Joe Cole will never forget cleaning the toilet floors ahead of his first West Ham debut – and intends to make the most of a second chance at Upton Park.
The 31-year-old returned to his boyhood club after moving on a free transfer from Liverpool, and looks set to go straight into the squad for today’s third-round tie against Manchester United. Cole emerged from West Ham’s academy to sign professional terms in 1998, becoming a firm fans’ favourite before leaving for Chelsea in 2003 after his side were relega-ted from the Premier League.
The midfielder made his first-team bow back in January 1999, in an FA Cup tie against Swansea.
“I can remember I was cleaning the changing room floors when big Frank (Lampard senior) came in and said to me ‘You got a suit son? You’re in the squad tomorrow’,” Cole said.
“I had to finish cleaning the floors, finish cleaning the khazi floors too, then got myself home and drove to the ground four hours early as I was really nervous.
“I came on when we were 1-0 down and Julian Dicks scored the goal that took us to a replay, then bang, you are there – gone from being a schoolboy to being a pro footballer.”
Had things turned out differently Cole could have moved to Old Trafford, having turned down an invitation to join the first-team squad at Wembley for the 1996 FA Cup final.
“Sir Alex Ferguson did want to sign me as a young kid, but I had made my decision to come here as all my pals were here and I was very comfortable here as a youngster,” Cole recalled.
“They asked me to go the Cup final with them, but it wouldn’t have been right going along and taking in all the razzmatazz of the day. I was only 13 at the time, but it wouldn’t have been right because I knew I was going to sign for West Ham, so we said no because I didn’t want to lead anyone on.”
Cole feels happy to be “home” again following a difficult spell at Liverpool, which saw him spend last season on loan in France at Lille.
The creative midfielder, whose previous England appearance came in defeat to Germany at the 2010 World Cup, is adamant there is still more to come.
“I have had a great career, but by no means am I finished. I want to win things here and play for England again,” said Cole.
“I will be inspired here, I can feel how I felt as a youngster – hungry to play in the first team and hungry to play for England, hungry to win things.
“I play my best football when I am happy. If I am playing consistently and I am happy, then I am sure I can still be the same player I was.”
But United will be hoping to ruin Cole’s return as boss Ferguson still believes in the romance of the cup – and eager to end their nine-year win for the trophy.
“The FA Cup is still the best domestic tournament in the world,” he said. “The Champions League is a bigger challenge.
“But even though I don’t believe the semi-finals should be played at Wembley, the FA Cup still has the romance about it. You are waiting for that draw. And we are a hot ball at the moment.”
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