Michael Cole (footballer, born 1966)

Michael Wade Cole (born 3 September 1966) is an English former footballer who played for Ipswich Town, Port Vale, Fulham, and Chelmsford City in the 1980s and 1990s. A forward, he scored eight goals in 90 league games in a seven-year career in the Football League.

Michael Cole
Personal information
Full name Michael Wade Cole[1]
Date of birth (1966-09-03) 3 September 1966[1]
Place of birth Hillingdon, England[1]
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1988 Ipswich Town 38 (3)
1988Port Vale (loan) 4 (1)
1988–1991 Fulham 48 (4)
Chelmsford City
Total 90+ (8+)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Cole began his career at Ipswich Town, who finished 17th in the First Division in 1984–85 under Bobby Ferguson's stewardship. The "Blues" were then relegated in 1985–86, just one point behind the safety mark set by Leicester City. They reached the Second Division play-offs in 1986–87, where they were beaten by Charlton Athletic at the semi-final stage. New boss John Duncan dropped Cole from the first team and led the club to eighth position in 1987–88. Cole spent four weeks on loan at John Rudge's Port Vale from January to February 1988.[1] He played four Third Division and three FA Cup games for the "Valiants", and scored one goal in a 3–2 win over York City at Bootham Crescent on 6 February.[1] He returned to Ipswich from Vale Park, only to move permanently to Fulham.[1] He had scored three goals in 38 league games during his time at Portman Road. Ray Lewington's "Cottagers" reached the Third Division play-offs in 1988–89, but were comfortably beaten by Bristol Rovers at the semi-final stage. However they dropped to just one point and one place above the relegation zone in 1989–90. They again struggled in 1990–91 under Alan Dicks's stewardship, finishing two points and one place above the relegation zone. Cole scored four goals in 48 league games in his three seasons at Craven Cottage. He later played Conference football for Chelmsford City.

Statistics

Source:[3]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ipswich Town 1984–85 First Division 20000020
1985–86 First Division 1811033224
1986–87 Second Division 1621030202
1987–88 Second Division 20000020
Total 3832063466
Port Vale (loan) 1987–88 Third Division 41301081
Fulham 1987–88 Third Division 91000091
1988–89 Third Division 3630040403
1989–90 Third Division 10000010
1990–91 Third Division 20001030
Total 4840050534

References

  1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 63. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 202. ISBN 0362020175.
  3. Michael Cole at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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