Andy Cole
Encyclopedia
Andrew Alexander Cole is a retired English footballer. He is most well known by the name Andy Cole (by which he was universally known in the 1990s), but in 2000, he reputedly asked to be known as Andrew Cole. In a MUTV programme about his career, Andrew Cole - Driven' aired on September 18th 2011, he referred to this and stated that a reporter had asked him what his parents called him, to which he replied Andrew.He stated that the media then made it appear as though he was demanding to be called Andrew from that moment. He currently works as a forwards coach at Huddersfield Town
under his former Newcastle United
and Fulham
team-mate Lee Clark.
A former England international, Cole is the second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history; in his career, Cole has scored a total of 187 Premier League goals, placing him behind Alan Shearer
who has 260 goals. Cole has the distinction of being one of the few players in England to have swept all possible honours in the English game, including the PFA Young Player of the Year
award, as well as the coveted UEFA Champions League
title. Cole was also capped fifteen times for England between 1995 and 2001, scoring once, against Albania in a World Cup Qualifier. He announced his retirement from football on 11 November 2008.
on leaving school in 1988, signing professional in 1989. He made his only league appearance for Arsenal, aged 19, as a substitute against Sheffield United
at Bramall Lane
during a First Division
game on 29 December 1990; Arsenal won 4–1 but Cole did not score. He also made a substitute appearance against Tottenham Hotspur in the Charity Shield in 1991 and almost made an immediate impact, hitting the side netting from outside the area.
The following season he was loaned to Fulham in the Third Division, where he scored three goals in 13 games, before being sold to Second Division Bristol City
in a £
500,000 deal – at the time he was the Ashton Gate
club's most expensively signed player.
Having proved himself as a competent young goalscorer with Bristol City (who began the 1992–93 season in the new Football League Division One
following the creation of the Premier League), Cole was quickly one of the hottest prospects in England and his name was regularly linked with Premier League
clubs throughout the 1992–93 season.
splashed out a then club record £1.75 million for his services. He then scored 12 goals in as many league games as the Magpies cruised to the Division One title and won promotion to the Premier League. His 12 goals included two hat-tricks, the first against Barnsley
on 7 April, the second on the final day of the season in a 7–1 hammering of Leicester City
.He also scored the first of the club's two goals in their 2-0 promotion clinching win over Grimsby Town
at Blundell Park
on 4 May.
After David Kelly
was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers
, manager Kevin Keegan
brought in Peter Beardsley
as Cole's strike partner for the 1993–94 Premier League campaign.
Cole scored 34 goals in 40 games during Newcastle's first Premier League season as they finished third and qualified for the UEFA Cup
. Cole scored a total of 41 goals in all competitions – breaking the club's goalscoring record which had been set by Hughie Gallacher
nearly 70 years earlier (Gallacher still holds the record for the highest number of league goals in a season with 36). His first top division goal was in a 1–1 draw against defending league champions Manchester United (who went on to win the double) at Old Trafford on 21 August. This was Newcastle's first goal in the Premier League.
Exactly three months later, he scored all three goals as the Magpies crushed Liverpool
3–0 at home. Another hat-trick followed against Coventry City
in late February and with Peter Beardsley
almost as lethal as his strike partner, the Magpies finished third in the league and qualified for the UEFA Cup
for the first time since the 1970s. Cole was subsequently voted PFA Young Player of the Year
for that season.
Cole then scored nine Premier League goals in 18 games for Newcastle after the start of the 1994–95 season, and also scored a hat-trick
against Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Cup.
In all, Cole hit 68 goals in 84 games for Newcastle giving him a strike rate of 81%. In terms of goals per game for Newcastle, only Hughie Gallacher has a better record. His last goal for the Magpies came in the 1–1 home draw with Ipswich Town
on 26 November 1994.
for a deal worth £7 million – £6 million cash plus £1 million-rated Keith Gillespie
going in the opposite direction, setting a new record for the most expensive British transfer.
Despite joining halfway through the 1994–95 season, Cole still managed to score 12 goals in just 18 Premier League games for United. This included his first, the winner in a 1–0 victory over Aston Villa
on 4 February at Old Trafford
and five in the 9–0 rout
of Ipswich Town
; making him the first player to score five goals in a Premier League game.
However, he missed two goal chances in the final minutes against West Ham United
on the final day of the season as they could only manage a 1–1 draw and the league title went to Blackburn Rovers instead
. He was cup-tied
for the FA Cup Final a week later. Without him, United lost to Everton
1–0. United were also without the banned Eric Cantona
and the injured Andrei Kanchelskis
, the club's two other highest scoring players that season.
His first full season in 1995–96 with Manchester United proved to be difficult, as Cole struggled to find his trademark form in a side now built around the much heralded return of Eric Cantona
. Though Cole scored in four successive games during the winter, including an important opening goal in United's 2–0 defeat of title rivals Newcastle United on 27 December, Cole was badgered by fans and critics alike across much of the season for only scoring 14 times and missing many chances. However, Cole picked up his form in the business end of the season and scored critical goals including the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea
to send United to Wembley
again. He then collected his first Premier League title winners medal and scored the second goal in United's 3–0 defeat of Middlesbrough on the final day of the season to help United win the Premier League title for the third time in four years. He also played in their FA Cup final victory to become part of England's first ever side to win the double twice.
