PLYMOUTH Argyle Ladies have moved quickly to replace secretary Andrew Bellamy by appointing Scott Cooksley.

Cooksley stood down from his role as football secretary and welfare officer of Saltash United at their recent AGM and is fully committed to Argyle Ladies.

The 25-year-old, who is a business administrator for a Pub Holding Company based in Estover and lives in Wembury, replaces Bellamy, who stood down after four years at the helm.

Bellamy will be a hard act to follow and the club would like to thank him for his terrific service he gave to the club.

Cooksley will be assisted by Matt Gilmore, who is currently secretary of Plymouth Marjon FC.

Cooksley, who once said his ambition was to be involved with a professional football club, has now got his foot on the ladder and is relishing the challenge.

He started his quest in March 2017 with a week’s work experience with the Plymouth Argyle FC media department.

The following month he had another week’s work experience with Southampton FC (learning about Media, Ticketing, Marketing, Foundation, Commercial, Retail) as part of Barclays LifeSkills’ ‘Work experience of a lifetime’ campaign.

Cooksley joined Saltash United in August 2017 as Media Manager.

The following May he was appointed Football Secretary.

In January last year, he started studying BA Honours Business Management (Sport & Football) run by the Open University and EFL Trust, and in September was appointed Club Welfare Officer at Saltash United (as well as Football Secretary).

In January, Cooksley was invited to be a volunteer at UEFA Euro 2020 (now in 2021) as part of the Wembley Stadium ticketing team and in March attended independent member disciplinary panel training – so he could assist Cornwall FA as an independent panel member on disciplinary hearings.

Cooksley had been busy during lockdown – studying numerous courses.

In May, he formed Saltash United Women who have been affiliated into the Cornwall Women’s League.

The following month he was appointed as club representative onto the South West Peninsula League board, and this month he was offered the opportunity to join PALFC.

Asked why he applied for the position, Cooksley said: ‘It is a fantastic opportunity to become part of the biggest women’s football club in this corner of the country – affiliated to the club I am a supporter of.

‘I have really grown to love women’s football in recent years and I am delighted to see its reputation growing fourfold.

‘I wish to further my football admin/operations experience within such a professional environment.’

He added: ‘My aim and ambition is to work within the football industry within a football administration/operational capacity and to successfully complete my degree over the next four years.’

He concluded: ‘I hope to build on the great work that has been done over the last few years to bring the club to where it is today.

‘I hope to help with the club’s progress towards its own targets of where it should be competing.

‘I am also looking forward to working with Matthew (Gilmore) to ensure best possible practices within PALFC.’

Cooksley was given a massive stamp of approval from Saltash United manager Dane Bunney, who said: ‘Scott was instrumental in the creation of AshesTV/AshesMedia and has developed his skills which made him one of the best secretary/administrators around.’by Dave Potham