Norman Cole (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Norman Philip Cole was an English footballer who played in the 1930s at centre-forward, spending most of his career with Southampton
. He was first married to Kathleen, then to a woman named Grace, and had eight children.
and was educated firstly at Sholing School
and then at Taunton's School in Shirley, Southampton
. He played football for both schools as well as the local Itchen Sports, before joining the works team from the Thornycroft
shipbuilding
works at Woolston
. From there he joined the Isle of Wight
side, Newport, before signing as an amateur for Southampton
, then playing in the Football League Second Division
, in August 1932, aged 18.
His professional contract came a few months later and after starring in the reserves, he made his first-team debut on 30 December 1933, when he took Ted Drake
's place at centre-forward in a 2–2 draw at Bradford City
. When top-scorer Drake was sold to Arsenal
in March 1934, the "Saints" forward line was rather depleted – despite receiving a record fee of £6,000 for Drake, Southampton's finances were such that manager George Kay
was not able to purchase a replacement an, as a result, Cole was promoted from the reserves. The local press described Cole as "big, strong and ruddy of hair" and "vigorous and fast" and at first it seemed that Cole was going to be an adequate replacement for Drake, scoring twice in his first five matches followed by a hat-trick in a 3–2 victory over West Ham United
on 7 April 1934.
In the 1934–35 season, both Cole and the whole Saints' team struggled in front of goal, with the team totaling only 46 goals from 42 league games, with Cole ending the season as top scorer in the league with only eight goals from 24 appearances. At the end of February, Cole was dropped by manager Kay, who completely re-shuffled his side in an effort to avoid relegation, with Johnny McIlwaine
being moved forward. Kay's plan was successful, with Saints winning four of the last eleven matches and avoiding relegation by eight points.
In the summer of 1935, Cole was transferred to Norwich City
where he made only one appearance before retiring from professional football.
in Southampton Docks as an engineer
. He later worked for Follands at Hamble
.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. He was first married to Kathleen, then to a woman named Grace, and had eight children.
Football career
Cole was born in Woolston, SouthamptonWoolston, Southampton
Woolston is a suburb of Southampton, Hampshire, located on the eastern bank of the River Itchen. It is bounded by the River Itchen, Hampshire, Sholing, Peartree Green, Itchen and Weston.The area is rich in maritime and aviation history...
and was educated firstly at Sholing School
The Sholing Technology College
The Sholing Technology College, previously known as Sholing Girls' School, is a comprehensive school in east Southampton, Hampshire, in the south of England. The school is a specialist Technology College for 11 to 16 year olds....
and then at Taunton's School in Shirley, Southampton
Shirley, Southampton
Shirley is a district on the Western side of Southampton, England. Shirley's main roles are retailing and residential. It is the most important suburban shopping area in the west of the city. Housing is a mixture of council houses in the centre of the district surrounded by private housing, with...
. He played football for both schools as well as the local Itchen Sports, before joining the works team from the Thornycroft
John I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm started by John Isaac Thornycroft in the 19th century.-History:...
shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
works at Woolston
Woolston, Southampton
Woolston is a suburb of Southampton, Hampshire, located on the eastern bank of the River Itchen. It is bounded by the River Itchen, Hampshire, Sholing, Peartree Green, Itchen and Weston.The area is rich in maritime and aviation history...
. From there he joined the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
side, Newport, before signing as an amateur for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, then playing in the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
, in August 1932, aged 18.
His professional contract came a few months later and after starring in the reserves, he made his first-team debut on 30 December 1933, when he took Ted Drake
Ted Drake
Edward Joseph "Ted" Drake was an English football player and manager. As a player, he first played for Southampton but made his name playing for Arsenal in the 1930s, winning two league titles and an FA Cup, as well as five caps for England. He was also a cricketer, but only ever played sparingly...
's place at centre-forward in a 2–2 draw at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. When top-scorer Drake was sold to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in March 1934, the "Saints" forward line was rather depleted – despite receiving a record fee of £6,000 for Drake, Southampton's finances were such that manager George Kay
George Kay
George Kay was an English football player and manager of Luton Town, Southampton and Liverpool.The highlight of his playing career was when he captained West Ham United in the first FA Cup final to be played at Wembley, the so-called White Horse Final.He was manager of Liverpool for 15 years and...
was not able to purchase a replacement an, as a result, Cole was promoted from the reserves. The local press described Cole as "big, strong and ruddy of hair" and "vigorous and fast" and at first it seemed that Cole was going to be an adequate replacement for Drake, scoring twice in his first five matches followed by a hat-trick in a 3–2 victory over West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
on 7 April 1934.
In the 1934–35 season, both Cole and the whole Saints' team struggled in front of goal, with the team totaling only 46 goals from 42 league games, with Cole ending the season as top scorer in the league with only eight goals from 24 appearances. At the end of February, Cole was dropped by manager Kay, who completely re-shuffled his side in an effort to avoid relegation, with Johnny McIlwaine
Johnny McIlwaine
John "Johnny" McIlwaine was a Scottish footballer who played as a centre half for Portsmouth, where he captained the team in the 1929 FA Cup Final, before moving to south coast rivals Southampton...
being moved forward. Kay's plan was successful, with Saints winning four of the last eleven matches and avoiding relegation by eight points.
In the summer of 1935, Cole was transferred to Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
where he made only one appearance before retiring from professional football.
Later career
In 1936, Cole returned to Southampton and took up employment with the Southern RailwaySouthern Railway (Great Britain)
The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
in Southampton Docks as an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. He later worked for Follands at Hamble
Hamble-le-Rice
Hamble-le-Rice is a village in the Borough of Eastleigh in Hampshire, UK. It is best known for being an aircraft training centre during the Second World War and is a popular yachting location...
.
Family
- Son - Anthony Brian Cole
- Grandson - Edward George Cole
- Grandson - Benjamin Charles Cole -