When the likes of Ballack and Belletti moved on in the Summer I posted a picture dedication thread to them, a place to have a look at a few snap shots of their playing days with the club. I never did one for Joe Cole, I was bitter and it was too painful. Although he hadn't been at his best since 2006, I still felt hurt that he had left - to join Liverpool of all places.

I wanted to gloat and enjoy the reaction of Liverpool fans with regards to Cole's current form, so I went onto RAWK and read all their excited/pleased/bragging posts when they signed him (he was the missing link, a quality player, world class, best days in front of him etc) to their thoughts on him now. Reading how he's fat, useless, unfit, there for the money, crap and a waste of money was supposed to make me feel smug, but it didn't. I thought I hated him - I thought I was glad to see his career takes this turn, but I'm not.

His quotes upon leaving about Liverpool's atmosphere and his 5 fingered salute aside, looking back at the pictures I'm about to post made me realise I hated him so much for leaving because I loved him so much. It's taken 8 months for me to realise and gain some perspective.

So, a much belated picture dedication to Joe Cole - 2003-2010 at Chelsea Football Club, thanks for 7 years of service Joe.

Thank you Joe.

To be honest I dont know what to thank J Cole for more. He did fantastic things for us years ago and that back heel at OT more recently....... but that false hope he gave Liverpool (siging of the season! He will bring us back to Europe! Liverpool fans cried!) just to allow it all to blow up in their facea.... hahaha well as a Chelsea fan (or football fan in general) that was priceless too Joey.

I also want to thank him, though it is never mentioned for `some`reason, for showing how much classier Chelsea fans are than Pool fans (in general).... He was far more a Chelsea lad than Torres was ever a Liverpool lad, and we didnt even get a fee for Joey as compared to the 50mil Torres got Liverpool..... and yet aside from many fans (myself included) being upset he never thanked us, their wasnt much of a negative reaction to JColes move.....let alone threats, kit burnings and mass media attacks from former Chelsea players and fans.

Cheers!

about time to see some kind of thanks to be honest...the reaction from many people on here, many of whom wanted to see him go in the first place, was pathetic (despite his ill advised i want to please the fans of new club, i will say what they want to hear bollox)

Nice one Gem, I too felt extremely bitter when he moved oop north. Most scousepool fans have taken to slagging him off now. I actually defended him to a dipper the other day, the same conversation 6 months back would've been the other way round.( I refered to him as Joke Hole for a while). I'm williing to admit (cough) he gave us his best. His pro dipper comments were hard to swallow, but he wore our shirt with pride.

Quality player, though towards the end of his Chelsea days seemed to be injured more often than not and never really got going at 100% again. Still, having said that I wouldn't mind having him in the squad this season to throw on and create something when we were playing sh*t.

Good fots Gem, thanks.

Gutted when he left to join the scousers, thanks for 7 years of service Joe.

Edited March 20, 201115 yr by Andreas

Had the same feeling when Poyet left, but in both cases they left because they were not really wanted anymore. He let himself down with the quotes but he loved it at Chelsea, in hinesite would always applaud him if he came back (perhaps not whilst in the red shirt though).

about time to see some kind of thanks to be honest...the reaction from many people on here, many of whom wanted to see him go in the first place, was pathetic (despite his ill advised i want to please the fans of new club, i will say what they want to hear bollox)

That would be my sentiments exactly, I'ts always a bad feeling when a favourite player leaves and much worse to a rival, Liverpool / Spurs being the worst, Joey was one of my favourite players here and I could never change my opinion of him, I knew he was not the player he was but still seeing him playing for them is painful.

I'd never blame a player though as careers in this game are short and getting as much financial reward as possible while they can command ridiculous wages is something not many of us could really get our heads round, I'm sure £90000 a wekk would make some of us say nice things about a new employer.

Great Pics Gem and some great memories there.

Edited March 20, 201115 yr by Chippy

Such a shame he had to be greedy and choose the scousers. Was brilliant on his day, and i still remember his performance against Spurs in our 4-4 draw a few seasons ago. Looked like Maradona that night. Thank you but i cannot like you anymore.

