But there is an individual that connects both, and whose name is not so familiar – that of Les Cocker.

He went on to win the Youth Challenge Cup in 1958 by beating a Chelsea team that included Jimmy Greaves. After retiring as a player, Cocker became a coach, working with club sides Luton Town and Leeds United, before working with the victorious England team at the 1966 World Cup.It worked, as they won 1-0, but in the final the magic powers apparently evaporated in 85 degree heat and Arcadia lost 3-0. There is also a telling story offering another view to the alternative as Cocker as just a tough trainer. A Cocker played for Manvers Main in the 1942 Montagu Cup final who had been on the books at Arsenal.

The great Leeds United side of the late sixties and seventies and the England World Cup winning team of 1966 are remembered for the men that managed them, Don Revie and Sir Alf Ramsey respectively. Cocker's expertise shines through as he imparts valuable knowledge on nutrition and its impact on performance. Probably the most significant part of his transfer and which was to ultimately create his future career was the agreement that Accrington would pay for his FA coaching courses and Treatment of Injuries course.Here, his distain for the film The Damned United is detailed given its portrayal of people and events, including Cocker. Following a generous Foreword from ex-Leeds United player John Giles (as he signs himself in the book, rather than the Johnny familiar in his playing days) about his time working at the Elland Road club with Les Cocker, there follows an Introduction from Endeacott. Cocker left Leeds in 1974 to become full-time Assistant Manager to Don Revie with the England national team.

Cocker Hoop is the authorised biography of Les Cocker, renowned trainer and coach for Leeds United and England, working with Don Revie and Alf Ramsey respectively. This turned out to be his only appearance for Wolves' first team and he was released at the end of the season. April 1974 saw Sir Alf Ramsey sacked, prompting all the backroom staff including Cocker stating they would resign in a show of loyalty to the ex-England boss. A great read for the Elland Road faithful, but also for anyone wanting to get a view of football from the 1960s and 1970s. In a Under 23 friendly in Vienna, Alan Ball was sent off with Les providing a consoling arm to the distraught player.This interview forms part of Chapter 2, taking Cocker’s story up to the point of him accepting his first coaching role at Luton Town in 1959. Set against the backdrop of a bygone era, when training methods were simpler yet equally effective, this snapshot offers us a glimpse into the past while highlighting timeless principles that still hold true today. His rising reputation attracted the FA's attention, and Cocker helped the England team achieve their pinnacle success in 1966.

Kerr went on to manage South African side Arcadia United, with Cocker joining him in Pretoria in February 1966, shortly after breaking his collar bone in the final minute of a game at Lockheed. When Revie left in 1977 to become manager of the United Arab Emirates national team, Cocker followed as his assistant. Born in Wolverhampton, Cocker began his career in the youth team of Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1956, playing in their 1958 FA Youth Cup triumph.

Les Cocker signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 15 in 1955 when the club was flying high in the old First Division. With Revie unable to work his magic for the Three Lions and the FA it seems working behind the scenes to bring in another manager, he resigned in in 1977 taking up a role as the manager of the United Arab Emirates national team. The story, which is told from Jimmy O’Rourke’s perspective, sets records straight, corrects myths and rumours and puts right certain ‘selective memories’.