At Everton he played chiefly in the Central League and Liverpool County Combination sides and came to Southport as a wing-half when he wanted to get more involved in the family business. It was not until he was tried at full-back in the Reserves that he found his best position. When Colin Beardshaw was injured Cookson was called up for the Third Round F.A. Cup-tie with Hull City and he did quite well. He was in and out of the side for the rest of the season, but in 1950-51 he became a regular. He got few opportunities once Wally Taylor took over at right-back and quickly made the berth his own. Cookson’s only goal was a free-kick against Darlington, struck from the halfway line. He was licensee of the ‘Tailors Arms’ at Ford until 1974 and thereafter became Steward of the Constitutional Club at Seaforth. Latterly he had a history of heart trouble which induced him to take early retirement. He died at home of a heart attack.