Mitchell Cole

Mitchell Cole

Mitchell James Cole (6 October 1985 – 1 December 2012) was an English footballer. Cole was forced to retire from professional football in 2011 as a result of a deteriorating heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, that meant it was dangerous for him to continue playing competitive football.

Cole started his career at West Ham United, but was released in 2004. He joined Grays Athletic shortly after, and enjoyed a successful season with the club, winning the Conference South title as well as the FA Trophy. He joined Southend United in 2005, spending a year and a half at the club before signing for Stevenage Borough for an undisclosed fee in January 2007. Cole's tenure at Stevenage was a successful one, scoring in the first ever competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium as Stevenage beat Kidderminster Harriers 3–2 to lift the FA Trophy in May 2007. He also helped the club on the way to winning the FA Trophy once again in May 2009. Cole was part of the club's successful 2009–10 campaign, as Stevenage secured promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history.

In June 2010, Cole signed for League Two side Oxford United, playing a handful of games before retiring from professional football in February 2011. Ahead of the 2011–12 campaign, Cole played for Stotfold, playing one competitive game for the club in August 2011. Shortly after, he joined Hitchin Town of the Southern League Premier Division, but was released by the club in November 2011. He subsequently signed for Southern Football League side Biggleswade Town, before joining Arlesey Town in January 2012.