Andy Cole has pretty much accomplished everything there is to do as a player, the one thing remaining is to win the ICONS of Football 2017 Tournament.
Cole began his youth career with Arsenal but only had one appearance for the club. He is best remembered for his time at Manchester United where he was a member of many trophy-winning teams. Cole was one of the best centre forwards of his day, known for having great vision with the ball and an insatiable work ethic.
The great striker had brief stints with Fulham and Bristol City but truly came into his own whilst with Newcastle Utd. In his first season with the Magpies, Cole scored 12 goals in 12 matches and helped the club cruise to promotion to the Premier League.
Cole cemented his status as a star striker in his first full season with Newcastle, breaking the club record by scoring an astounding 41 goals in all competitions during one season. The effort was enough to qualify Newcastle for their first UEFA Cup since the 1970’s and the striker was rewarded with the PFA Young Player of the Year Award. Cole would play one more year for the club before being shockingly sold to Manchester United.
Even though he joined midway through the season his impact was felt right away as he netted 12 goals in only 18 matches. In a 1995 match against Ipswich Town, Cole became the first top flight player in the modern era to score five goals in a single match. Man United won the FA Cup that season, with Cole scoring crucial goals against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The next season saw a nightmare scenario for the centre forward as he suffered two broken legs in a reserve match against Liverpool. Cole returned to top form the next season netting 18 goals and, in turn, silencing any outstanding critics the star may have had.
The next season saw the club bring in Dwight Yorke and the chemistry he had with Cole made them the best attacking duo in Europe. That season, the two combined for an astonishing 53 goals between them. Cole played a large role in the club winning the unique treble of Premier League Title, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. In the Champions League semi-finals against Juventus, Cole scored the winning goal which sent the Red Devils the finals for the first time in over 30 years.
It was during the treble campaign that the goal-scoring maestro notched his 100th Premier League goal. During his time with Manchester United Cole was a member of five sides that won the title. Cole will be remembered as being a key member of one of the greatest clubs in Premier League history.
After Cole left Man United, he joined former teammate Dwight Yorke at Blackburn. In his first year at the club, the duo continued their winning ways by triumphing in the League Cup. Cole showed his pedigree by scoring the winning goal against Tottenham.
With the League Cup win, Cole had won all three domestic trophies in addition to winning the Champions League. He finished his career playing for several Premier League clubs but his time as an attacking menace for Man United is how he is remembered to many football supporters.
Cole will be competing against former teammate – and Rest of the World ICON - Dwight Yorke in the ICONS of Football 2017 tournament, playing for England under the guidance of team captain, Lee Westwood.
Tickets for Icons of Football 2017 are available now at icons-series.com
