Allan “Skill” Cole, a Jamaican footballer, and a close friend of the legendary reggae musician Bob Marley passed away at the age of 74. Their bond was forged not just through football but also their shared connection to the Rastafari movement. Cole’s journey with Marley began in the mid-1960s on a football pitch in Kingston’s Trenchtown district, where they discovered their mutual love for the game and music.
As fate would have it, Cole became not just Marley’s running partner but also the manager of the Wailers, Marley’s band, alongside Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Cole’s influence extended beyond the football field as he played a pivotal role in establishing the Tuff Gong record label for the Wailers, propelling their music to local and international acclaim.
Cole’s exceptional talent as a footballer led him to represent Jamaica at a remarkably young age and play for teams like the Atlanta Chiefs in the North American Soccer League and Clube Náutico Capibaribe in Brazil. His skills on the field were matched by his strategic acumen off it, as seen in his involvement in the Wailers’ success and the legal battles that ensued.
Despite his successes, Cole faced challenges, including a controversial incident involving a race-fixing scheme at Kingston’s horse-racing track, which inadvertently linked him to a failed assassination attempt on Marley. Fearing for his safety, Cole sought refuge in Ethiopia, coaching the national football team while maintaining his connection to Marley through European tours.
Following Marley’s passing, Cole returned to his first love, football, taking on roles as a player/coach for various teams in Jamaica. His life took a tumultuous turn in the 90s when he faced legal troubles, including a notable arrest for possession of a significant amount of cannabis. Despite these setbacks, Cole managed to navigate his way out of prison time.
In his later years, Cole delved into filmmaking, working on a Bob Marley biopic to set the record straight on the icon’s life amidst a sea of misinformation. His personal life saw its share of ups and downs, including a separation from Judy Mowatt, with whom he had three children, and later marrying Sharon.
Allan Aloysius Cole’s legacy as a footballer and music manager endures, leaving behind a rich tapestry of experiences that intertwine the worlds of sports, music, and friendship. His passing marks the end of an era, but his impact on the cultural landscape of Jamaica and beyond will continue to resonate for years to come.
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