| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rodney Rooke [1] | ||
| Date of birth | 7 April 1970 [1] | ||
| Place of birth | Orsett, England [1] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) [2] | ||
| Position(s) | Full-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1986–1988 | Colchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988–1990 | Colchester United | 4 | (0) |
| 1989-1991 | Wivenhoe Town | 10 | (1) |
| Chelmsford City | |||
| Dagenham | |||
| Grays Athletic | |||
| Stambridge United | |||
| 1991-1992 | Wivenhoe Town | 10 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Rodney Rooke (born 7 April 1970) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League as a full-back for Colchester United and a number of English non-League clubs.
Born in Orsett, Rooke joined the Colchester United Academy in 1986. During his second apprentice year, he was training with an athletic specialist in order to add extra pace to his skill. He did enough to be retained on a non-contract basis for the 1988–89 season, receiving his debut on 20 December 1988 in a 2–1 win over rivals Southend United in the Associate Members Cup. [2] [3]
Rooke failed to add to his solitary appearance during the season, generally confined to the reserve team. In pre-season for the 1989–90 season during a tour of Scotland, he displaced regular left-back Clive Stafford, impressing enough to earn him a run in the first-team during the opening games of the league season. However, after the defence leaked a number of goals, the inexperienced Rooke was one of the first players to be replaced. [2] He made his final appearance for the club on 7 October 1989 in a heavy 4–0 away defeat to Aldershot. [4] He made a total of four Football League appearances for the U's. [5]
Shortly after the turn of the year, Rooke left Colchester for pastures new, joining neighbours Wivenhoe Town before signing with Chelmsford City, Dagenham, Grays Athletic and Stambridge United until he later made a return to Wivenhoe. [2]
The 2003–04 season was Colchester United's 62nd season in their history and their sixth successive season in the third tier of English football, the Second Division. Alongside competing in the Second Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy.
The 1989–90 season was Colchester United's 48th season in their history and ninth consecutive season in fourth tier of English football, the Fourth Division. Alongside competing in the Fourth Division, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Associate Members' Cup.
The 1955–56 season was Colchester United's 14th season in their history and their sixth season in the Third Division South, the third tier of English football. Alongside competing in the Third Division South, the club also participated in the FA Cup in which the club were eliminated by Torquay United in the first round. The season was Benny Fenton's first full campaign in charge, and after building his own squad over the summer, he led Colchester to their highest position since the 1951–52 season with a 12th-placed finish. This came on the back of two consecutive seasons of successful re-election applications.
The 1954–55 season was Colchester United's 13th season in their history and their fifth season in the Third Division South, the third tier of English football. Alongside competing in the Third Division South, the club also participated in the FA Cup. Following a replay, Colchester were knocked out of the FA Cup in the first round by Reading. Meanwhile, in the league, Colchester's poor run of form had Jack Butler allowed indefinite leave following a bout of ill health. After resigning in January 1955, Colchester appointed Benny Fenton as his replacement, and despite an upturn in form, a run of defeats at the end of the season meant Colchester needed to apply for re-election for the second successive season. Once more, all clubs applying for re-election were successful, with Colchester receiving 44 votes, behind Third Division North clubs Grimsby Town and Chester City, but eleven votes ahead of division rivals Walsall.
The 1953–54 season was Colchester United's twelfth season in their history and their fourth season in the Third Division South, the third tier of English football. Alongside competing in the Third Division South, the club also participated in the FA Cup. Colchester were knocked out in the first round of the cup by Millwall following a replay. The club struggled in the league for the second successive season, eventually finishing 23rd of 24 teams under new manager Jack Butler. The club had to apply for re-election at the end of the season for the first of three occasions in its history. All four clubs applying for re-election were successful, with Colchester receiving 45 votes, behind Chester by three votes but ahead of both Walsall and Halifax Town.
The 1952–53 season was Colchester United's eleventh season in their history and their third season in the Third Division South, the third tier of English football. Alongside competing in the Third Division South, the club also participated in the FA Cup. Colchester reached the third round of the FA Cup for the second season running, but were knocked out by Second Division side Rotherham United after a replay. The club struggled in the league, eventually finishing 22nd of 24 teams which would ultimately cost manager Jimmy Allen his job.
The 1951–52 season was Colchester United's tenth season in their history and their second season in the Third Division South, the third tier of English football. Alongside competing in the Third Division South, the club also participated in the FA Cup. Colchester reached the third round of the FA Cup before being knocked out by Second Division side Barnsley. In the league, they bettered the previous season's 16th-placed finish by finishing 10th.
The 1950–51 season was Colchester United's ninth season in their history and their first ever season in the Football League, competing in the Third Division South, the third tier of English football. Alongside competing in the Third Division South, the club also participated in the FA Cup. The club ended the league season in 16th-position, while they exited the FA Cup in the first round following a defeat to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.
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