We have now started to receive a steady stream of emails from people wishing to pay tribute to Ernie Cooksey and will put them here on the official website as they come in.


Jim Wilkinson, a freelance journalist who covers Dale on a regular basis wrote

Deepy saddened and upset to hear of Ernie's passing

Following Rochdale intermittently over the last 4 or 5 seasons it has been heartening to see football players as proper human beings again, close to the fans and the community

Ernie was what I always think of as a proper old-fashioned footballer and in what minimal dealings I had with him he was always approachable and courteous.I know I feel very sad reading about his illness, his passing and his family so I realise how you guys who worked with him on a day to day basis in his time at the club must feel
 
I can only say I'm thinking about you all but most of all Ernie's close family and friends
 
 

Alex Watson added his thoughts

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I know you will be very busy and inundated with communications at this sad time, but please add this note to the hundreds of messages of condolence you will undoubtedly be sending to Ernie's family.I am just an ordinary fan, who of course did not know Ernie personally; However, Ernie was everything us ordinary fans look for in a Footballer, and also I am certain, in a Man.

God bless.

From further afield...............

I'm a Shrewsbury Town supporter and we had a lot of affection for Ernie, he was a great character. 
Is there a fund in aid of his family?   If so I would like to make a contribution and would appreciate details. 
Thank you.
 
David Campion


and from a regular contributor.............
 

A very popular man amongst the fans of Rochdale. Ernie represented everything I want to see in a player?desire, commitment, enthusiasm and drive. Players come and go, some making more of an impression than others. I sincerely hope his young children will realise, in time, the impact their father had on those who had the privilege to see him play. 
Ernie Cooksey was a Rochdale footballer and a hero of mine. 

Machar Smith

Just wanted to add a few thoughts of my own.I feel deeply saddened by the loss of Ernie, and the loss his family must be feeling.
I would like to add my heart felt best wishes to Ernie's family, and of course his expected child.I watched Ernie many times for the Dale and enjoyed watching him, always impressed by his attitude for the game. I can here the chants of Ernie; he always seemed to command with his 100% commitment to all he did.He again impressed me with his attitude when he took the trouble to pop in to say hello to me and discuss footy for a few minutes, when visiting a friend of his near my work. (Who had told him I was a Dale fanatic).
At a time when football and society seems to lack people of such character, his loss is very sad, again showing how strange and cruel life can be, at times.
I consider it a privilege to have watched and met you Ernie.
Kind Regards 
 Kevin Parry

Ernie Cooksey

 

 

Should you wish to add your comments please email mike.brookes@rochdaleafc.co.uk