Mitchell Cole facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mitchell Cole

Cole playing for Stevenage in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth	(1985-10-06)6 October 1985
Place of birth	London, England
Date of death	30 November 2012(2012-11-30) (aged 27)
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position	Winger
Youth career
2001–2003	Norwich City
2003–2004	West Ham United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2005	Grays Athletic	35	(5)
2005–2007	Southend United	33	(1)
2006	→ Northampton Town (loan)	8	(1)
2007–2010	Stevenage Borough	121	(20)
2010–2011	Oxford United	4	(0)
2011	Stotfold	2	(0)
2011	Hitchin Town	11	(1)
2011–2012	Biggleswade Town	6	(1)
2012	Arlesey Town	10	(1)
Total		230	(30)
National team
2005–2009	England C	14	(7)
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Mitchell James Cole (born October 6, 1985 – died November 30, 2012) was a talented English footballer. He played as a winger, which means he ran down the sides of the field to help attack. Sadly, Mitchell had to stop playing professional football in 2011. This was because of a serious heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It meant it was too risky for him to keep playing competitive matches.

Mitchell started his football journey in the youth academy at West Ham United. After leaving West Ham in 2004, he joined Grays Athletic. During his first season there, his team won the Conference South title and the FA Trophy. In 2005, he moved to Southend United. He then signed with Stevenage Borough in January 2007. He scored a goal in the first ever final played at the new Wembley Stadium in May 2007, helping Stevenage win the FA Trophy. He won the trophy again in May 2009. Mitchell also helped Stevenage get promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history during the 2009–10 season.

In June 2010, Mitchell joined League Two club Oxford United. He played a few games before his heart condition forced him to retire from professional football in February 2011. After that, he played for several semi-professional clubs like Stotfold, Hitchin Town, Biggleswade Town, and Arlesey Town.

Mitchell Cole's Football Journey

Starting Out in Football

Mitchell Cole was born in London. He began his football career at Norwich City's special training center. When that center closed, he moved to West Ham United's youth academy. In 2004, West Ham released him. Mitchell had faced many injuries at West Ham and even thought about quitting football for good. He took a year off from playing.

In the summer of 2004, someone suggested he train with Grays Athletic. The manager, Mark Stimson, offered him a contract. Mitchell played regularly in the 2004–05 season. He helped Grays get promoted from the Conference South to the Conference National. He scored five goals in 35 games. That season, Grays also won the 2005 FA Trophy Final by beating Hucknall Town in a penalty shootout.

Mitchell's great playing at Grays caught the eye of League One club Southend United. He joined Southend on July 13, 2005. He played his first game for Southend in their opening match of the 2005–06 season. He felt comfortable quickly because the Southend manager, Steve Tilson, was similar to his old manager, Mark Stimson. He played 31 games for Southend that season. He scored his only goal for them in a 3–1 win against Colchester United. He also helped Southend get promoted to the Championship.

In the 2006–07 season, Mitchell felt he needed to play more. So, he went on a one-month loan to Northampton Town. He scored his first goal for Northampton against Millwall in a 1–0 win. His loan was extended, and he played nine games for them. He went back to Southend in November 2006 but then got injured.

Time at Stevenage

On January 26, 2007, Mitchell joined Conference Premier club Stevenage Borough. This meant he was reunited with his former manager, Mark Stimson. He played his first game for Stevenage as a substitute on January 28, 2007. He played 22 more games that season, scoring three goals. His first goal for Stevenage was in a 4–4 draw against Forest Green Rovers.

Mitchell scored Stevenage's first goal in the 2007 FA Trophy Final against Kidderminster Harriers at Wembley Stadium. Stevenage won 3–2, coming back from two goals down. They were the first team to win a competitive final at the new Wembley!

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Mitchell got a knee injury that kept him out for six weeks. He scored two goals in 27 games that season. In the 2008–09 season, he scored 14 goals, including his first ever hat-trick (three goals in one game) in a 4–2 win against Salisbury City. He signed a new two-year contract with Stevenage in April 2009.

During the 2009–10 season, Mitchell scored his first goal on December 5, 2009. He even played two games as a left-back, which is a defensive position, instead of his usual left wing. The next month, he scored his second hat-trick for Stevenage in a huge 6–0 win against Eastbourne Borough. He scored all three goals in just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute! Mitchell played 42 games that season and scored four goals. Stevenage was promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history. In his three and a half years with Stevenage, Mitchell played 146 games and scored 23 goals.

