Cole: I owe my whole career to Bristol City
Andy Cole believes he would not have become a Manchester United and Premier League legend without his formative spell at Bristol City, our Carabao Cup quarter-final opponents.
The former England international began his professional playing career at Arsenal and made one senior appearance for the Gunners, before joining the Robins on loan in March 1992.
Later that summer, Cole became Bristol’s most-expensive player in history following a £500,000 transfer and he went on to score 12 goals in 29 matches throughout that 1992/93 campaign. The striker’s impressive record attracted the interest of Newcastle United and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ahead of our League Cup tie at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night, Cole spoke exclusively to MUTV's Stewart Gardner about the importance of his time with Bristol and why he owes his career to them…
You played at Ashton Gate in 1992/93 - has it changed since then?
Just a little bit! The stadium is definitely now to Premier League standard. Unfortunately, when I played here in the early 1990s, it was nowhere near that. But the chairman who owns the club has put his money in, and quite a bit of money, and it is now Premier League standard for sure.
Later that summer, Cole became Bristol’s most-expensive player in history following a £500,000 transfer and he went on to score 12 goals in 29 matches throughout that 1992/93 campaign. The striker’s impressive record attracted the interest of Newcastle United and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ahead of our League Cup tie at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night, Cole spoke exclusively to MUTV's Stewart Gardner about the importance of his time with Bristol and why he owes his career to them…
You played at Ashton Gate in 1992/93 - has it changed since then?
Just a little bit! The stadium is definitely now to Premier League standard. Unfortunately, when I played here in the early 1990s, it was nowhere near that. But the chairman who owns the club has put his money in, and quite a bit of money, and it is now Premier League standard for sure.
How important was that part of your career?
It was massive. Personally, without this, I don't think I would have achieved what I did in my career. For me to come to Bristol City at that time was a massive part of my career. I am forever indebted to them, for spending that kind of money on a kid who had basically played half a game. £500,000 was a lot of money back then.
You had a good partnership with Dariusz ‘Jackie’ Dziekanowski...
Yeah, what a player he was! I was here for a year and then I was sold. The senior pros helped me out, and there were a lot of good senior pros. You mention Jackie, there was Wayne Allison, Leroy Rosenior, Russell Osman, who took over as manager after Denis Smith got sacked.
It was massive. Personally, without this, I don't think I would have achieved what I did in my career. For me to come to Bristol City at that time was a massive part of my career. I am forever indebted to them, for spending that kind of money on a kid who had basically played half a game. £500,000 was a lot of money back then.
You had a good partnership with Dariusz ‘Jackie’ Dziekanowski...
Yeah, what a player he was! I was here for a year and then I was sold. The senior pros helped me out, and there were a lot of good senior pros. You mention Jackie, there was Wayne Allison, Leroy Rosenior, Russell Osman, who took over as manager after Denis Smith got sacked.
Do you think this will be a test for United?
It will be because Bristol City are playing really good football. There is a big difference to last season when I thought they struggled a lot. But the way they have started this season has been great. I watched them at Sheffield United and they got a good result. This is the quarter final of the cup, though, so you would expect a tough test. Man United are playing well. It wasn't the best result against Man City, but I still believe they should have enough to come here and win.
What sort of team will Jose Mourinho pick?
There is no doubt that he will shuffle the pack because the festive period is upon us and there are a lot of games coming up. But whatever team he puts out will be strong, because this is Manchester United. There are some good players who haven't played as many minutes as they would have liked, so they might get an opportunity.
It will be because Bristol City are playing really good football. There is a big difference to last season when I thought they struggled a lot. But the way they have started this season has been great. I watched them at Sheffield United and they got a good result. This is the quarter final of the cup, though, so you would expect a tough test. Man United are playing well. It wasn't the best result against Man City, but I still believe they should have enough to come here and win.
What sort of team will Jose Mourinho pick?
There is no doubt that he will shuffle the pack because the festive period is upon us and there are a lot of games coming up. But whatever team he puts out will be strong, because this is Manchester United. There are some good players who haven't played as many minutes as they would have liked, so they might get an opportunity.
Do you see the boss taking it really seriously?
Yes! It is a trophy. However people want to look at the League Cup, it gets you into Europe, it is a bit of silverware and your name is written on the cup. There is no doubt he will take it seriously. He won it last season, so why not this season as well?
Tickets sold out quickly - what will the atmosphere be like?
It will be buzzing and you know the fans here are very passionate. Manchester United are coming to town and that doesn't happen every week. It will be a great atmosphere, there are two good teams, one doing well in the Championship and the other in the Premier League, so it will be a good game.
Watch the full interview with Andy Cole from 18:00 GMT on Wednesday when the club channel's live build-up to the Carabao Cup tie against Bristol City begins from Ashton Gate.
Yes! It is a trophy. However people want to look at the League Cup, it gets you into Europe, it is a bit of silverware and your name is written on the cup. There is no doubt he will take it seriously. He won it last season, so why not this season as well?
Tickets sold out quickly - what will the atmosphere be like?
It will be buzzing and you know the fans here are very passionate. Manchester United are coming to town and that doesn't happen every week. It will be a great atmosphere, there are two good teams, one doing well in the Championship and the other in the Premier League, so it will be a good game.
Watch the full interview with Andy Cole from 18:00 GMT on Wednesday when the club channel's live build-up to the Carabao Cup tie against Bristol City begins from Ashton Gate.
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