BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Let Cooke quit, says Rovers great

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 17:32 GMT 18:32 UK

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Let Cooke quit, says Rovers great

Cooke scored the match-winning try in the 2005 Challenge Cup final

Roger Millward says fans should respect Paul Cooke's wish to quit Hull FC in order to join city rivals Hull KR.

Cooke, a 26-year-old stand-off or loose forward, has come under fire from Hull FC supporters for handing in a transfer request so he can sign for the Robins.

But Millward, a Hull KR great, said: "I really hope the fans stay off his back.

"It is Paul Cooke who is going out there every week putting his body on the line. If he wants to follow his heart and play for Rovers, let him."

Cooke rocked Hull FC earlier this week by handing in a transfer request, claiming he was out of contract.

But his move to the Robins, the team he supports, was blocked by the Rugby Football League, who say they still consider Cooke to be a Hull FC player.

Now both clubs say the matter is in the hands of their lawyers, although Rovers coach Justin Morgan has left a place open in his 20-man squad for Friday's game against Huddersfield in case the signing goes through.

Now Rovers are in Super League he wants to follow his heart and he shouldn't be knocked for that

Roger Millward

Whatever happens, the controversy has divided opinion in Hull.

Johnny Whiteley, who made 472 appearances for Hull before going on to coach Rovers, described the saga as a "sad day" for the city.

But Millward feels reaction has been over the top.

"This is not the first time someone has switched between the two teams. We have seen all this before with Paul Rose, Flash Flanagan and the great Clive Sullivan," he said.

"He (Cooke) is an east Hull lad who had massive ambitions and wanted to play Super League rugby when he was a lad and, as nobody else in the area offered that, he signed for Hull.

"Now Rovers are in Super League he wants to follow his heart and he shouldn't be knocked for that."

Cooke is Hull FC's joint longest-serving player, alongside Richard Horne, and has amassed 798 points from 221 appearances in his nine seasons with the club.

He has been their leading scorer in each of the last three years and was the hero of their 2005 Challenge Cup triumph over Leeds with the late match-winning try.