Moving to Oxford United

On June 14, 2010, Mitchell joined Oxford United, a club that had just been promoted to League Two. He signed a two-year contract. He played his first game for Oxford on August 14, 2010. Ten days later, he started his first game for Oxford in a League Cup match against his old club, West Ham United. Mitchell played six games for Oxford in total. His last game was on October 16, 2010.

Retiring from Professional Football

In February 2011, Mitchell's professional football career ended early. He had to retire because of a serious heart condition. He had found out about his heart condition when he was 17, while at West Ham. He kept playing as his condition seemed to get better. But in November 2010, he started having trouble breathing during training and games. A top heart doctor advised him to stop playing competitive football to avoid serious health risks.

When he retired, Mitchell said it felt like "being hit by a ton of bricks" because football was all he had ever known. He was happy he got to play professionally for eight years.

Playing Semi-Professional Football

Even though he couldn't play professionally, Mitchell still loved football. Before the 2011–12 season, he played in some friendly games for Stotfold, a semi-professional team. He played in their first official game of the season.

A couple of days later, on August 15, 2011, Mitchell joined Hitchin Town. He played his first game for them on the same day. Because he wasn't on a full contract, he even played another game for Stotfold the next day! Mitchell scored his first goal for Hitchin on August 29, 2011. He left Hitchin on November 17, 2011, after playing 14 games and scoring one goal.

Soon after leaving Hitchin, Mitchell joined Biggleswade Town. He played his first game for them on November 19, 2011. He played six games for Biggleswade, scoring one goal. Then, he joined Arlesey Town on January 7, 2012.

Playing for England C Team

Mitchell was chosen to play for the England C team in February 2005. This team represents England at the non-League level. He scored the only goal for England C in a 1–0 win against Finland C in June 2007. He also scored the winning goal in games against Wales XI and Gibraltar in 2008.

Mitchell went on a tour with the England C team to the Caribbean in June 2008. He played in games against Grenada and Barbados. He also played in games against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy C, and Malta. Mitchell scored seven goals in 14 games for England C, making him the team's second-highest goalscorer ever!

Mitchell's Family Life

Mitchell Cole had three children with his wife, Charly. Charly is the sister of another famous footballer, Joe Cole, who played for England. Charly gave birth to their third child, a daughter named Leni, on December 7, 2012, just a week after Mitchell passed away.

Mitchell's younger brother, Ben Cole, started The Mitchell Cole Memorial Tournament. This tournament honors Mitchell and raises money for a charity called Cardiomyopathy UK, which helps people with heart conditions like Mitchell's.

Mitchell Cole's Passing

Mitchell Cole passed away on November 30, 2012, when he was only 27 years old.

Many people shared their sadness and paid tribute to Mitchell after his death. His first club, Grays Athletic, said he was remembered for his "rampaging runs down the left wing" and for scoring "spectacular goals." Phil Wallace, the chairman of Stevenage, said it was a "sad, tragic loss of a young life." He added that Mitchell was a very important player for the team during their successful years.

Paul Fairclough, who was Mitchell's manager for the England C team, said he was "shattered" by the news. He once said Mitchell had the potential to be like the famous player Ryan Giggs. Fairclough remembered Mitchell as fun, with a great sense of humor, and someone who was admired by everyone.

Many football clubs held special tributes. Grays Athletic had a minute of silence. Oxford United players wore black armbands. Stevenage fans applauded in the 21st minute of their game, because 21 was Mitchell's jersey number. AFC Wimbledon players wore armbands with 'Mitch' written on them, and one player dedicated his goal to Mitchell.

Oxford United and Stevenage held more tributes at their home games, including minutes of applause and players wearing special T-shirts. Mitchell was also remembered during the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony.

Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace announced that the club would hold a special benefit match for Mitchell. This match took place on May 7, 2013, at Stevenage's stadium. It was played between a Mitchell Cole XI team and a Stevenage XI team. Over 2,300 people came to watch the game. Many famous players, including Mitchell's brother-in-law Joe Cole, played in the match. The money raised from the game was given to Mitchell's family and The Cardiomyopathy Association charity.

Career Statistics

A.  The "Other" column includes games and goals in the FA Trophy and Football League Trophy.

Awards and Achievements

Grays Athletic

• Conference South: 2004–05
• FA Trophy: 2004–05

Southend United

• League One: 2005–06

Stevenage

• FA Trophy: 2006–07, 2008–09; runner-up: 2009–10
• Conference Premier: 2009–10