INTERNATIONAL footballers, Premier League stars, managers and supporters, joined current and former Stevenage players to remember the late Mitchell Cole and raise money for the Cardiomyopathy Association at the Lamex Stadium this evening (Tuesday).
Cole was forced to retire from professional football in 2011 aged 25 due to a heart condition, the winger had played for Stevenage and Southend United.
He sadly died in December from the condition, leaving behind wife Charly and three children.
In his memory a Stevenage XI, managed by current Boro boss Graham Westley, took on a Mitchell Cole XI, led by Mark Stimson, the former Stevenage manager who signed Cole from Southend in 2007.
A who’s who of football were at the game.
Mitchell’s brother-in-law Joe Cole and a host of other West Ham United players turned out including Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble, Matt Jarvis, James Collins and on-loan Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll.
The Mitchell Cole XI ran out as 7-4 winners in a game with a real party atmosphere with goals from Jarvis (two), Nolan, Carroll, Collins, Noble, and Tony Battersby.
In reply Barry Hayles, Chris Beardsley, Lawrie Wilson and Charlie Griffin netted.
Supporters turned out in force for the game with 2,306 in attendance.
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