Mitchell Cole Player Profile

Biography

A hugely popular player at Stevenage, Cole joined from Southend for a five-figure fee in January 2007, reuniting with Mark Stimson who had managed him at Grays Athletic.

Over the next few years, he was a key player on the left wing, never more so than when scoring the first goal in Boro's comeback against Kidderminster to win the 2007 FA Trophy Final at Wembley.

In total, he made almost 150 appearances for the club, with only injury preventing that number from being even higher. His 2009-10 title-winning season was sadly hindered by injuries, though he did score a remarkable seven minute hat-trick after coming off the bench at Eastbourne Borough.

Cole's time with Boro soon came to an end, as he joined Oxford on a free transfer in June 2010.

However, his time there club would unfortunately be short. In February 2011, it was discovered that a heart condition had become serious, bringing immediate retirement. While he returned to the game at a semi-pro level in 2011-12, including stints with Stotfold, Hitchin Town, Biggleswade Town and Arlesey, it was only temporarily - he decided to retire for good after seeing Fabrice Muamba's on pitch collapse for Bolton against Tottenham.

Cole's career had been an exciting one for fans, as he always threatened to bring a magic moment that spelled trouble for the opposition. He received international recognition too, scoring seven times in 14 appearances for England C, making him their second highest goalscorer of all-time.

Tragically, Cole died in November 2012, aged just 27. Tributes to him poured out from the footballing world, and a Mitchell Cole benefit match was played at Broadhall Way in May 2013, with the proceeds being split between Cole's family and The Cardiomyopathy Association.