Before the 1996–97 season began, Cole had to deal with being offered to Blackburn Rovers as part-exchange in a £12 million deal that would have brought Alan Shearer
to Old Trafford
but the offer was turned down and Shearer opted for Newcastle instead. Despite Alex Ferguson
's clear indication to Cole that he was looking for another striker, after the Shearer deal fell through, Cole fought to stay at the club and was handed the number 9 shirt
(having previously worn 17). The arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjær
– and being the victim of two broken legs suffered after a malicious tackle by Neil Ruddock
in a reserve game against Liverpool
, restricted Cole's first-team chances further. However, Cole managed to recover by December that year, and still play in 20 Premier League games (10 as a substitute) for the season. Cole then ended the season strongly with several crucial goals in both the league (such as away at title rivals Arsenal), and in the UEFA Champions League
(where he scored a goal voted the season's best European goal against Porto) to complete his comeback from injury. Cole then scored the title sealing goal in a landmark 3–1 win for United at Anfield
– the scene of his broken legs just half a season earlier – against Roy Evans
' "Spice Boys
" Liverpool team and thereby aiding United in winning their fourth title in five years, with Cole winning another Premier League title medal.
For the 1997–98 season, the retirement of Eric Cantona
saw Cole emerge as first choice striker once again, and he discovered his best form ever for the club, becoming the joint top goalscorer in the Premier League during the course of the season with 18 goals, including a slew of spectacular goals – one of which, a chip against Everton
, had the fans' vote as the Manchester United goal of the season. Cole also developed a strong partnership with Teddy Sheringham
(despite considerable personal friction between the two), but United finished trophyless for only the second time in nine seasons as they lost to Arsenal
in the end. Cole achieved several personal landmarks in this campaign, scoring his first European hat-trick for the club in an away match at Feyenoord, as well as ending the season as runner-up in the PFA Players' Player of the Year
award to Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp
. Despite this accreditation, and being the leading goalscorer in all competitions that season with 25, Cole was omitted from England's 1998 World Cup squad by then-manager Glenn Hoddle
. Cole remained upbeat when interviewed and when asked about his new found return to success, Cole claimed that he had found freedom in his life after the injuries of the previous season, saying he had great joy with his newborn son, and lived for him and his family in his faith as a Born again Christian
. He also claimed the friendship of Ryan Giggs
, his room-mate on away games, was a major motivating factor through the tough times when fans doubted him at United.
Cole faced competition from new signing Dwight Yorke
, Teddy Sheringham
and Ole Gunnar Solskjær
during the 1998–99 season but ended up developing an immensely successful partnership with Yorke. Cole and Yorke contributed 53 goals between them and were rated as one of the most feared attacking partnerships in Europe, with the pair scoring against sides like Barcelona
away at the Nou Camp, and repeating the form all season with incredible one touch passes and assists that at times seemed to demonstrate a telepathic understanding. Cole played a key role in the side's unique treble of the Premier League title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. Cole scored the winning goal in United's final Premier League game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur
, a result which meant United finished one point ahead of rivals Arsenal to win the Premier League title. He also scored United's third and winning goal in their Champions League
semi-final second leg against Juventus
, sealing their place in the final for the first time in over 30 years. Also in this season, Cole scored his 100th Premier League goal in a top of the table clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 17 February; the match ended 1–1.
During United's pre-season tour of Australia in July 1999, Cole was involved in a horror tackle which left 19 year old Australian defender Simon Colosimo
sidelined for six months and requiring a complete knee reconstruction. Before the injury Colosimo was one of Australia's best young players and was about to make a big money move to Europe, and was never able to complete a career in Europe, despite a handful of appearances for Manchester City
.
Cole was United's top scorer again in 1999–2000 with 19 goals in 28 Premier League games. He collected his fourth Premier League title medal in five seasons, and scored over 20 goals in all competitions for the third successive season. Cole scored many goals for United including the only goal of the game in their top of the table clash against their closest rivals Leeds United. He also joined an elite group during this season by scoring his 100th goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Wimbledon
.
Another title followed in 2000–01 when, despite suffering from an injury that restricted his appearances, Cole scored 13 goals in all competitions, including four in the European Cup allowing him at the time to become Manchester United's record goal scorer in European competition of all time.
The following 2001-02 season
saw Cole face competition from new signing Ruud Van Nistelrooy
as well as Dwight Yorke
, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and also Paul Scholes
for places up front, with Ferguson adopting a more conservative approach especially in European games by playing Scholes behind Van Nistelrooy with Roy Keane
and Juan Sebastian Veron
in a 3 man midfield. Despite this, Cole did manage to score 7 goals before leaving for Blackburn after falling behind the partnership of Van Nistelrooy and Yorke, and then Van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer, forcing him into a "super sub" role.
