Allan Cole (footballer)
Jamaican footballer (1950–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Allan Aloysius "Skill" Cole (14 October 1950 – 9 September 2025), was a Jamaican professional footballer who played as a forward. He represented Jamaica at international level.[1] During his career, Cole was Jamaica's "most celebrated player".[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 October 1950 | ||
| Place of birth | Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Date of death | 9 September 2025 (aged 74) | ||
| Place of death | Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1965–1968 | Vere Technical | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1968 | Atlanta Chiefs | 1 | (0) |
| 1968–1969 | Real Mona | ||
| 1969–1972 | Boys' Town | ||
| 1972 | Náutico | 3 | (0) |
| 1973–1977 | Santos | ||
| International career | |||
| Jamaica | |||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
In addition to his football career, Cole was also the tour manager of the Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley and his band The Wailers during the 1970s.[2]
Early years
Cole was born on 14 October 1950, and grew up in the middle-income neighbourhood of Woodford Park in Kingston, Jamaica. His father, Allan Cole Sr, was a civil servant, and his mother was a dressmaker.[3]
Career
Cole played in the North American Soccer League with the Atlanta Chiefs and in Brazil with Náutico.[4][1]
He appeared in three FIFA World Cup qualifying matches for the Jamaica national team.[5]
Music
Cole is credited on Bob Marley and the Wailers' Rastaman Vibration album as co-writing the 1976 song "War", though according to The Guardian the lyrics were actually from a speech by Haile Selassie that Cole brought to Marley's attention.[3]
