Philip Cookson (born 2 February 1951) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Leeds, as a .
Phil Cookson was born in Featherstone, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.
Cookson was an unused substitute in Leeds' 7-24 defeat by Leigh in the 1971 Challenge Cup Final during the 1970âÂÂ71 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 15 May 1971, in front of a crowd of 85,514, played right- in the 13-16 defeat by St. Helens in the 1972 Challenge Cup Final during the 1971âÂÂ72 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1972, in front of a crowd of 89,495, played right- in the 16-7 victory over Widnes in the 1977 Challenge Cup Final during the 1976âÂÂ77 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 7 May 1977, in front of a crowd of 80,871, and played right-, and with five minutes remaining scored a try in the 14-12 victory over St. Helens in the 1978 Challenge Cup Final during the 1977âÂÂ78 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1978, in front of a crowd of 96,000.
Cookson played right- in Leeds' 23-7 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1970 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1970âÂÂ71 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 21 November 1970, played left- in the 36-9 victory over Dewsbury in the 1972 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1972âÂÂ73 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 7 October 1972, played right- in the 7-2 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1973 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1973âÂÂ74 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 20 October 1973, played in the 15-11 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1975 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1975âÂÂ76 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 15 November 1975, played in the 16-12 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1976 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1976âÂÂ77 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 16 October 1976, played in the 15-6 victory over Halifax in the 1979 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1979âÂÂ80 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 27 October 1979, and played right- (replaced by substitute Carrol) in the 8-7 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1980 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1980âÂÂ81 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 8 November 1980.
Cookson played right- in Leeds' 12-7 victory over Salford in the 1972âÂÂ73 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1972âÂÂ73 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 24 March 1973.
Cookson's Testimonial match at Leeds took place in the 1978/79 season.
Cookson scored a try on his début for Leeds, as did fellow débutant Graham Eccles, against Bradford Northern on Saturday 19 April 1969.
Cookson won caps for England while at Leeds in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against New Zealand, and Australia, and in 1975 against Papua New Guinea (non-Test).