Cole made one last appearance for Manchester United in the UEFA Celebration Match
six years later, on 13 March 2007, coming on at half time for a friendly game between Manchester United and European XI in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the European Community and 50 years of Manchester United in the European Cup
.
and Juan Sebastián Verón
counted against Cole's first-team chances in the 2001–02 season, and on 29 December 2001 Cole was sold to Blackburn Rovers for £8 million. Within two months of arriving he had collected a League Cup
winners medal, scoring the winning goal for Blackburn in the final against Tottenham Hotspur who were managed by the former England manager and open critic of Cole, Glenn Hoddle. This victory meant that, in the space of seven seasons, Cole had won all three domestic trophies plus a European trophy. Cole ended the season with a total of 18 goals in all competitions, 5 for Manchester United and 13 in just 20 games for Blackburn.
Rovers finished sixth the following season and qualified for the UEFA Cup
. That campaign saw Cole reunited with Dwight Yorke
, who had signed for Blackburn from Manchester United for £2 million in July 2002.
Cole had a frustrating season in 2003–04 as Rovers slid into the bottom half of the Premier League finishing 15th. Cole netted 11 goals but his relationship with manager Graeme Souness hit rock bottom after Cole reported him to the PFA accusing him of unfair treatment. Cole scored 37 goals in 100 appearances in all competitions for Blackburn
for the 2004–05 season joining them on a one-year contract. He was the club's top scorer and scored one of the goals of the season against Liverpool. Despite this successful period at Fulham he decided to leave the club after only one season as his family wanted to return to the North West
.
Cole signed for Manchester City
on a free transfer at the beginning of the 2005–06 season, and enjoyed a good start to his career at Eastlands
. Stuart Pearce
's side's spent most of the season in the top half of the table but Cole's season was ended by injury in March.
Despite signing a new contract with Manchester City only months earlier and leaving Fulham in 2005 to return to the north
, Cole signed for south coast club Portsmouth
on transfer deadline day (31 August 2006) for an undisclosed fee expected to rise to £1 million depending on appearances. He scored his first league goal for his new club in the 2–0 win at home to West Ham on 14 October 2006. However, Cole struggled to break into Harry Redknapp
's side and in March 2007 he signed on loan for Birmingham City
of the Championship until the end of the season. Cole returned to Portsmouth after five appearances and one goal (against Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Birmingham. He was released on 3 August 2007.
After being released by Portsmouth at the end of the 2006–07 season, Cole signed a one year contract with Sunderland
on a free transfer, reuniting him with former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers strike partner Dwight Yorke
, and under the management of former United team-mate Roy Keane
. After seven games for the club he was loaned out to Burnley
and was released at the end of the 2007–08 Premier League season.
On 4 July 2008, Cole signed a 12-month deal with Nottingham Forest, his 12th club, and hometown club from childhood. However, on 31 October 2008, Forest confirmed that Cole's contract had been cancelled by mutual consent, after eleven appearances and no goals.
On 11 November 2008, Cole announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to a 19-year career.
in 1995, he had earned only 15 caps
by the time he announced his retirement from international football after failing to be selected for the 2002 World Cup
squad. He scored one goal for England, in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania
in March 2001. He also scored in his single appearance for the England B
team.
Glenn Hoddle
, in defence of his decision not to select Cole for the World Cup in 1998, accused Cole of needing six or seven chances to score one goal.
Injury just prior to Euro 2000 led to Cole missing out on another major competition for his country.
Cole earned his first four caps under four different managers. He made his debut against Uruguay
under Terry Venables
in 1995, appeared next against Italy
under Glenn Hoddle
at the Tournoi de France
in 1997, made his third appearance against France
under caretaker Howard Wilkinson
in 1999 and finally earned his fourth cap against Poland
under new manager Kevin Keegan
in his first starting appearance a few weeks later.
and England
team-mate, Milton Keynes Dons
manager Paul Ince
, to coach the club's forwards on an initially temporary basis. However, a week later, Cole agreed to spend at least two days a week working on finishing with the forwards at Huddersfield Town
, under his former Newcastle United
and Fulham
team-mate Lee Clark.
In December 2010, Cole was back at Manchester United, working at the Carrington training ground while finishing his coaching badges.
", a cover of the 1982 song of the same name, which peaked below the UK Top 40.
Cole married his long time girlfriend
Shirley Dewar in July 2002 on the same day that Steve McManaman
got married. They have a son called Devante, who is attached to Manchester City, and they live in the North West, as neighbours of Rio Ferdinand
.
In 2008, Cole was quizzed by police
after an alleged assault
on his wife in their Alderley Edge
home in Cheshire
before being released on bail
. Six months later, Cole, through his representative law firm
, Schillings
, won damages
in an action against media giants Express Newspapers
, which owns the Daily Star for defamation regarding the publication of material concerning the assault allegations and for harms caused against his family by sensationalist reports.
and returned to set up his own charity
foundation called the "Andy Cole Children's Foundation" which helped AIDS
orphans in Zimbabwe
. The charity was registered with the Charity Commission
in the United Kingdom under number 1079911. The charity has since been rebranded as All Star Kids, as Cole is no longer involved.
In June 2011 Cole visited Tanzania and was involved in promoting soccer at a local school in Dar es salaam. The visit was organized by a telecom company Airtel.
