From Farnham Town To The Villa: The Story of Harry Cooksley

From Farnham Town To The Villa: The Story of Harry Cooksley

The journey of Harry Cooksley is one of the most unique stories to come out of English non-league football in recent years.

Once known for pulling the strings in midfield for Farnham Town, the Surrey-born footballer has now captured national attention by finishing as runner-up on Series 12 of ITV2's Love Island with his partner, Shakira Khan.

This friendly face was back at The Mem yesterday 🏝️ @harrycooksley8 pic.twitter.com/MGdDrERITI

— Farnham Town FC (@FarnhamTownFC) August 24, 2025

On The Pitch

Cooksley’s football career began at Reading FC when he was a youngster, before he moved on to the Queen's Park Rangers academy at age 16.

Upon his release from Loftus Road, Cooksley signed a professional deal with League Two side, Aldershot Town.

In 2013, Aldershot were on the verge of administration following relegation, and during this tumultuous period, Cooksley left the club.

He then took his footballing abilities abroad, firstly via college football in the USA for four years, until returning to Europe in 2018 to ply his trade in both Spain and Austria.

Most recently he has enjoyed a fruitful period within the English non-league pyramid, with Farnham Town.

Cooksley has been instrumental for Farnham and their two successive promotions since he joined in 2023.

Harry Cooksley's last 3 games:

Camberley (A): 1x ⚽️ | 1x 🅰️
Jersey (H): 1x ⚽️
Colliers Wood (A): 1x ⚽️

Total Season:

15 Goals ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
8 Assists 🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
13 Pre-Assists 🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️🅿️

Man in form @h_cooksley pic.twitter.com/RLMCIdGmmZ

— Farnham Town FC (@FarnhamTownFC) March 10, 2024

Although still signed for the club, Cooksley focus has now shifted to the world of reality TV.

Off The Pitch

Love Island is a popular show in England, that has a history of having former semi professional and professional footballers appear, and Cooksley is the latest.

The 30-year-old shocked fans with his decision to put his football on hold to go into the villa, but his recent growth and popularity increase may suggest that he made a good call for his career, whether that is still on the pitch remains to be seen.

🏝️ Two former English abroad are heading into the #LoveIsland villa.

1️⃣ Harry Cooksley
Now of Farnham Town, the midfielder has played in America, Spain and Austria.

2️⃣ Dejon Noel-Williams
Born and raised in England but a Grenada international, the son of Watford hero Gifton… pic.twitter.com/eYd87hMy1G

— English Players Abroad (@EnglishAbroad1) June 3, 2025

Making the Love Island Final

Few could have predicted how far he would go. Over the course of the series, Cooksley divided viewers with his antics in the villa. The Guildford-born footballer "re-coupled" on seven separate occasions, leaving Shakira for air stewardess Helena Ford two times, and vice versa a further three, eventually settling - and staying- with the former until the conclusion of their time in the villa.

Some fans disliked Harry over the course of the series for his careless treatment of the women in the villa, whilst others held him in high regard for his humorous moments, charismatic character and his overall provision of "good TV".

The pair went all the way to the final, eventually finishing as runners-up — a remarkable achievement that has placed Cooksley in the national spotlight.

The Love Island Series 12 Finals voting figures have been revealed:

1. Toni and Cach - 33.5%
2. Shakira and Harry - 26.2%
3. Yasmin and Jamie - 22%
4. Angel and Ty - 18.3%#LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/VNtB174Pqj

— Sana (@sanaravishing) August 5, 2025

Public Response

For Farnham Town supporters and the wider non-league community, Cooksley’s rise has been a source of pride and intrigue. England's non-league pyramid still retains a lot of its traditional roots, so players hanging up their boots to go on a dating show was bound to raise some eyebrows.

While others may know him now as a reality TV star, many in Surrey remember him fondly as a talented footballer who represented their club with enthusiasm.

His journey proves that players, particularly in non-league where they do not make enough money to retire from, have other avenues available in this new social media world.