Former Oxford United player Mitchell Cole dead at 27

2:06pm Saturday 1st December 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Mark Taylor, Reporter. Please call me on (01865) 425411

Mitchell Cole at the Kassam when he retired Mitchell Cole at the Kassam when he retired

FORMER Oxford United player Mitchell Cole has died, the Football League has announced.

Mr Cole, 27, was forced to hang up his boots as a professional player in February last year following a heart attack.

The winger suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is an irregular thickness of the heart in certain areas.

Writing on its official Twitter feed, the Football League said: "We are sad to hear former Southend, Stevenage and Oxford United player Mitchell Cole has passed away.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Oxford United spokesman Chris Williams added: “Our players are devastated.”

Cole, who was married to the sister of England international Joe Cole, told the Oxford Mail after being forced to retire that he would be risking death if he were to play again.

“It’s hard to swallow at the minute,” he said.

“Football’s been my life. It’s all I’ve ever known.”

He quit as a professional for the U’s before returning to the non-League game.

Cole made just five appearances since joining the U’s from Stevenage in the summer of 2010.

It has been reported that Mr Cole decided to retire completely after watching Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffer a cardiac arrest in an FA Cup tie with Tottenham in March.

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Muamba was "dead" for 78 minutes before doctors saved his life.

The Professional Footballers’ Association joined the Football League in expressing their condolences, tweeting: "The PFA is deeply saddened by the loss of 27-year-old Mitchell Cole, our thoughts are with his friends and family."

  • If you wish to leave a tribute to Mitchell Cole, please make a comment below and we shall pass them on to the club. You can also email it to us.

Comments (16)

2:11pm Sat 1 Dec 12

Mark L says...

Sad day today, 27 is no age. I hope we have a minutes applause next week.
Sad day today, 27 is no age. I hope we have a minutes applause next week. Mark L

2:40pm Sat 1 Dec 12

DAWN DWYER says...

R.I.P MITCHELL COLE....THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, AT THIS VERY, VERY SAD TIME...GOD BLESS!! xxx
R.I.P MITCHELL COLE....THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, AT THIS VERY, VERY SAD TIME...GOD BLESS!! xxx DAWN DWYER

3:06pm Sat 1 Dec 12

Tracer1999 says...

Very sad news rip young man
Very sad news rip young man Tracer1999

3:35pm Sat 1 Dec 12

Matt Erlanger says...

My condolences to the family. I also have this condition, but count myself lucky to be a "survivor" at nearly 50. Mitchell has been a supporter of the Cardiomyopathy Association (http://www.cardiomy
opathy.org) since learning of his diagnosis. Please visit the web site to learn more about this hidden killer and help raise awareness to prevent further untimely losses of active young people.
My condolences to the family. I also have this condition, but count myself lucky to be a "survivor" at nearly 50. Mitchell has been a supporter of the Cardiomyopathy Association (http://www.cardiomy opathy.org) since learning of his diagnosis. Please visit the web site to learn more about this hidden killer and help raise awareness to prevent further untimely losses of active young people. Matt Erlanger

3:38pm Sat 1 Dec 12

WembleyYellows says...

Mitchell Cole only played a few games for us, but, I remember telling my dad he looked like a player who would really benefit the club. Real tragedy losing anyone at 27. R.I.P Mitchell Cole.
Mitchell Cole only played a few games for us, but, I remember telling my dad he looked like a player who would really benefit the club. Real tragedy losing anyone at 27. R.I.P Mitchell Cole. WembleyYellows

5:12pm Sat 1 Dec 12

the wizard says...

Local rivalry aside, on behalf of the vast majority who are decent guys at Swindon Town may I please be allowed to convey sincerest condolences at this terrible and tragic time, to the club and family. To lose one so young is very hard and somehow very unjust. May this young man rest in peace.
Local rivalry aside, on behalf of the vast majority who are decent guys at Swindon Town may I please be allowed to convey sincerest condolences at this terrible and tragic time, to the club and family. To lose one so young is very hard and somehow very unjust. May this young man rest in peace. the wizard

8:27pm Sat 1 Dec 12

northampton yellow says...

