‘Scoring goals was just my job’

FORMER Newcastle United forward Andy Cole has admitted he struggled to cope with the adulation he received while playing for the Magpies.

Cole scored an incredible 69 goals in 84 appearances for the Magpies as he forged a destructive partnership with Peter Beardsley in the Premier League.

‘Cole the goal’ was the toast of Tyneside between 1993 and 1995 as his goals helped to transform Newcastle from a Division One outfit to Premier League title contenders.

There was mass outcry when Newcastle sold Cole to rivals Manchester United in 1995, with Kevin Keegan famously trying to justify the transfer on the steps of the players entrance at St James’ Park.

He may have been at Newcastle only for a brief spell but his impact on the club was enormous. He is set to be inducted in to the Newcastle United Hall of Fame next month.

But even now, Cole says he struggles to embrace the adulation, insisting it was merely his job to score goals.

“It was absolutely frightening,” Cole said in a wide-ranging interview with The Guardian.

“I really struggled to embrace the adulation because that’s not my bag. Even now, I struggle with adulation. I’m getting inducted into Newcastle’s hall of fame next month. Obviously I’m going to try to enjoy it but it was just my job to score goals. The adulation feels surreal.”

Cole spoke about his career, depression, as well as his lifesaving kidney transplant last year, in a fascinating interview with The

Guardian.