The scout who first saw the potential in Wakefield's finest ever footballers will feature in a new book about his incredible career.

Mark Crook ran a feeder team for Wolves in his native South Yorkshire between 1939-70.

It was from that base where he oversaw a large-scale operation to unearth the best hidden gems for Wolves after he had run the rule over them.

Wakefield was a natural hunting ground for Crook and he was the man who first trialled Fitzwilliam brothers Cyril and Peter Knowles and Brotherton's Terry Cooper.

All three of them were sent for trials at Molineux by Crook but only the youngest, Peter, was taken on.

Instead Cyril found his way into the game at Middlesbrough before becoming a legend at Tottenham Hotspur.

Cooper had to fight his way into the pro game and eventually broke through at Leeds United.

Both those players proved Crook's predictions right by going on to make the England team and establishing hero status at their respective clubs.

Peter, a talismanic figure at Wolves, would surely have joined them in the England squad, but he turned to religion in 1969 and never returned to the game.

Walton-born striker Jimmy Seal was another of Crook's finds and he enjoyed a successful career after establishing himself at Barnsley FC after being taken on by Wolves.

Seal is fondly remembered at York City where he scored regularly.

Many other players from the Wakefield district would have travelled south to play for Crook's Wolves Juniors/Wath Wanderers outfits throughout his spell.

The full story of Crook's astonishing success, which saw him unearth 114 professional footballers, is being told in a book by Barnsley Chronicle journalist Ashley Ball.

Ashley said: "Wakefield was not far from Crook's home in Wath-upon-Dearne and he would have seen it as his duty to go there and nab players away from the likes of Leeds United and Huddersfield Town.

"He went much further afield than Wakefield in his search for the best players but he certainly enjoyed a great deal of success there.

"Cyril's son has given a fantastic interview for the book, as has Jimmy Seal and I think they and others have helped to tell the story of what is one of English football's great untold ones.

"Mark's achievements are unprecedented and the book will appeal to football fans of a certain age and those who have an interest in the history of the beautiful game."

The book, Feeding The Wolves, is not-for-profit with all the proceeds being split between Brampton United JFC and the Wolves Foundation.

It's available at the early-bird price of £12 until September 30 and can either be bought in cash from the Barnsley Chronicle's front shop on Church Street, Barnsley, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10am-2pm or online through visiting: https://dondearneschoolfootball.wordpress.com/mark-crooks-wath-wolves/

The book will be ready in early December.

Anyone who knew Mark from the Wakefield area or played through him can get in touch with Ashley through calling 01226 734296.