PAUL COOKSON-POET

PAUL COOKSON – POET, PERFORMER AND NATIONAL READING HERO. He lives in Retford and has published as a poet since 1989, visiting schools, entertaining pupils, teachers and parents. He is the Poet in Residence for the National Football Museum. He was nominated as a National Reading Hero, receiving his reward at 10 Downing Street. He has worked in a multitude of countries from Argentina to Singapore and appeared on Match of the Day, Sky Sports and CBBC to name a few. Subjects include Brian Labone, Dixie Dean, Howard Kendall, Neville Southall, Joe Royle and performed them at Everton FC's official events. His poem about Brian Labone was read by Ian Callaghan at his funeral and has appeared in the Everton match day programme. Bill Kenwright read a poem about Dave Hickson at his memorial service.

His poem "Let no-one steal your dreams" has been adopted by numerous schools as their school motto, leavers' poems and mission statements. He has coordinated a poetry exhibition for the National Football Museum, including a set of commemorative poems for the England 1966 World Cup squad. He has also met a number of the squad and written poems about them.

he has sold well over three quarters of a million books and his poems feature in over two hundred other books; The Truth About Teachers, I'd Rather Be a Footballer, Give us a Goal, The Truth About Parents, The World Cup at our Feet and The Works, that has sold over 200,00 copies.

"Paul Cookson is my favourite poet"- Joe Royle.    http://paulcooksonpoet.co.uk/biography