Born in Wolverhampton, Cocker began his career in the youth team of
Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1956, playing in their
1958 FA Youth Cup triumph. He turned professional in Summer 1958 and eventually made his senior debut on 4 February 1961 in a 2–1 defeat at
Blackburn Rovers. This turned out to be his only appearance for Wolves' first team and he was released at the end of the season. He joined local non-league side
Wellington Town immediately after, playing in over 200 games during the 1960–61 season. After breaking a
collar bone, he left and relocated to
South Africa in February 1966 for a two-and-a-half-year spell with the Arcadia Shepherds, in which he was the club's top scorer. He then returned to England when he signed on with
Hereford United. In 1969, he appeared as a substitute for
Kidderminster Harriers in an FA Cup tie against
Telford United at the latter's Bucks Head ground. ==References==