Andy Cole facts for kids
Cole in 2014
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Alexander Cole | ||
| Date of birth | 15 October 1971 | ||
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1988–1989 | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1989–1992 | Arsenal | 1 | (0) |
| 1991 | → Fulham (loan) | 13 | (3) |
| 1992 | → Bristol City (loan) | 12 | (8) |
| 1992–1993 | Bristol City | 29 | (12) |
| 1993–1995 | Newcastle United | 70 | (55) |
| 1995–2001 | Manchester United | 195 | (93) |
| 2001–2004 | Blackburn Rovers | 83 | (27) |
| 2004–2005 | Fulham | 31 | (12) |
| 2005–2006 | Manchester City | 22 | (9) |
| 2006–2007 | Portsmouth | 18 | (3) |
| 2007 | → Birmingham City (loan) | 5 | (1) |
| 2007–2008 | Sunderland | 7 | (0) |
| 2008 | → Burnley (loan) | 13 | (6) |
| 2008 | Nottingham Forest | 10 | (0) |
| Total | 509 | (229) | |
| National team | |||
| 1991 | England U20 | 3 | (0) |
| 1992–1993 | England U21 | 8 | (4) |
| 1994 | England B | 1 | (1) |
| 1995–2001 | England | 15 | (1) |
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Andrew Alexander Cole (born October 15, 1971) is a famous English former footballer. He played as a striker and was known for scoring many goals. His career lasted from 1988 to 2008.
Andy Cole is best remembered for his time at Manchester United. They bought him from Newcastle United for a record fee in British football at the time. He played for Manchester United for six years and helped them win nine trophies. This included five Premier League titles and the amazing "Treble" in 1999. The Treble means winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League all in one season.
Besides Manchester United and Newcastle United, Cole also played for other top English teams. These include Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, and Sunderland. He also played for teams in lower divisions like Bristol City and Nottingham Forest.
Andy Cole is one of the top goalscorers in Premier League history, with 187 goals. He once held records for most goals in a 42-game season (34) and being the fastest to score 50 goals. He also won the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Cole played 15 times for the England national team between 1995 and 2001.
Contents
Club Career Highlights
Starting His Journey
Andy Cole started his football journey as a young player at Arsenal in 1988. He became a professional player in 1989. He played his first league game for Arsenal when he was 19. This was as a substitute against Sheffield United in December 1990.
Later, Cole was loaned to Fulham in a lower division. There, he scored three goals in 13 matches. In March 1992, he joined Bristol City on loan. He then signed a permanent deal with them for £500,000. This made him their most expensive player at the time. Cole quickly showed he was a great goalscorer.
Shining at Newcastle United
In February 1993, Newcastle United bought Cole for £1.75 million. This was a new club record for them. He scored 12 goals in just 12 league games. This helped Newcastle win their division and get promoted to the Premier League. He even scored two hat-tricks during this time.
For the 1993–94 Premier League season, Cole teamed up with Peter Beardsley. Cole scored an amazing 34 goals in 40 matches. Newcastle finished third, which meant they qualified for the UEFA Cup. He scored Newcastle's first-ever Premier League goal against Manchester United. He also scored hat-tricks against Liverpool and Coventry City.
Cole scored 41 goals in all competitions that season. This broke a club record that had stood for almost 70 years. He was voted PFA Young Player of the Year for his fantastic performance. In total, Cole scored 68 goals in 84 games for Newcastle.
Becoming a Manchester United Star
On January 10, 1995, Andy Cole made a surprising move to Manchester United. The deal was worth £7 million, which was a new British transfer record. Even though he joined halfway through the 1994–95 season, Cole scored 12 goals in 18 Premier League games for United. This included scoring five goals in one match against Ipswich Town. He was the first player to score five goals in a Premier League game.
The 1995–96 season was a bit tough at first. But Cole found his form and scored important goals. He scored the equalizer in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. He then helped United win the Premier League title and the FA Cup, completing the "Double."
For the 1996–97 season, Cole was given the number 9 shirt. He recovered from an injury and scored crucial goals in the league and UEFA Champions League. He scored a memorable goal against Porto in the Champions League.
In the 1997–98 season, Cole became the main striker again after Eric Cantona retired. He was the joint top goalscorer in the Premier League with 18 goals. He also scored his first European hat-trick against Feyenoord. Cole was the top scorer for United that season with 25 goals.
The 1998–99 season was historic for Cole. He formed a fantastic partnership with new signing Dwight Yorke. They scored 53 goals together and were known as one of the best attacking duos in Europe. Their teamwork was incredible, with amazing one-touch passes.
Cole played a key part in United winning the unique "Treble" that season. He scored the winning goal in the final Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. This win secured the league title for United. He also scored the winning goal in the Champions League semi-final against Juventus. This sent United to the final. During this season, he also scored his 100th Premier League goal.
In the 1999–2000 season, Cole was United's second top scorer with 19 goals in the Premier League. He won his fourth Premier League title medal in five seasons. He also scored his 100th goal for Manchester United.
Another title followed in the 2000–01 season. Cole scored 13 goals, including four in the UEFA Champions League. This made him Manchester United's record goal scorer in European competitions at the time.
In the 2001–02 season, new players like Ruud van Nistelrooy joined the team. Cole scored seven goals before moving to Blackburn Rovers. He made one last appearance for Manchester United in a friendly match in 2007.
Time at Blackburn Rovers
On December 29, 2001, Cole joined Blackburn Rovers for £8 million. Within two months, he won the League Cup with Blackburn. He scored the winning goal in the final against Tottenham Hotspur. This meant he had won all four main domestic trophies and a European trophy in his career. He ended the season with 18 goals in total.