Newcastle United
Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers
name-checked Cole on their 1996 B-side "Do You Believe In Me?". The lyrics include the line "I'm Andy Cole's tortured soul, missed out again in front of goal."
considered Cole to be the player he most enjoyed playing against. In a candid interview with Talksport, he jokingly referred to the incident that resulted in Cole suffering two broken legs in 1997 as "not big, and not clever", adding "but it was great", and that "I didn't mean to break both of his legs if I'm honest, I only meant to break one".
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
under his former Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
team-mate Lee Clark.
A former England international, Cole is the second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history; in his career, Cole has scored a total of 187 Premier League goals, placing him behind Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
who has 260 goals. Cole has the distinction of being one of the few players in England to have swept all possible honours in the English game, including the PFA Young Player of the Year
PFA Young Player of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player aged 23 or under at the start of the season who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football...
award, as well as the coveted UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
title. Cole was also capped fifteen times for England between 1995 and 2001, scoring once, against Albania in a World Cup Qualifier. He announced his retirement from football on 11 November 2008.
Early career
Cole started his career as a youth player for ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
on leaving school in 1988, signing professional in 1989. He made his only league appearance for Arsenal, aged 19, as a substitute against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
during a First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
game on 29 December 1990; Arsenal won 4–1 but Cole did not score. He also made a substitute appearance against Tottenham Hotspur in the Charity Shield in 1991 and almost made an immediate impact, hitting the side netting from outside the area.
The following season he was loaned to Fulham in the Third Division, where he scored three goals in 13 games, before being sold to Second Division Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
in a £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
500,000 deal – at the time he was the Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average...
club's most expensively signed player.
Having proved himself as a competent young goalscorer with Bristol City (who began the 1992–93 season in the new Football League Division One
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
following the creation of the Premier League), Cole was quickly one of the hottest prospects in England and his name was regularly linked with Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
clubs throughout the 1992–93 season.
Newcastle United
In February 1993, Division One leaders Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
splashed out a then club record £1.75 million for his services. He then scored 12 goals in as many league games as the Magpies cruised to the Division One title and won promotion to the Premier League. His 12 goals included two hat-tricks, the first against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
on 7 April, the second on the final day of the season in a 7–1 hammering of Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
.He also scored the first of the club's two goals in their 2-0 promotion clinching win over Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
at Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
on 4 May.
After David Kelly
David Kelly (footballer)
David Thomas Kelly is a retired footballer and former assistant manager of Nottingham Forest. As a child, Kelly suffered from Perthes Disease, but recovered to forge a long and successful career in professional football.-Playing career:Kelly turned out for Walsall, West Ham United, Leicester City,...
was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, manager Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
brought in Peter Beardsley
Peter Beardsley
Peter Andrew Beardsley MBE is an English former footballer who played between 1979 and 1999. He once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times between 1986 and 1996, once as captain...
as Cole's strike partner for the 1993–94 Premier League campaign.
Cole scored 34 goals in 40 games during Newcastle's first Premier League season as they finished third and qualified for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. Cole scored a total of 41 goals in all competitions – breaking the club's goalscoring record which had been set by Hughie Gallacher
Hughie Gallacher
Hugh Kilpatrick "Hughie" Gallacher was a Scottish football player in the 1920s and 1930s. In 624 senior games, Gallacher scored 463 times....
nearly 70 years earlier (Gallacher still holds the record for the highest number of league goals in a season with 36). His first top division goal was in a 1–1 draw against defending league champions Manchester United (who went on to win the double) at Old Trafford on 21 August. This was Newcastle's first goal in the Premier League.
Exactly three months later, he scored all three goals as the Magpies crushed Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
3–0 at home. Another hat-trick followed against Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in late February and with Peter Beardsley
Peter Beardsley
Peter Andrew Beardsley MBE is an English former footballer who played between 1979 and 1999. He once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times between 1986 and 1996, once as captain...
almost as lethal as his strike partner, the Magpies finished third in the league and qualified for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
for the first time since the 1970s. Cole was subsequently voted PFA Young Player of the Year
PFA Young Player of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player aged 23 or under at the start of the season who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football...
for that season.
Cole then scored nine Premier League goals in 18 games for Newcastle after the start of the 1994–95 season, and also scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
against Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Cup.
In all, Cole hit 68 goals in 84 games for Newcastle giving him a strike rate of 81%. In terms of goals per game for Newcastle, only Hughie Gallacher has a better record. His last goal for the Magpies came in the 1–1 home draw with Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
on 26 November 1994.
Manchester United
On 10 January 1995, Cole was suddenly sold in a shock deal to Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
for a deal worth £7 million – £6 million cash plus £1 million-rated Keith Gillespie
Keith Gillespie
Keith Robert Gillespie is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays in midfield for Longford Town....
going in the opposite direction, setting a new record for the most expensive British transfer.
Despite joining halfway through the 1994–95 season, Cole still managed to score 12 goals in just 18 Premier League games for United. This included his first, the winner in a 1–0 victory over Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 4 February at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
and five in the 9–0 rout
Manchester United F.C. 9–0 Ipswich Town F.C.
The 1994–95 season match between Manchester United and Ipswich Town at Old Trafford took place on 4 March 1995. The two teams went into the match at opposite ends of the table, although Ipswich had beaten United earlier in the season 3–2 at Portman Road...
of Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
; making him the first player to score five goals in a Premier League game.
