Mitchell Cole

Mitchell James Cole (6 October 1985 – 30 November 2012) was an English footballer who played as a winger. He retired from professional football in 2011 after being diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that made it unsafe for him to continue playing competitively.

After beginning his career in the West Ham United academy, Cole joined Grays Athletic in 2004 and helped the club win the Conference South title and FA Trophy. He signed for Southend United in July 2005 and contributed to the club's promotion to the Championship as League One champions in his debut season. Cole transferred to Stevenage Borough in January 2007, scoring in the first competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium as the club won the FA Trophy. He won the competition again in 2009 and helped Stevenage secure promotion to the Football League as Conference Premier champions during the 2009–10 season.

Cole signed for Oxford United in June 2010, making six appearances before retiring from professional football in February 2011 due to his heart condition. He subsequently returned to semi-professional football, playing for Stotfold, Hitchin Town, Biggleswade Town, Arlesey Town, and Basildon United, making his final appearance for the club in September 2012. Internationally, he earned 14 caps and scored seven goals for the England C team, making him the second-highest goalscorer in the team's history. Cole died on 30 November 2012 while playing football with family and friends, with his death linked to his pre-existing heart condition.

Early life Born on 6 October 1985 in London, England, Cole attended Moorfield Primary School. before joining West Ham United's academy when the centre closed.

Grays Athletic Despite his diagnosis, Cole continued to pursue a career in football, as little was then known about the condition and he felt able to manage it himself. In the summer of 2004, after meeting chairman Mick Woodward on a family holiday, Cole was invited to train with Conference South club Grays Athletic. Cole also started in the 2005 FA Trophy final on 23 May 2005, in which Grays defeated Hucknall Town on penalties after a 1–1 draw; he was observed by scouts from Arsenal during the match. He made his debut in the opening match of the 2005–06 season, starting in a 2–1 defeat against Port Vale at Roots Hall. He noted that the management style of Steve Tilson at Southend was similar to that of former manager Stimson, which helped him settle quickly at the club. and made 31 appearances that season, as the team secured promotion to the Championship as League One champions.

Having made two appearances for Southend in the opening month of the 2006–07 season, Cole sought more regular playing time. Although Tilson was reluctant to let him leave, he allowed Cole to join League One club Northampton Town on a one-month loan. and scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 away victory over Millwall at The Den on 24 September 2006. The loan was extended for a further month on 11 October 2006, with Cole making nine appearances in total before returning to Southend in November 2006.

Stevenage Borough Cole joined Conference Premier club Stevenage Borough for a five-figure fee on 26 January 2007, reuniting with former Grays manager Stimson. and went on to make 23 appearances that season, scoring three goals. The following month, Cole scored Stevenage's opening goal in a 3–2 victory over Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium, as the club came from two goals down to become the first team to win a competitive final at the new stadium in front of 53,262 spectators. At the start of the 2007–08 season, Cole sustained a knee injury in a match against Histon, ruling him out for six weeks. He made 27 appearances that campaign, scoring twice. He made 50 appearances in all competitions as Stevenage won the FA Trophy that season, marking Cole's third success in the competition. He signed a new two-year contract on 22 April 2009. In the 2009–10 season, Cole scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers on 5 December 2009. He was briefly deployed at left-back in January 2010, and recorded his second career hat-trick the following month, scoring three goals in seven minutes as a substitute in a 6–0 victory against Eastbourne Borough at Priory Lane on 2 March 2010. He made 41 appearances and scored four goals as Stevenage won the Conference Premier title, earning promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history. He left the club in June 2010, having made 144 appearances and scored 23 goals across three and a half seasons. He made his debut as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2–1 home defeat against Bury on 14 August 2010, and his first start came ten days later in a 1–0 League Cup defeat to former club West Ham United. Cole made six appearances in all competitions, with his last professional appearance coming in a 3–2 defeat to Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose on 16 October 2010.

Retirement from professional football In February 2011, Cole was forced to retire from professional football on medical advice after his heart condition had worsened. Two days later, he joined Southern League Premier Division club Hitchin Town on non-contract terms, making his debut for the club on the same day in a 3–0 home victory against Hemel Hempstead Town. As Cole had signed for Hitchin on a non-contract basis, he was available to play for Stotfold in a 2–1 home win against St. Margaretsbury the following day. Cole scored his first goal for Hitchin in a 3–1 away victory over Bedford Town at The New Eyrie on 29 August 2011, and left the club in November 2011 after 15 appearances and one goal.

Cole then signed for Southern League Division One Central club Biggleswade Town, making his debut on 19 November 2011 as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Slough Town at Langford Road. He scored once in six appearances before joining Arlesey Town on 7 January 2012, where he scored twice in 11 appearances. Cole subsequently appeared for Essex Senior League club Basildon United in a 1–0 away victory against Barkingside at Cricklefield Stadium on 22 September 2012.

International career Cole represented England at schoolboy level. He was called up to the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, in February 2005 for a friendly against the Netherlands. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Finland C in June 2007, and went on to score the match-winners in games against Wales XI and Gibraltar in 2008. Cole was subsequently selected for the England C tour of the Caribbean in June 2008, playing in both games against Grenada and Barbados. With seven goals in 14 appearances, Cole is the second-highest goalscorer in the history of the non-League national team. England C manager Paul Fairclough compared his playing style to that of Ryan Giggs, Clubs and supporters paid tribute with moments of silence, black armbands, and applause in the minute corresponding to his squad number, while former teammates, including Jack Midson and Steve Morison, dedicated goals to him. He was also commemorated during the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

A benefit match, titled 'Match for Mitch', was held on 7 May 2013 at Broadhall Way between a Mitchell Cole XI and a Stevenage XI, with proceeds going to his family and The Cardiomyopathy Association. The match was attended by 2,306 spectators. Participants included his brother-in-law Joe Cole, Andy Carroll, James Collins, Gary Hooper, Matt Jarvis, and Kevin Nolan,

Personal life Cole had three children with his wife, Charly, who is the sister of fellow professional footballer and England international Joe Cole. Their third child, daughter Leni, was born on 7 December 2012, just a week after Cole's death.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Grays Athletic 2004–05 Conference National

2007–08 Conference Premier

2008–09 Conference Premier

2009–10 Conference Premier

119!!20!!7!!1!!0!!0!!18!!2!!144!!23 Oxford United 2010–11