Sad to hear this news 27 is no age and football was his life my thoughts go out to this family and friends r.i.p. My friend
Sad to hear this news 27 is no age and football was his life my thoughts go out to this family and friends r.i.p. My friend northampton yellow

9:40pm Sat 1 Dec 12

Mark L says...

the wizard wrote:
Local rivalry aside, on behalf of the vast majority who are decent guys at Swindon Town may I please be allowed to convey sincerest condolences at this terrible and tragic time, to the club and family. To lose one so young is very hard and somehow very unjust. May this young man rest in peace.
Fair play to you The Wizard, one of yours has been making this into a joke on Facebook, but i think when a life is lost, our rivalry is irrelevant.
[quote][p][bold]the wizard[/bold] wrote: Local rivalry aside, on behalf of the vast majority who are decent guys at Swindon Town may I please be allowed to convey sincerest condolences at this terrible and tragic time, to the club and family. To lose one so young is very hard and somehow very unjust. May this young man rest in peace.[/p][/quote]Fair play to you The Wizard, one of yours has been making this into a joke on Facebook, but i think when a life is lost, our rivalry is irrelevant. Mark L

10:18pm Sat 1 Dec 12

BigAlBiker says...

I watched Mitchell play for Oxford at Didcot in a reserve match a couple of years ago and he was a talented winger, shame he could not compete at a higher lever, RIP young man, you will not be forgotten by the mighty yellows.
I watched Mitchell play for Oxford at Didcot in a reserve match a couple of years ago and he was a talented winger, shame he could not compete at a higher lever, RIP young man, you will not be forgotten by the mighty yellows. BigAlBiker

11:31pm Sat 1 Dec 12

the wizard says...

Mark L wrote:
the wizard wrote:
Local rivalry aside, on behalf of the vast majority who are decent guys at Swindon Town may I please be allowed to convey sincerest condolences at this terrible and tragic time, to the club and family. To lose one so young is very hard and somehow very unjust. May this young man rest in peace.
Fair play to you The Wizard, one of yours has been making this into a joke on Facebook, but i think when a life is lost, our rivalry is irrelevant.
Mark,

What can I say or do, sorry there is always one idiot who doesn't know the meaning of the word, respect.

Now is not the time for rivalry or banter, now is the time for remorse and memories of a young family man who choose football as his career. I just hope that OU supporters do not tar us all with the same brush. The vast majority of us are decent guys and would now only want what is best for the young family that has been so tragically left behind. I hope in time they can come to terms with their loss and find peace in their lives. My prayers will be for them tonight.
[quote][p][bold]Mark L[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]the wizard[/bold] wrote: Local rivalry aside, on behalf of the vast majority who are decent guys at Swindon Town may I please be allowed to convey sincerest condolences at this terrible and tragic time, to the club and family. To lose one so young is very hard and somehow very unjust. May this young man rest in peace.[/p][/quote]Fair play to you The Wizard, one of yours has been making this into a joke on Facebook, but i think when a life is lost, our rivalry is irrelevant.[/p][/quote]Mark, What can I say or do, sorry there is always one idiot who doesn't know the meaning of the word, respect. Now is not the time for rivalry or banter, now is the time for remorse and memories of a young family man who choose football as his career. I just hope that OU supporters do not tar us all with the same brush. The vast majority of us are decent guys and would now only want what is best for the young family that has been so tragically left behind. I hope in time they can come to terms with their loss and find peace in their lives. My prayers will be for them tonight. the wizard

12:56pm Sun 2 Dec 12

jack smart says...

THIS IS TRAGIC NEWS , MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY
THIS IS TRAGIC NEWS , MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY jack smart

9:49am Mon 3 Dec 12

GRB says...

Really feel for his family. RIP Mitchell.
Really feel for his family. RIP Mitchell. GRB

10:25am Mon 3 Dec 12

BigOx22 says...

RIP Mitchell Cole. Looks a decent player. Makes you think twice about life and how quickly it can change. Sympathy goes out to his family and friends and this hard time.
RIP Mitchell Cole. Looks a decent player. Makes you think twice about life and how quickly it can change. Sympathy goes out to his family and friends and this hard time. BigOx22

10:25am Mon 3 Dec 12

BigOx22 says...

*looked a decent player
*looked a decent player BigOx22

11:40am Mon 3 Dec 12

Joe1 says...

Really tragic news. May he rest in peace.
Really tragic news. May he rest in peace. Joe1

8:31pm Mon 3 Dec 12

rosieposie55 says...

My sympathies with his family and friends and all that knew him
Perhaps a Mitchell Cole trophy in his name best wishes from a Mum and grandmother
My sympathies with his family and friends and all that knew him Perhaps a Mitchell Cole trophy in his name best wishes from a Mum and grandmother rosieposie55

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