However, he missed two goal chances in the final minutes against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
on the final day of the season as they could only manage a 1–1 draw and the league title went to Blackburn Rovers instead
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. He was cup-tied
Cup-tied
Cup-tied is an adjective, used primarily in association football, to describe a player who is ineligible to play in a knockout cup competition after transferring from another club during that competition.-Application:...
for the FA Cup Final a week later. Without him, United lost to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
1–0. United were also without the banned Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
and the injured Andrei Kanchelskis
Andrei Kanchelskis
Andrei Antanasovich Kanchelskis is a Ukrainian-born Russian football manager and former association footballer who played as a right winger. Kanchelskis is the only player in history to have scored in each of the Glasgow, Merseyside and Manchester local derbies.Currently, he is managing FC...
, the club's two other highest scoring players that season.
His first full season in 1995–96 with Manchester United proved to be difficult, as Cole struggled to find his trademark form in a side now built around the much heralded return of Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
. Though Cole scored in four successive games during the winter, including an important opening goal in United's 2–0 defeat of title rivals Newcastle United on 27 December, Cole was badgered by fans and critics alike across much of the season for only scoring 14 times and missing many chances. However, Cole picked up his form in the business end of the season and scored critical goals including the winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
to send United to Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
again. He then collected his first Premier League title winners medal and scored the second goal in United's 3–0 defeat of Middlesbrough on the final day of the season to help United win the Premier League title for the third time in four years. He also played in their FA Cup final victory to become part of England's first ever side to win the double twice.
Before the 1996–97 season began, Cole had to deal with being offered to Blackburn Rovers as part-exchange in a £12 million deal that would have brought Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
to Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
but the offer was turned down and Shearer opted for Newcastle instead. Despite Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
's clear indication to Cole that he was looking for another striker, after the Shearer deal fell through, Cole fought to stay at the club and was handed the number 9 shirt
Squad number (association football)
As in other team sports, squad numbers are used in association football to identify and distinguish players on the field. Numbers were originally used to also indicate position, with starting players being assigned numbers 1-11, but most competitions and leagues now use squad numbers.-First use of...
(having previously worn 17). The arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is the manager of Norwegian first division side Molde. He is better known as a former footballer who spent most of his career playing for Manchester United. Often dubbed "the baby-faced assassin," he played 366 times for the Red Devils and scored 126 goals during a very...
– and being the victim of two broken legs suffered after a malicious tackle by Neil Ruddock
Neil Ruddock
Neil "Razor" Ruddock is a retired English footballer, who played as a central defender.He made his debut at Millwall , and he had a long career playing for Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Liverpool, West Ham, Crystal Palace, and finally a short-lived spell as a player/coach at Swindon Town Neil...
in a reserve game against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, restricted Cole's first-team chances further. However, Cole managed to recover by December that year, and still play in 20 Premier League games (10 as a substitute) for the season. Cole then ended the season strongly with several crucial goals in both the league (such as away at title rivals Arsenal), and in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(where he scored a goal voted the season's best European goal against Porto) to complete his comeback from injury. Cole then scored the title sealing goal in a landmark 3–1 win for United at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
– the scene of his broken legs just half a season earlier – against Roy Evans
Roy Evans
Roy Evans CBE was a Liverpool football player who eventually rose through the coaching ranks to become team manager.-Career:...
' "Spice Boys
Spice Boys (footballers)
The Spice Boys was a media term used to describe a group of Liverpool F.C. footballers in the mid-late 1990s, seen typically as being composed of Jamie Redknapp, David James, Phil Babb, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore and Jason McAteer...
" Liverpool team and thereby aiding United in winning their fourth title in five years, with Cole winning another Premier League title medal.
For the 1997–98 season, the retirement of Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
saw Cole emerge as first choice striker once again, and he discovered his best form ever for the club, becoming the joint top goalscorer in the Premier League during the course of the season with 18 goals, including a slew of spectacular goals – one of which, a chip against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, had the fans' vote as the Manchester United goal of the season. Cole also developed a strong partnership with Teddy Sheringham
Teddy Sheringham
Edward Paul "Teddy" Sheringham MBE is a retired English footballer, and the father of footballer Charlie Sheringham. Sheringham played as a striker, and had a successful career at the club level, winning almost every domestic honour available with his clubs, most notably the Treble with Manchester...
(despite considerable personal friction between the two), but United finished trophyless for only the second time in nine seasons as they lost to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the end. Cole achieved several personal landmarks in this campaign, scoring his first European hat-trick for the club in an away match at Feyenoord, as well as ending the season as runner-up in the PFA Players' Player of the Year
PFA Players' Player of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the year in English football...
award to Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Nicolaas Bergkamp , is a former Dutch professional footballer who is currently the assistant manager to Frank de Boer at Ajax. At club level he played for Ajax, Internazionale, and Arsenal, and also represented the Netherlands at international level...
. Despite this accreditation, and being the leading goalscorer in all competitions that season with 25, Cole was omitted from England's 1998 World Cup squad by then-manager Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
. Cole remained upbeat when interviewed and when asked about his new found return to success, Cole claimed that he had found freedom in his life after the injuries of the previous season, saying he had great joy with his newborn son, and lived for him and his family in his faith as a Born again Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
. He also claimed the friendship of Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
, his room-mate on away games, was a major motivating factor through the tough times when fans doubted him at United.
