Cole Puts The Record Right

Ex-Newcastle striker Andy Cole says he doesn't quite know what to expect when he returns to St James' Park on Wednesday. Once the Toon Army hero, he says he wouldn't be surprised if the reception at Newcastle is a bit hostile.

Kevin Keegan shocked us all when he sold Cole to Manchester United in a £6million deal that brought Keith Gillespie to Tyneside. But his 55 goals in 70 league matches will go down in Geordie history.

Alan Shearer has broken all Newcastle records but one - he never managed (or came near) Cole's Newcastle's all-time scoring record of 41 goals in season in all competitions.

Was he right to leave? To be honest, it was Newcastle that made the decision to cash in on him. He won four Premiership titles as well as two cup winners medals in his six seasons at Old Trafford.

Cole: 'It is like I have always said. If you have set out in your career to win things and Manchester United come calling you cannot turn them down.

'At the time I was happy at Newcastle and said I would only leave them to join Manchester United which, in the end, I was fortunate enough to do.

'People have got to realise it was totally out of my hands. It was a chance I could not refuse but sometimes over the years the reception I've had hasn't been the greatest - probably because it was (Manchester) United I joined.'

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