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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 30 April 2007 |
With the season now over John Still will no doubt be looking at his squad to see what he needs to do to maintain the Club's progress in League Two next season.
Wholesale changes are not expected, but there will of course be one or two comings and goings. One man who looks set to leave the club is legend Tim Cole.
Tim joined the club from Leyton Pennant (I think that was their name then!) in the Spring of 1997. Although Tim played in some league games at the end of that season he could not play in the Club's amazing run to the Trophy final as he was cup tied. Over the next three seasons Tim established himself as a regular in the side. Never the quickest player, Tim read the game well and endeared himself to the Club's fans with his physical approach to the game, and with his ability in the air. This helped Tim to become the Club's player of the year in both the 97/98 season and the Ryman Championship winning season of 99/00.
During the 00/01 season Tim continued to prove his worth to the Club. He continued to be a regular in the side, and played in the two epic FA Cup games with Charlton Athletic where the Daggers back four of Cole, Ashley Vickers, Lee Goodwin and Lee Matthews won many plaudits from neutrals and the media.
Tim suffered a frustrating start to the 01/02 season due to injuries, and when he came on as a substitute for his first run out of the season, against Leyton Orient during a famous 3-2 Daggers win, he lasted less than five minutes before aggravating the injury and putting himself out for a further few months. Tim returned to the side later that season but found it hard to become a regular in the side at that time. However, he did notch one of his 30 goals for the Daggers in the final game win over Chester City, a result which could not stop the Daggers missing out on the Conference title on goal difference.
With an abundance of centre halves at the club, Tim was sent out on loan to Gravesend early in the 02/03 season. Tim made 5 appearances for the Kent side, and scored one goal with a trademark header, and his wholehearted approach made him a firm favourite with the Club's fans during his brief stay. On his return to the Daggers Tim struggled to get a regular place in the side, but come the end of season play offs Tim was very much involved. He started both legs of the epic Semi Final with Morecambe, and it was in the second leg at Christie Park that Tim became a real legend in many fans eyes. With injuries and fatigue kicking in, Tim was pushed upfront in extra time and put in one of the most wholehearted performances you will see. He hit the bar from 20 yards as Dagenham pushed for a winner, and ran his socks off in the stifling heat. He still had time to gee up the travelling fans behind the goal, and it was on that day that the "Timmy Cole" chant became a regular tune on the terraces. Tim also played his part in the dramatic final against Doncaster which was to end in heartbreak once again.
Tim again struggled with injuries at the start of the 03/04 season, but he returned to the side in September and netted the winner in a 1-0 win at Northwich. Tim then continued to be a regular for most of the season and after Lee Matthew's departure for Hornchurch in December, Tim took on the Captain's armband, and scored a crucial goal in a 2-0 win at Stevenage. However, it was to be disastrous season for the Daggers overall and nobody will have taken the humiliating 9-0 loss to Hereford worse than Tim. However, Tim's performances in the 03/04 season were one of the only bright spots for the Daggers faithful. He continued to put 110% in every week, and deservedly took the Player of the Year award for the 3rd time!!
Tim continued to wear the armband in the 04/05 season under the returning John Still. In another tough season for the Daggers, the experience and effort of Cole and fellow defender Ashley Vickers helped to guide the many youngsters in the side in the right direction. Tim suffered yet more injury misery through the second half of the season, and this yet again limited his appearances in the side.
The start of the 05/06 season saw Tim continue to struggle with injuries, but he battled on to return to the squad at the end of October, and by November Tim was back at the heart of the Daggers defence. Tim inspired the team to the quarter finals of the FA Trophy as captain, before they unfortunately lost 4-2 in a replay against Grays Athletic. Tim then suffered yet another injury in the last home game of the season against Kidderminster.
This season Tim has suffered with injuries and fitness, and has struggled to gain a regular place in the squad. He returned from his early season injury to start in the 0-0 draw at Gravesend, where despite clearly not being fully fit he gave 110% as usual before picking up yet another injury during the game and having to go off. He then started only two more league games all season, at Exeter and at home to Altrincham. However, he did play several games with the Academy side where his experience and enthusiasm will surely have rubbed off on the Club's youngsters.
Tim made what will almost certainly be his final appearance for the Club on Saturday during the win over Gravesend. After coming on the in the second half at centre half, he ironically played the last 30 minutes upfront (shades of Morecambe 03!!), but could not crown his last appearance with the goal he and the crowd wanted to see. At the end Tim received one of the loudest cheers of the day as he went up to receive his Championship medal. On the lap of honour afterwards, an emotional Tim looked like a man who had just made his last appearance for the club.
All in all Tim has been at the club for over 10 years. He has made 304 competitive appearances for the club and has scored 30 goals. But for the injuries he suffered, Tim would undoubtedly have made nearer 400 appearances. But statistics don't tell all the story. Tim remained at the club through many different eras. He was there when the club appeared at Wembley (even though he did not play), there when they won the Ryman League, there when their FA Cup exploits made National headlines, there when they twice came so close to promotion to the Football League, there when John Still started his rebuilding, and there on Saturday when the Daggers finally got their hands on the Conference Trophy. Tim was also an inspirational player to have around the club. Even in the last few months where injuries have limited his first team chances, he has been geeing up the crowd, having time for the fans and helping out the youngsters in the Academy side. And when he was on the bench for the first team Tim could be seen encouraging and supporting his team mates. Although Tim could sometimes be a hot-head, and there were a few sendings off and bookings along the way, this was mainly due to the fact that Tim wanted to win so much and wanted the Club to do well. Through the tough times of the last few seasons Tim was always there, and at times the likes of him and Ashely Vickers helped to keep the side afloat as the youngsters gained valuable experience.
There is talk of a Testimonial for Tim at the start of next season, and I am sure all Daggers fans would support this. I am sure at 30 years old Tim still has a lot to offer another non league club, and next season he will probably be playing his heart out for another club in the area, maybe at Billericay under the guidance of his old team mates Matt Jones and Jason Broom?? But on behalf of all Daggers fans, the Upminster Daggers would like to thank Tim for his efforts over the past 10 years, and if Tim does leave, he will be sadly missed.
"Ooh, Timmy Cole, Timmy Timmy Timmy Cole................." |
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