Cole faced competition from new signing Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
, Teddy Sheringham
Teddy Sheringham
Edward Paul "Teddy" Sheringham MBE is a retired English footballer, and the father of footballer Charlie Sheringham. Sheringham played as a striker, and had a successful career at the club level, winning almost every domestic honour available with his clubs, most notably the Treble with Manchester...
and Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Ole Gunnar Solskjær is the manager of Norwegian first division side Molde. He is better known as a former footballer who spent most of his career playing for Manchester United. Often dubbed "the baby-faced assassin," he played 366 times for the Red Devils and scored 126 goals during a very...
during the 1998–99 season but ended up developing an immensely successful partnership with Yorke. Cole and Yorke contributed 53 goals between them and were rated as one of the most feared attacking partnerships in Europe, with the pair scoring against sides like Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
away at the Nou Camp, and repeating the form all season with incredible one touch passes and assists that at times seemed to demonstrate a telepathic understanding. Cole played a key role in the side's unique treble of the Premier League title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. Cole scored the winning goal in United's final Premier League game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, a result which meant United finished one point ahead of rivals Arsenal to win the Premier League title. He also scored United's third and winning goal in their Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
semi-final second leg against Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
, sealing their place in the final for the first time in over 30 years. Also in this season, Cole scored his 100th Premier League goal in a top of the table clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 17 February; the match ended 1–1.
During United's pre-season tour of Australia in July 1999, Cole was involved in a horror tackle which left 19 year old Australian defender Simon Colosimo
Simon Colosimo
Simon Colosimo is an Australian football player who plays as a central defender for Melbourne Heart. He has represented the Australia national team on over twenty-five occasions.-Club career:...
sidelined for six months and requiring a complete knee reconstruction. Before the injury Colosimo was one of Australia's best young players and was about to make a big money move to Europe, and was never able to complete a career in Europe, despite a handful of appearances for Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
.
Cole was United's top scorer again in 1999–2000 with 19 goals in 28 Premier League games. He collected his fourth Premier League title medal in five seasons, and scored over 20 goals in all competitions for the third successive season. Cole scored many goals for United including the only goal of the game in their top of the table clash against their closest rivals Leeds United. He also joined an elite group during this season by scoring his 100th goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
.
Another title followed in 2000–01 when, despite suffering from an injury that restricted his appearances, Cole scored 13 goals in all competitions, including four in the European Cup allowing him at the time to become Manchester United's record goal scorer in European competition of all time.
The following 2001-02 season
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
saw Cole face competition from new signing Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooy, , is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Málaga CF in Spain's La Liga. He is the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals...
as well as Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and also Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being...
for places up front, with Ferguson adopting a more conservative approach especially in European games by playing Scholes behind Van Nistelrooy with Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
and Juan Sebastian Veron
Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón is an Argentinian professional football player who is the current captain and midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División....
in a 3 man midfield. Despite this, Cole did manage to score 7 goals before leaving for Blackburn after falling behind the partnership of Van Nistelrooy and Yorke, and then Van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer, forcing him into a "super sub" role.
Cole made one last appearance for Manchester United in the UEFA Celebration Match
UEFA Celebration Match
The UEFA Celebration Match, held on 13 March 2007, celebrated both the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which set the backbone for a united Europe, and the 50th year of Manchester United's participation in European competitions...
six years later, on 13 March 2007, coming on at half time for a friendly game between Manchester United and European XI in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the European Community and 50 years of Manchester United in the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Blackburn Rovers
The arrival of Ruud van NistelrooyRuud van Nistelrooy
Rutgerus Johannes Martinus "Ruud" van Nistelrooy, , is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Málaga CF in Spain's La Liga. He is the second-highest goalscorer in Champions League history with 60 goals...
and Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón
Juan Sebastián Verón is an Argentinian professional football player who is the current captain and midfielder for Estudiantes de La Plata in the Argentine Primera División....
counted against Cole's first-team chances in the 2001–02 season, and on 29 December 2001 Cole was sold to Blackburn Rovers for £8 million. Within two months of arriving he had collected a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
winners medal, scoring the winning goal for Blackburn in the final against Tottenham Hotspur who were managed by the former England manager and open critic of Cole, Glenn Hoddle. This victory meant that, in the space of seven seasons, Cole had won all three domestic trophies plus a European trophy. Cole ended the season with a total of 18 goals in all competitions, 5 for Manchester United and 13 in just 20 games for Blackburn.
Rovers finished sixth the following season and qualified for the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. That campaign saw Cole reunited with Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
, who had signed for Blackburn from Manchester United for £2 million in July 2002.
Cole had a frustrating season in 2003–04 as Rovers slid into the bottom half of the Premier League finishing 15th. Cole netted 11 goals but his relationship with manager Graeme Souness hit rock bottom after Cole reported him to the PFA accusing him of unfair treatment. Cole scored 37 goals in 100 appearances in all competitions for Blackburn
Later career and retirement
13 years after spending a month on loan at Fulham, Cole returned to Craven CottageCraven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
for the 2004–05 season joining them on a one-year contract. He was the club's top scorer and scored one of the goals of the season against Liverpool. Despite this successful period at Fulham he decided to leave the club after only one season as his family wanted to return to the North West
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
.