The next season, Cole was reunited with his former Manchester United strike partner, Dwight Yorke, at Blackburn. Cole scored 37 goals in 100 games for Blackburn.
Later Career and Retirement
After Blackburn, Cole returned to Fulham for the 2004–05 season. He was their top scorer and scored a great goal against Liverpool. He then moved to Manchester City in 2005. He had a good start there, but his season ended early due to injury.
In 2006, Cole joined Portsmouth. He struggled to get into the team and was loaned to Birmingham City in 2007. He scored one goal for Birmingham.
After leaving Portsmouth, Cole signed with Sunderland in 2007. He played with Dwight Yorke again and was managed by former teammate Roy Keane. He was then loaned to Burnley, where he scored six goals, including a hat-trick.
On July 4, 2008, Cole signed with Nottingham Forest, his local club. He played 11 games but did not score. On November 11, 2008, Andy Cole announced his retirement from football after a 19-year career.
International Career
Andy Cole played for the England national team 15 times between 1995 and 2001. He scored one goal for England in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania in March 2001. He also scored in his only game for the England B team.
He missed out on the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 due to selection choices and injuries. Cole played under four different England managers during his career.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Andy Cole started coaching. In 2009, he coached forwards at Milton Keynes Dons and Huddersfield Town. In 2010, he returned to Manchester United's training ground to complete his coaching badges. In 2019, he became a forward and attack coach for Southend United.
Personal Life
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Andy Cole's father, Lincoln, came to the UK from Jamaica and worked as a coal miner.
Andy Cole married Shirley Dewar in 2002. Their son, Devante, is also a professional footballer who plays as a forward.
Cole has spoken out against racism in football. He believes that football authorities need to do more to stop it.
Health Challenges
In June 2014, Andy Cole suffered kidney failure due to a condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. In April 2017, he had a kidney transplant. His nephew, Alexander, was the donor.
Charity Work
In 2000, Andy Cole started his own charity called the Andy Cole Children's Foundation. It helped children affected by AIDS in Zimbabwe. After his own health struggles, he set up the Andy Cole Fund to raise money for Kidney Research UK.
Career Statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal | 1989–90 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1990–91 | First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 1991–92 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Fulham (loan) | 1991–92 | Third Division | 13 | 3 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 15 | 4 | |||
| Bristol City (loan) | 1991–92 | Second Division | 12 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 8 | ||||
| Bristol City | 1992–93 | First Division | 29 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | 4 | 1 | 37 | 17 | |
| Total | 41 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | 4 | 1 | 49 | 25 | |||
| Newcastle United | 1992–93 | First Division | 12 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 12 | ||||
| 1993–94 | Premier League | 40 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 45 | 41 | |||
| 1994–95 | Premier League | 18 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | — | 27 | 15 | ||
| Total | 70 | 55 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 4 | — | 84 | 68 | |||
| Manchester United | 1994–95 | Premier League | 18 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 18 | 12 | ||||
| 1995–96 | Premier League | 34 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 43 | 13 | ||
| 1996–97 | Premier League | 20 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 7 | |
| 1997–98 | Premier League | 33 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 25 | |
| 1998–99 | Premier League | 32 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 24 | |
| 1999–2000 | Premier League | 28 | 19 | — | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 45 | 22 | ||
| 2000–01 | Premier League | 19 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 13 | |
| 2001–02 | Premier League | 11 | 4 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||
| Total | 195 | 93 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 50 | 19 | 7 | 0 | 275 | 121 | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2001–02 | Premier League | 15 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 20 | 13 | ||
| 2002–03 | Premier League | 34 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — | 43 | 13 | ||
| 2003–04 | Premier League | 34 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 37 | 11 | ||
| Total | 83 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 0 | — | 100 | 37 | |||
| Fulham | 2004–05 | Premier League | 31 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 39 | 13 | ||
| Manchester City | 2005–06 | Premier League | 22 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 23 | 10 | ||
| Portsmouth | 2006–07 | Premier League | 18 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 4 | ||
| Birmingham City (loan) | 2006–07 | Championship | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | ||||
| Sunderland | 2007–08 | Premier League | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||
| Burnley (loan) | 2007–08 | Championship | 13 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 6 | ||||
| Nottingham Forest | 2008–09 | Championship | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0 | ||
| Total | 509 | 229 | 40 | 15 | 26 | 20 | 57 | 23 | 14 | 2 | 646 | 289 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 5 | 1 | |
| Total | 15 | 1 | |
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Cole goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 April 2001 | Arena Kombëtare, Tirana, Albania |  Albania |
3-1 | 3-1 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours and Awards
Andy Cole won many trophies and awards during his career:
Arsenal
- FA Charity Shield: 1991 (shared)
Newcastle United
- Football League First Division: 1992–93 (This meant they won their league and got promoted!)
Manchester United
- Premier League: 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01
- FA Cup: 1995–96, 1998–99
- FA Charity Shield: 1997
- UEFA Champions League: 1998–99 (This is the biggest club competition in Europe!)
Blackburn Rovers
- Football League Cup: 2001–02
England
- Tournoi de France: 1997
Individual Awards
- Premier League Golden Boot: 1993–94 (Award for the top goalscorer in the Premier League)
- PFA Young Player of the Year: 1993–94 (Award for the best young player)
- Premier League Hall of Fame: 2024 (Recognizes legendary players)
- Newcastle United Player of the Year: 1993–94
- Premier League Player of the Month: November 1997
- PFA Team of the Year: 1999–2000 Premier League (Chosen as one of the best players in the league)
See also
In Spanish: Andy Cole para niños
Images for kids
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Cole representing Manchester United in Tokyo, March 2014
