Allan ‘Skill’ Cole: A life of sport, music and World Cup predictions

Allan ‘Skill’ Cole believes in humility. The local football legend says it’s how he was brought up. “Regardless of what anyone has achieved, if one is not humble, all is lost,” he says of the guidance that has been embedded in him since he was a little boy.

“My father would teach me that I must not consider myself inferior or superior to anyone. I must always love and respect people. And you must always, if you can, try to help your brother and sister,” says the 72-year-old dreadlocked former striker.

In the late ‘60s, Cole left Jamaica to play in the North American Soccer League with the Atlanta Chiefs, and in the early ‘70s in Brazil with Náutico. He also represented Jamaica at an international level appearing in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, and to this day is considered one of Jamaica’s most celebrated footballers.

Cole is also known for his contribution to music through his friendship with reggae icon Bob Marley, and being his tour manager for much of the ‘70s. Asked how they met, his mellow voice explains via phone that he started to frequent Trench Town (Marley’s place of residence) often during his time at Kingston College. “There were so many luminaries in both music and sports in Trench Town,” he says. Later renowned Rastafarian elder Mortimer Planno introduced the two, and he says Marley who was a football fan looked at him from head to toe and then focused on his feet (the same feet that were able to score goals) and they struck up a friendship from there.

MARLEY AND ME

Our conversation leads me to question his thoughts on if Marley would still be relevant today if he were alive. “Even more,” says Cole.

Many think Marley’s time was cut much too short, yet while Cole misses his friend, he says, “Every man has a length of time to live. All of us. I think sey what he has accomplished was what he wanted to do. What he had to do, he did it well.” He pauses, reflects, then continues, “I think he accomplished what he came to do. He used to say he came to teach the people and wake them up, and he did.”

His last words to Marley? “History will be kind to you my friend.” Those words elicited a smile from the One Love crooner who was down in spirit while being treated for cancer in Germany. It would be the last time he saw him smile.

When asked if he still plays football. He says “no” but adds “I still juggle and do personal training” to keep fit.

His diet he says is “very good.” I ask him to elaborate, “I eat a lot of fish, especially salmon.” And while juicing has gained popularity in recent times, Cole is clear that he started juicing in the ‘70s. When he indulges in meat (very sparingly), it is curry goat made from “the real Jamaican ram”, and he likes lamb if he can find the right cuts.

WORLD CUP PREDICTION

I ask if he has been keeping up with the World Cup and he nonchalantly responds, “I’ve been trying to.” His team for this World Cup? France. But he is quick to point out, “I’m a fan of Brazilian football, I want you to understand that first and foremost…but I’m not a fanatic. When I see it, I call it.”

He says he’s been very fortunate to be able to call the last two World Cup winners with accuracy, and while he believes today’s match will be a very close game, he is cheering for France. “It will come down to is who comes up good on the day, and who has the proper plan to derail their opponent. When you are playing football, especially at this level your main objective is to take your opponent out of their game plan. So whoever comes up with the right game plan, should win.”

WINNING AND LOSING

Asked how he has been able to push through hard times and losing in life, he’s quick, “I think that one has to be mentally equipped.” Emphasising that he has won more than he has lost in life, he continues, “I have been able to overcome those types of things. You can’t win all of them. So one has to accept and move on.”

Concerning Rastafarianism being shunned as much as it was back in the day, noting the movement “was a problem for our colonial masters” he is resolute that “it didn’t matter what the status quo was saying. It was something that we knew would change and acted accordingly, even though times were hard and the persecution was there”.

I ask if he would agree that the ladies loved him throughout his life. He replies “of course”. But like a seasoned footballer, he tries to predict my following move and pre-empts my next question saying with a laugh, “I’m not going into that.” I’m not quite sure what “that” is, but don’t fumble and kick the ball right in his direction asking if he has anything to say to the women who have been in his life. He takes the ball with what can only be described as ‘skill’ and says, “I respect and honour all of them.”

Asking if he has any regrets in this life, he is quick and like a philosopher answers, “Let me tell you something. What has been done cannot be undone. Everything is an experience and you have to take it from there because. You can’t alter the things that have been. It was ordained to happen and that’s why it happened.”

He mentions he is grateful to his generation for all the love that they have shown him over the years and I let him know that younger generations love, respect and appreciate him too. I sense his smile through the phone as he says “I get that”.

How would Allan ‘Skill’ Cole like to be remembered? He closes with, “As a person who always wanted to put out a helping hand.”

debra.edwards@gleanerjm.com