Cole signed for Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on a free transfer at the beginning of the 2005–06 season, and enjoyed a good start to his career at Eastlands
City of Manchester Stadium
The City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England – also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship purposes– is the home ground of...
. Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce OBE is an English football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of the England national under-21 team and the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team...
's side's spent most of the season in the top half of the table but Cole's season was ended by injury in March.
Despite signing a new contract with Manchester City only months earlier and leaving Fulham in 2005 to return to the north
Northern England
Northern England, also known as the North of England, the North or the North Country, is a cultural region of England. It is not an official government region, but rather an informal amalgamation of counties. The southern extent of the region is roughly the River Trent, while the North is bordered...
, Cole signed for south coast club Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on transfer deadline day (31 August 2006) for an undisclosed fee expected to rise to £1 million depending on appearances. He scored his first league goal for his new club in the 2–0 win at home to West Ham on 14 October 2006. However, Cole struggled to break into Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
's side and in March 2007 he signed on loan for Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
of the Championship until the end of the season. Cole returned to Portsmouth after five appearances and one goal (against Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Birmingham. He was released on 3 August 2007.
After being released by Portsmouth at the end of the 2006–07 season, Cole signed a one year contract with Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
on a free transfer, reuniting him with former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers strike partner Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
, and under the management of former United team-mate Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
. After seven games for the club he was loaned out to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
and was released at the end of the 2007–08 Premier League season.
On 4 July 2008, Cole signed a 12-month deal with Nottingham Forest, his 12th club, and hometown club from childhood. However, on 31 October 2008, Forest confirmed that Cole's contract had been cancelled by mutual consent, after eleven appearances and no goals.
On 11 November 2008, Cole announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to a 19-year career.
International career
Despite first being capped for EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1995, he had earned only 15 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
by the time he announced his retirement from international football after failing to be selected for the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
squad. He scored one goal for England, in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania
Albania national football team
The Albania national association football team is the national association football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania...
in March 2001. He also scored in his single appearance for the England B
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
team.
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
, in defence of his decision not to select Cole for the World Cup in 1998, accused Cole of needing six or seven chances to score one goal.
Injury just prior to Euro 2000 led to Cole missing out on another major competition for his country.
Cole earned his first four caps under four different managers. He made his debut against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
under Terry Venables
Terry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
in 1995, appeared next against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
under Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
at the Tournoi de France
Tournoi de France
The Tournoi de France was a friendly international football tournament held in Paris and other cities of France in early June of 1997 as a warm-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The four national teams participating at the tournament were Brazil, England, hosts France, and Italy...
in 1997, made his third appearance against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
under caretaker Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson is a former English football player and manager, and has recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director at Sheffield Wednesday after formerly relinquishing the chairman role to Milan Mandaric...
in 1999 and finally earned his fourth cap against Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
under new manager Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
in his first starting appearance a few weeks later.
Coaching career
In August 2009, Cole was hired by his former Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
team-mate, Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
manager Paul Ince
Paul Ince
Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince is an English football manager and a former professional player. He has managed Blackburn Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons and Macclesfield Town...
, to coach the club's forwards on an initially temporary basis. However, a week later, Cole agreed to spend at least two days a week working on finishing with the forwards at Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, under his former Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
team-mate Lee Clark.
In December 2010, Cole was back at Manchester United, working at the Carrington training ground while finishing his coaching badges.
Personal life
In 1999, Cole released the unsuccessful single "OutstandingOutstanding
"Outstanding" is a song originally performed by The Gap Band and written by member Raymond Calhoun. The song originally appeared on the group's platinum-selling 1982 album Gap Band IV. It is one of their signature songs and biggest hits, reaching the number one spot on the U.S. R&B Singles Chart in...
", a cover of the 1982 song of the same name, which peaked below the UK Top 40.
Cole married his long time girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
Shirley Dewar in July 2002 on the same day that Steve McManaman
Steve McManaman
Steven McManaman is a retired English footballer who played as a midfielder, winger and playmaker. Having spent his playing career at two of European football's most successful clubs of the 20th century, Liverpool and Real Madrid, as well as a spell at Manchester City, McManaman is the most...
got married. They have a son called Devante, who is attached to Manchester City, and they live in the North West, as neighbours of Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
.
In 2008, Cole was quizzed by police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
after an alleged assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
on his wife in their Alderley Edge
Alderley Edge
Alderley Edge is a village and civil parish within the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 4,409....
home in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
before being released on bail
Bail
Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail...
. Six months later, Cole, through his representative law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
, Schillings
Schillings
Schillings Media Boutique , is a British full-service law firm based in London. It employs over fifteen lawyers and is particularly known for obtaining anonymised gagging orders to protect clients' privacy....
, won damages
Damages
In law, damages is an award, typically of money, to be paid to a person as compensation for loss or injury; grammatically, it is a singular noun, not plural.- Compensatory damages :...
in an action against media giants Express Newspapers
Express Newspapers
Northern & Shell is a British publishing and television group. The holding company name is "Northern and Shell Network Ltd". Launched and founded in December 1974 and currently owned by Richard Desmond, it publishes the Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star and Daily Star Sunday, and the...