I still love Coley I'll be honest I don't get the hostility towards him, I don't think he left on bad terms his contract ended and he left. Sure he went to Liverpool but it doesn't really matter to me and he's probably done us a favour leaving cause he's clearly not even the same player he was last season.

Also who will ever forget this goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly1nUJgBffs

Edited March 20, 201115 yr by Bobbywoodhogan

I never was much of a Joey fan, perhaps because I'm not English. He usually just annoyed the hell out of me, so I wasn't too bothered with him leaving as some were. Nevertheless, he was a Chelsea player who gave us some (though not enough) beautiful moments. Wonderful pics, Gem.

BTW, did we sign him when he was 12? He looks so young in some photos!

I never was much of a Joey fan, perhaps because I'm not English. He usually just annoyed the hell out of me, so I wasn't too bothered with him leaving as some were. Nevertheless, he was a Chelsea player who gave us some (though not enough) beautiful moments. Wonderful pics, Gem.

BTW, did we sign him when he was 12? He looks so young in some photos!

Are Dutch policemen starting to look young to you, Val?

Are Dutch policemen starting to look young to you, Val?

Yes, and surgeons, physios, etc... Makes me want to ask to show me their diplomas. But you'll have to admit Joe looks young here and there!

It didnt really bother me that he went to the dippers, it did bother me that he didnt feel the need to thank the fans for the backing he had received during a very up and down career at Chelsea, and though I understand why he felt the need to big up his new club, I dont think he should really have said things about them having the bestest fans ever etc without mentioning us fans. Also, the fact he thought he deserved a massive pay rise at Chelsea after 2 mediocre seasons with us wasnt the best thing to do.

All I can see is frogs!

Excellent thread, Gem. Brings back a lot of fond memories.

I've personally found it hard to be mad at him - if he's done something that's pissed us off, I'm sure it's because of stupidity and not malice.

Best of luck to you, Joey, and worst of luck to your club.

Edited March 21, 201115 yr by Virosh

Some great memories there,from a player who deep down,is a good lad.I think in the era of the megastar player and with the bad advice of hangers-on,joe lost his way.He moved to liverspots for the cash and not for his career ,which i guess isn't always such a good thing.One request to all on here is not to slag off old players like joe, because then you sound just like one of those ferkers from scouseland,and there can't be much worse than that.

I love it when Chelsea old boys come back to Chelsea and get cheered by the fans, it shows that the club was and is more to them than just someone who paid their wages. A recent example was Jimmy Floyd who apologised after scoring against us (still rather he missed it but what can you do!)

I can't think of many ex-players who get booed at Chelsea, the only one in my memory is Gallas, which I understand but despite the terms he left under I remember the great things he did and the way he got us Ashley Cole and have no complaints.

Poyet came on recently as a half time guest and you could see he looked a little nervous expecting, maybe, to get some jeers, but looked so happy as he was applauded around the pitch.

Booing achieves nothing except to vent frustration and let's be honest, over recent years, unlike Liverpool, we've not had too much to be frustrated about!

On another related note I'm a little fed up of all the booing that goes on around the country of England players when the drop outs and early retirees like Scholes and Carragher get it easy for not even trying. Just had to get that off my chest!

I wish Joe good luck, I hope he finishes a poor season at Liverpool and then gets a move to a club in Spain where he sees a resurgence of form for club and country.

Some great memories there,from a player who deep down,is a good lad.I think in the era of the megastar player and with the bad advice of hangers-on,joe lost his way.He moved to liverspots for the cash and not for his career ,which i guess isn't always such a good thing.One request to all on here is not to slag off old players like joe, because then you sound just like one of those ferkers from scouseland,and there can't be much worse than that.

Well said mate and thanks to Gem for a the thread and some great photo's.

I still maintain that Joe didn't leave for the cash. Looking at those pics, it's easy for all to see that the lad just loves playing football. He's never happier than when he's playing and doing his stuff on the pitch and it must have been a real wrench for him when he knew he couldn't be guaranteed any playing time with us. I bet in hindsight he wishes he had chosen a move back to West Ham and I still wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't go back there although the way his form and fitness has declined, he may even struggle to hold down a place with The Spammers.

But great memories. Things are looking a lot better for us of late but I'd always find room in my starting 11 for a Joe Cole at the top of his game.