‘We shall never forget’

THE JAMAICA football fraternity is still in mourning following the passing of local football legend Allan ‘Skill’ Cole, who had fallen seriously ill recently.

‘Skill’, as he was affectionately called, was 75 at the time of his passing. Locally, he played for Real Mona, Boys’ Town, and Santos FC, with which he was mostly associated. He also played professionally in the United States with the Atlanta Hawks and in Brazil with Nautica.

During his heyday, the Rastafarian maestro, known for his superb technical ability and flair, was revered by Jamaica’s football public, many of whom believe he is the best footballer the island has produced.

Santos President Carlton ‘Spanner’ Dennis said Cole is the best to come out of the Caribbean.

“Allan Cole was a phenomenon. He was fantastic. He does things other players only dream of. Only the Brazillians you see do those things.

“He is the only man from this part of the world to get a contract to go to Brazil. So what can I say about the man? He was special. He was great. Long lived the king,” Dennis told The Gleaner.

“For the last few months, every day he was at the club walking. We played French [dominoes]. So we are very close. And everytime Allan is here [at Santos] walking, I would say to the youngsters, ‘You see him? He is the greatest thing to come from this region.’

“I have seen footballers from this country and the Caribbean, players like Dwight Yorke, Peter Marston. These people were special. He is number one.”

Cole had been hospitalised for some time, and Dennis said he knew something was wrong when he stopped showing up for his walks and attempts to contact him proved futile.

“I knew something was wrong when I didn’t hear from him over the weekend to go to [Kenneth] ‘Bop’ Campbell’s funeral. I was calling his phone and not getting him.

“It’s just sad. I didn’t even get to see the (Jamaica-Trinidad) game because I was devastated,” he said.

“Although many Santos players were great, Allan was magical. He was fantastic. Condolences to his family,” he added.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts pointed out that he watched Cole for many years and recalls him as the ultimate showman.

“I saw a lot of the great Vere team that included the Blair Brothers, the late Kenneth Bop Campbell, Orville Edwards, a Trinidadian name Anthony Douglas and. of course, Allan.

“I would have been seeing Allan for decades, and he has always thrilled and entertain his fans. He must go down as one of the greatest footballers this country has ever seen. And I dare to say, if Allan was playing now, he would have impacted the world,” Ricketts commented.

“When I heard he had passed I was deeply saddened, because we would have lost a legend, an icon. I want to personally, on behalf of the JFF, offer my sincere condolences, and may his soul rest in peace.”

He said players such as Cole and Lindy Delapenha, before him, were pioneers for Jamaican players moving overseas, and said the current crop of local footballers owe much to the trail blazed by these players.

“Allan and Lindy Delapenha would have been the trailblazers for a number of youngsters, who now ply their footballing trade overseas. He would have set the stage and was such a great entertainer.”

Minister of Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange said she is also truly sad at the passing of Jamaica’s greatest footballer.

“Skill, as we called him with much affection, was born to play the beautiful game. We recall with much pride that he started his international career for Jamaica just before his 15th birthday — that’s still a national record.

“We drew inspiration from his incredible skill and his unmatched records, including his exploits in Brazil.

“Our Jamaican was the first to play in the Brazillian league. Before Skill, no foreigner had played in the Brazillian league.

“Allan also contributed significantly to Jamaican music in his role as tour manager for Bob Marley and the Wailers, and as co-songwriter on the band’s megahit, War.

“Allan ‘Skill’ Cole was a dedicated son of Jamaica. He made us walk with our heads held high. We shall never forget his contribution.

“I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and all those who mourn him today. We shall miss him.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com