Walter Charles Cook was born in in Midsomer Norton, Somerset on 1 July 1894. The 1911 Census records the 16-year-old Cook employed as a pony driver underground. He enlisted in the Cameronians in 1915, served in France, and was discharged in 1917 as physically unfit for military service. His discharge papers described him as a “sober, honest and diligent soldier, discharged on account of a wound sustained in action.” He married Beatrice Haley in March 1918, and gave his occupation as miner.
Walter played for Leeds City immediately after the First World War, but had left the club for Midland League club Castleford Town before the Football League resumed. Walter moved on to Plymouth Argyle in May 1920 as backup to the long-serving Fred Craig. Walter eventually made his Football League debut in December 1921, but played just seven matches before joining Brighton & Hove Albion another in 1924 for a £400 fee.
He was a first-team regular during his first season with Albion, but was displaced by Stan Webb in his second and left the club. He joined Darlington on a month’s trial later that year, but did not make a first-team appearance. He played nine matches in the Third Division North and two in the FA Cup for Stockport County during the first half of the 1928–29 season, before finishing his career in non-league football with Harrogate.