debut for the first team in their 1–1 home Football League |Midland League] draw with Mexborough Town on 9 March 1976. He would go on to score five times in seven league appearances in his debut season. He attracted the attention of Lincoln City when, after scoring two goals in a 3–3 FA Youth Cup draw with the club on 15 September 1976, he signed Northern Intermediate League forms with the Sincil Bank based club as part of a trial period. The trial was successful leading to him joining the club as a professional in November after agreeing a two-year contract with a year's option. He made his Football League debut for the club as a 70th minute substitute for John Ward in the club's 5–4 home victory over Northampton Town on 5 February 1977.
In November 1979, he joined Swindon Town for a club record fee of £111,000. He returned to Lincoln City in July 1981, moving on to join Sheffield United for a fee of £120,000 in March 1984. He later joined Southampton in October 1985. He left the Saints in December 1993, having made 358 appearances for the club in all competitions, and later spent three seasons at Leyton Orient, before finishing his career with spells at Fulham and Brentford.
In 1988, while playing for Southampton, Cockerill was punched in the face by Paul Davis of Arsenal, breaking his jaw. Although the referee failed to spot the incident, Davis subsequently received a nine-match ban and a £3,000 fine.

Management and coaching career

In 2002, Cockerill was appointed manager of Conference side Woking. He spent five seasons as manager at Kingfield, before being relieved of his duties in March 2007. He is now semi-retired.
In August 2008 Brighton and Hove Albion Manager Micky Adams added Cockerill to his scouting network.
On 4 April 2010, he was appointed manager of Winchester City of the Wessex League although he remained in charge for only a few months, parting company with Winchester by mutual consent in September 2010.

Personal life

He is the son of Ron and brother of John Cockerill, both also professional footballers.

Career statistics

Honours

Southampton