Born in East Ham, Cockle joined his local Second Division club Clapton Orient after the Great War.
After dipping into non-league with Margate Town and Maidstone United, Cockle signed for Arsenal at the start of the 1923 season,[1] but failed to make an appearance despite being a prolific goalscorer for the reserves.
They were signed by manager Bob Hewison due to the injury of record goalscorer at the time, William Lockett.
[3] He played every game in the 1925–26 season, which started in great fashion, scoring all 4 goals in a 4–3 win against Brentford at Griffin Park.
Cockle continued as a regular goalscorer, including leading the overall scoring charts the following year, but lost his place from the start of the 1927–28 season before transferring to Wigan Borough in June 1928.