team mates
Steve Cook - Bournemouth Defender
Best mate at the club?
Joe Partington. We live together and he was one of the guys who helped me settle in when I first got here. Ever since then we’ve been really good friends – we’ve got a good little thing going on.
Last to buy dinner?
Simon Francis is really wellknown for that sort of thing! He’s always last to get his money out for dinner or to buy coffees. He plays up to his reputation a little bit now, but I think it’s to mask the fact that he actually is tight.
The FIFA king?
There are a few that fancy themselves but it’s Harry Arter. He takes a lot of money off the lads, especially Callum Wilson who came in and thought he would run it.
Worst dressed?
Dan Gosling comes in with all the designer gear and he’ll wear a bit of anything, so it doesn’t always match. He gets a lot of stick from the lads, but I think some of it goes over his head.
The pre-match dressing room DJ?
Recently Adam Smith has taken over and he’s into his dance music. Adam gets a lot of stick because he’s unbelievably thick, but if you’re ever down he will brighten your day. He’s one of a kind but music is something he knows a lot about.
The most skilful?
Junior Stanislas. He’s very good on the ball. As a team overall I think we could probably do with a bit more skill.
Late for training?
Harry Arter leaves everything to the last minute – last Saturday he cruised in with about 30 seconds to spare. We’ve got a wheel of fortune at Bournemouth and if you’re late you have to take a spin. There’s a wide variety of fines and forfeits on it ranging from singing in front of the lads to turning up in fancy dress.
Teacher’s pet?
That’s definitely Ryan Fraser – he always does any extras he can and the gaffer does like him. He’s a great character, but he’s quite thick as well, so I think the gaffer likes him for a laugh.
Best cook?
I’ve had a few meals cooked by Simon Francis and they’re alright, but he fancies himself a bit too much – he puts himself up with the top chefs. I don’t cook at all – the fitness coach’s wife feeds me and Joe!
Most likely to disgrace themselves at the Christmas party?
Ian Harte doesn’t get out a lot, so when he does he always goes for it.
The worst tattoo?
Harry Arter has the saying “Setbacks pave the way for comebacks” tattooed on his arm, which he gets a lot of stick for. He had it done when he was 16 – I think if he had a chance to go back in time and not get it done, he would!
Never puts their phone down?
Sometimes you look round the changing room and everyone is on their phone. Some mornings it tends not to be very sociable. But Simon Francis is always on to his missus – before training and straight after, even though they live together.
Going to make the best manager?
We’ve got quite a young squad, but I think our captain, Tommy Elphick. He’s so knowledgeable about the game.