How to Be an Ex-Footballer

Product Information

They live their lives in the glaring media spotlight, yet only really develop one life skill—how to kick a ball better. A week after signing for the club, Cole made his debut in a UEFA Champions League qualifier away to MŠK Žilina. Cole got another assist in his second Lille appearance against Bordeaux, assisting an Eden Hazard goal in a 1–1 draw. However How to be an Ex Footballer as well as having its expected fill of funny anecdotes also has a darker side. He was one of a number of players who left West Ham in the summer of 2003, after the club had been relegated to the Football League First Division, with Cole signing for Chelsea.

From those staying in the sport—the diehard veterans, coaches, managers, owners and of course the legion of pundits, to those moving on to pastures new.He came on as a substitute for fellow new signing Damien Duff with 21 minutes remaining and caused Michal Drahno to score an own goal to conclude a 2–0 victory. Although it has to be said some sections are more entertaining than others, I didn’t find the chapters on politicians or owners held my interest as much as the ones on pundits, grafters or mavericks for example. Some are obvious; coaching, managing, punditry but some are more diverse such as Timo Apsrilla developing his own brand of condoms or Gavin Peacock turning his back on the game to become a church minister in Canada.

Following his successful substitute appearance, he was included in the starting line-up for Lille's Round of 16 Coupe de la Ligue match against Ligue 2 club Sedan on 26 October. Considering Crouch is a successful podcaster, it's not surprising that it is such clear audio book material. On 4 May 2016, Cole signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League (NASL), signing a contract through the end of the 2017 NASL season, with a club option for 2018.On 30 November 2013, he scored his second goal of the season in a home victory over Fulham, coming off the bench to complete the 3–0 victory. On 17 August, he played his first Premier League game for the club, again replacing Duff for the last 15 minutes in a 2–1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield. On 17 February, Cole played his first match under new manager Kenny Dalglish in a 0–0 draw against Sparta Prague in the Europa League, in which he came on as a first-half substitute for the injured Fábio Aurélio. Often recruited before they've worn long trousers, today's footballers become superstars who earn huge amounts without ever learning much about the world beyond the training ground. And also agree that it was difficult to determine which bits were Crouchy and which bits were those he had written about.

In the match, Cole scored the team's second goal in the 40th minute, which turned out to be decisive in a 3–1 win.Despite his talent, some pundits have argued that he failed to live up to the potential he demonstrated in his youth, partially due to the recurring injuries he sustained throughout his career. However, he was limited to only two substitute appearances in the tournament itself, [112] as England lost to Germany in the second round in what was to be his final international appearance. On 5 June 2012, however, he confirmed that Cole would not remain at Lille after stating that new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wanted the player to rejoin the Liverpool squad. He was the sixth player signed after the club's takeover by billionaire Roman Abramovich, amongst those was his former West Ham teammate Glen Johnson. He scored his first goal on 29 October in the League Cup against Notts County, replacing Jesper Grønkjær in the 70th minute and netting the last goal in a 4–2 victory which put Chelsea into the last 16.