Sad to hear of the retirement of Joe Cole. I was there when he came on the pitch as a kid and we were told, "you can tell your grandchildren you were there when Joe Cole signed for West Ham." He could never live up to such hype of course, but I do remember him playing his heart out during the relegation season of 2002-03 (and not asking for a transfer in the fashion of Defoe). Another highlight was his winner in the fantastic Di Canio-inspired 5-4 home win against Bradford. He was so skilful that at times he seemed to have too many tricks and needed to keep his game simpler, which he learned to do at Chelsea, winning two titles.
When Joe returned to West Ham under Sam Allardyce he had lost his pace but still chipped in with some useful cameos and goals. While you had to admire his love of the game when he dropped down the leagues to Coventry and then signed for Tampa in the US. Cole, Ferdinand, Lampard and Carrick have all now retired and it's the end of the generation of England talent that West Ham sold. Let's hope we keep hold of the next crop of Academy youngsters. Good luck in your post-footie career Joe.
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