Born: Guildford, 7 December 1912
Died: Bedford, 9 June 1985
Position: Centre forward
International caps: 1
International goals: 0
Signed: 21 October 1936 from Crystal Palace (£300)
Fulham debut: Fulham 5-0 West Ham United, 7 November 1936
Fulham appearances: 110
Fulham goals: 78
Sold: 20 December 1946 to Arsenal (£1,000; player part-exchange)
The ruthless Ronnie Rooke was one of Fulham’s finest goalscorers. A bargain £300 signing from Crystal Palace by Jack Peart in October 1936, the clinical centre forward scored 78 goals in 110 games for Fulham. He hit a hat-trick on his Fulham debut at Craven Cottage against West Ham in November 1936 and scored all six goals in a 6-0 win over Bury in the FA Cup in January 1936. Rook scored a remarkable 27 goals in the 1938/39 campaign but saw his best form lost during the Second World War. He scored a remarkable 212 golas in 1999 wartime matches whilst serving for the RAF before being mysteriously transferred to Arsenal for £1,000 plus Dave Nelson and Cyril Grant in December 1946.
