Post by jenelle on Jun 22, 2006 22:31:28 GMT
THE mother of England defender Ashley Cole admits her son’s participation in the World Cup is "a dream come true" as she looks ahead to the biggest game of his career on Friday.
Injuries permitting Ashley, born and bred in Tower Hamlets and a product of the borough’s district team, will step out against Argentina in a game that could decide England’s future in the tournament.
As we went to press Sue, who used to work at Culloden School and Bow Boys, was preparing to watch Ashley in action in the opener against Sweden.
"Two years ago he wasn’t in the Arsenal team and nobody had really heard of him," she said. "Now he’s in the England team and playing with the likes of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry at Arsenal."
Sue confessed that she will be nervous watching him, more so than when he plays for Arsenal. But her biggest emotion will be "pride" in a son she describes as "wonderful."
"Ashley still keeps in touch with his friends from Puma FC, his old junior club, and still lives in the borough at Wapping. He lives near Ledley King too, who also came through the same district side."
Sue, who will be moving shortly to a house in Essex, bought by Ashley, says she hopes to fly out to the Far East to catch some of the action.
"It would be strange if England played France because Ashley and Sol (Campbell) play with many of the French team at Arsenal. Hopefully it will be in the final if they play France."
She says the hardest part of having such a high-profile footballer as a son is the excessive media publicity, particularly when things aren’t going well.
"I guess that’s all part of being a footballer now, but Ashley will always be wonderful for me."
Strangely Ashley always played as a striker for his junior teams and it was only after joining Arsenal as a nine-year-old that he switched to defence.
"He got 50 goals one season but one day he turned up at Arsenal and they asked him to play left back and he’s been there ever since," she said.
As for Friday, she will be glued to the game with the rest of the nation.
"It’s a massive game," she said. "I’ll be watching it with my sister, hopefully we’ll all be celebrating afterwards."
Injuries permitting Ashley, born and bred in Tower Hamlets and a product of the borough’s district team, will step out against Argentina in a game that could decide England’s future in the tournament.
As we went to press Sue, who used to work at Culloden School and Bow Boys, was preparing to watch Ashley in action in the opener against Sweden.
"Two years ago he wasn’t in the Arsenal team and nobody had really heard of him," she said. "Now he’s in the England team and playing with the likes of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry at Arsenal."
Sue confessed that she will be nervous watching him, more so than when he plays for Arsenal. But her biggest emotion will be "pride" in a son she describes as "wonderful."
"Ashley still keeps in touch with his friends from Puma FC, his old junior club, and still lives in the borough at Wapping. He lives near Ledley King too, who also came through the same district side."
Sue, who will be moving shortly to a house in Essex, bought by Ashley, says she hopes to fly out to the Far East to catch some of the action.
"It would be strange if England played France because Ashley and Sol (Campbell) play with many of the French team at Arsenal. Hopefully it will be in the final if they play France."
She says the hardest part of having such a high-profile footballer as a son is the excessive media publicity, particularly when things aren’t going well.
"I guess that’s all part of being a footballer now, but Ashley will always be wonderful for me."
Strangely Ashley always played as a striker for his junior teams and it was only after joining Arsenal as a nine-year-old that he switched to defence.
"He got 50 goals one season but one day he turned up at Arsenal and they asked him to play left back and he’s been there ever since," she said.
As for Friday, she will be glued to the game with the rest of the nation.
"It’s a massive game," she said. "I’ll be watching it with my sister, hopefully we’ll all be celebrating afterwards."