143 Dave Cole

Position : Centre half (also played as a forward)

Played : 1989-90 to 1990-91

Appearances : 84

Goals : 7

The next two signings really chuffed me because when the released list came out in summer 1989 I picked them out as people we should sign. Terry Dolan (not on my advice I reluctantly admit) did just that. Dave was originally spotted playing on the Isle of Man by Sunderland but left them for Swansea without making an appearance. After 8 appearances he was let go by John Bond (always a good recommendation) and signed for Swindon. There he won a Fourth Division Championship medal in 1986 but was dropped after five appearances the following season. He signed for Torquay making an impressive debut in the memorable 3-3 draw at Spotland in November 1986. Despite making 110 appearances in less than three years at Plainmoor he was released in May 1989.

Dave was the ultimate no-nonsense centre half who marked the big man, won his headers and got a few goals from corners. There wasn't much else to his game but he was an effective part of the five-man defence. He only missed three games due to a sending-off at Scarborough for abusing a linesman who'd missed an obvious handball in the lead up to a goal. This continued as Dave was leaving the pitch and the referee came running over to which Dave said "What you going to do , send me off again ?". Dave bought a house in Walsden and drank in Littleborough proving a good source of dressing room gossip particularly concerning a young lady who was around the club at the time (I daren't say any more). The following season was frustrating for Dave as he was dropped to the bench to accomodate Steve O Shaughnessy who had had to vacate his midfield spot to Chris Lee. When Dave Sutton took over he started playing Dave up front to predictably little effect.

On his release he joined O Shaughnessy in moving to Exeter but only made two appearances before moving on to Merthyr Tydfil, Newport and Cinderford Town.. In an unhappy postscript, in 2007 Dave received a C.S.O. for having some pictures of under-18s amidst his porn collection thus falling foul of the absurd law relating to 16-17 year olds that you can touch but not look.