Ashley Cole

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Stepney, London, Cole began his youth career at Arsenal and made his full debut for the club in November 1999, going on to make 228 appearances and scoring nine goals for the North London club. With Arsenal he won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and was an integral member of the 'Invincibles' team of the 2003–04 season. Cole also made an appearance in Arsenal's first UEFA Champions League final in 2006; the club lost 2–1 to Barcelona. In August 2006, after a protracted transfer saga, Cole completed a move to rival club Chelsea, with whom he won further honours, including the Premier League in the 2009–10 season, four FA Cups, one Football League Cup and one UEFA Champions League. He was released by Chelsea at the end of the 2013–14 season. With seven winners' medals, Cole has won the FA Cup more times than any other player in history, and is one of two players to have won the Double with two clubs, along with Nicolas Anelka. Cole was an England international from 2001 to 2014, playing at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups, as well as Euro 2004 and Euro 2012. He was voted England Player of the Year in 2010. When he retired from international football in 2014, he had won 107 caps, making him England's most-capped full-back.

In Their Own Story

On 30 November 1999, an 18-year-old Cole made his Arsenal debut in a League Cup loss to Middlesbrough. By February 2000, he signed his first professional contract. A loan spell at Crystal Palace saw him score a long-range half-volley against Blackburn Rovers before he cemented his place as first-choice left-back after Sylvinho's injury in the 2000–01 season. His 2004–05 season was particularly strong; he scored the only goal in an important win at Manchester City and netted a third for a 3–1 victory over Aston Villa. The transfer to Chelsea brought immediate success, though not without incident. He suffered a serious knee injury against Blackburn Rovers in January 2007 but returned to assist both goals in a 2–0 win against Portsmouth before the FA Cup final. In March 2008, he scored his first Chelsea goal in a 4–0 thrashing of West Ham United.

Reader's Guide

Cole was found guilty of making contact with league rivals Chelsea over a possible move, without informing Arsenal. He was fined £100,000 by the Premier League on 2 June 2005 for a tapping-up meeting at a hotel in January 2005. An appeal in August 2005 did not reject the guilty verdict, but his fine was reduced to £75,000. Chelsea were also fined £300,000 and Mourinho was fined £200,000, reduced on appeal in August 2005 to £75,000.

Did You Know?

• Cole's father, Ron Callender, is from Barbados and left the family after seven years of marriage.
• Cole made his first-team debut for Arsenal on 30 November 1999 in the League Cup against Middlesbrough.
• Cole scored his first Chelsea goal on 1 March 2008 in a 4–0 away victory against West Ham United.
• Cole started all 38 league games for Chelsea in the 2010–11 season.