Rochdale AFC Unofficial Site

Paul Tait

Paul Tait was born on 24 October 1974 in Newcastle. He signed professionally for the first time in 1993 for Everton but he never actually played a game for them. He then went on to Wigan were he made just 5 appearences before travelling not to far to Runcorn were he spent just one year. Moving on to Northwich he spent 3 years with them from 1996-1999. He Moved on to spend 3 years with Crewe playing 62 times but only scoring 6 goals. During that 3 year stay he went out on loan to Hull City on 2001 but it was a disapointing spell only playing 2 times. Taits career finally took off when he moved south to Bristol Rovers. In 74 games he scored 19 goals over a 2 year period. Highly rated by Steve Parkin, Tait moved to Rochdale but he got off to a sticky start. He managed to score a great header live on sky against Wolves in the first round of the carling cup but there wasnt to many more highlights to come. In 47 games Tait hit the back of the net just 3 times meaning he was definatly not a fans favourite. Knowing his time was up he then moved to Chester City but failed to hit the ground running not scoring in any of his 9 games with them. Tait then linked up with other former Rochdale player Jamie Clarke at Boston were Tait scored 2 goals on 14 games before once again he was on the move. He was loaned out to Southport but played 6 times for them and again didnt score. He made a permanent move to Southport on a pay per play contract but he was hit by a serious facial injury meaning he missed nearly all of the seaon which was left.

Tait now has started to run his very own Midland-Soccer School which caters for children Under 12's to reception age - where they can improve their skill and build confidence.

Ernie Cooksey

Ernie Cooksey was born on 11 June 1980 in Essex. Ernie was a late bloomer into football when he started his professional career in 2002 at non league Crawley Town. Ernie played 3 times in the FA Cup whilst at Crawley. He made his move to league football playing for Oldham Athletic. He scored 4 goals in 23 starts for the Latics before moving not to far to Rochdale. Brought in by Steve Parkin Cooksey became an instant favourite. His hard working attitude and all round engergetic play made the terraces sing his name. But after one great season it seemed to go all down hill for Cooksey. His play became tired and ragged and no longer seemed to be able to cope with the everyday life of league football. Starting 64 time Cooksey scored 8 goals. Cooksey moved from Rochdale late last season probally knowing that he was not going to be offered a contract by new Dale boss Keith Hill. He found a new life with the Pilgrims but Boston were in trouble at the wrong end of league 2. Cooksey made 11 starts at the end of the campaign but Boston's problems on and off the field meant they were relegated to the Confrence along with Ernie Cooksey.

Jamie Clarke

Jamie Clarke was born 18 September 1982 in Sunderland. Clarke normally a Midfielder is now a converted defender generally in the right back position. Clarke started his career in 2001 spending 3 years at Field Mill. Clarke played 33 times scoring 1 goal in his time in Mansfield. He was brought to Rochdale in 2004 by manager Steve Parkin. Clarke was a player conftable on the ball with a good range of passing skills but seemed afraid to shoot at times. That showed as in 63 appearence he found the net just once at Lincoln City to earn Rochdale a 1-1 draw. Released by Parkin after reports suggested they had fallen out meant that Clarke moved to Boston in 2006. Probably Bostons best player in all of his 53 games he couldnt prevent them from going down even scoring 3 goals. It wasnt all bad news for Clarke as he has now earned a new contract as Grimsby. This moved will see him start next year with the Mariners. He is probably now doing the best out of all three of our featured players.