, which owns the Daily Star for defamation regarding the publication of material concerning the assault allegations and for harms caused against his family by sensationalist reports.
Charity work
In 2000, Cole visited ZimbabweZimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
and returned to set up his own charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
foundation called the "Andy Cole Children's Foundation" which helped AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
orphans in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. The charity was registered with the Charity Commission
Charity Commission
The Charity Commission for England and Wales is the non-ministerial government department that regulates registered charities in England and Wales....
in the United Kingdom under number 1079911. The charity has since been rebranded as All Star Kids, as Cole is no longer involved.
In June 2011 Cole visited Tanzania and was involved in promoting soccer at a local school in Dar es salaam. The visit was organized by a telecom company Airtel.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
1989–90 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| 1990–91 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
1991–92 | 13 | 3 | 13 | 3 | ||||||||
| Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
1991–92 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 8 | ||||||||
| 1992–93 | 29 | 12 | 29 | 12 | |||||||||
| Total | 41 | 20 | 41 | 20 | |||||||||
| Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
1992–93 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| 1993–94 | 40 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 41 | |
| 1994–95 | 18 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 15 | |
| Total | 70 | 55 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 85 | 68 | |
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
1994–95 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 12 |
| 1995–96 | 34 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 13 | |
| 1996–97 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 7 | |
| 1997–98 | 33 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 25 | |
| 1998–99 | 32 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 24 | |
| 1999–2000 | 28 | 19 | – | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 45 | 22 | ||
| 2000–01 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 13 | |
| 2001–02 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | |
| Total | 195 | 93 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 19 | 7 | 0 | 275 | 121 | |
| Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
2001–02 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 13 |
| 2002–03 | 34 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 13 | |
| 2003–04 | 34 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 11 | |
| Total | 83 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 37 | |
| Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
2004–05 | 31 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 13 |
| Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
2005–06 | 22 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 10 |
| Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
2006–07 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
| Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
2006–07 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
2007–08 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
2007–08 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 6 |
| Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
2008–09 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | 509 | 229 | 35 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 54 | 19 | 7 | 0 | 621 | 270 | |
Club
Arsenal- FA Charity ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
(1): 19911991 FA Charity ShieldThe 1991 FA Charity Shield was a North London derby football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Saturday 10 August 1991. Arsenal had won the 1990-91 Football League and Tottenham had won the 1991 FA Cup Final to qualify for the season opener which was played the week before...
(shared)
Newcastle United
- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
(1): 1992–93
Manchester United
- Premier League (5): 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01
- FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
(2): 1995–961996 FA Cup FinalThe 1996 FA Cup Final was the 51st to be held at Wembley Stadium after the Second World War and was held between two of the biggest rivals in English football, Manchester United and Liverpool.- Build-up :...
, 1998–991999 FA Cup FinalThe 1999 FA Cup Final took place on 22 May 1999 and was played at the old Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Newcastle United. Manchester United had finished as champions and Newcastle 13th in the Premier League that season. The Final was a one-sided affair, Manchester... - FA Charity ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
(2): 19961996 FA Charity ShieldThe 1996 FA Charity Shield was the 74th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions...
, 19971997 FA Charity ShieldThe 1997 FA Charity Shield was the 75th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played on 3 August 1997 at Wembley Stadium and contested by Manchester United, who had won the 1996–97 FA... - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(1): 1998–991999 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 1999 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 26 May 1999. The match was played at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, to determine the winner of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League. The final was contested by Manchester United and Bayern Munich... - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
(1): 19991999 Intercontinental CupThe 1999 Intercontinental Cup was a football match played on 30 November 1999 between Manchester United, winners of the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League, and Palmeiras, winners of the 1999 Copa Libertadores...
Blackburn Rovers
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(1): 2001–022002 Football League Cup FinalThe 2002 Worthington Cup Final was played between Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Sunday, 24 February 2002. Blackburn won the match 2–1....
In popular culture
Welsh band CatatoniaCatatonia (band)
Catatonia were an alternative rock band from Wales who gained a national following in the United Kingdom in the mid to late 1990s. The band consisted of Cerys Matthews on vocals, Mark Roberts on guitar, Paul Jones on bass , Owen Powell on...
name-checked Cole on their 1996 B-side "Do You Believe In Me?". The lyrics include the line "I'm Andy Cole's tortured soul, missed out again in front of goal."
Relationships with other players
Neil RuddockNeil Ruddock
Neil "Razor" Ruddock is a retired English footballer, who played as a central defender.He made his debut at Millwall , and he had a long career playing for Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Liverpool, West Ham, Crystal Palace, and finally a short-lived spell as a player/coach at Swindon Town Neil...
considered Cole to be the player he most enjoyed playing against. In a candid interview with Talksport, he jokingly referred to the incident that resulted in Cole suffering two broken legs in 1997 as "not big, and not clever", adding "but it was great", and that "I didn't mean to break both of his legs if I'm honest, I only meant to break one".
External links
- Squad profiles - Andrew Cole BBC Sport