Former Chelsea player Joe Cole revealed in his autobiography that the 2009 FA Cup Final was unforgettable for him—he completely missed the entire final against Everton after drinking and partying all night before this crucial match.
What’s even more outrageous is that he slept through the whole game, and only found out that Chelsea had lifted the trophy when the team’s kit manager, Mick Roberts, returned to the dressing room and told him the result.
Later, he went out to celebrate the championship with the whole team, but he admitted that he was plagued by injuries during that period and his form plummeted. This was by no means a "highlight moment" of his career. He also emphasized that it is crucial to face his mistakes honestly.
The former England international had a career that took him to clubs including West Ham United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa, and he also played abroad for Lille and Tampa Bay Rowdies. He openly disclosed this past event in his autobiography Joe Cole: The Gifted One.
“Kit manager Mick Roberts noticed I wasn’t right. He said to me, ‘Mate, you look terrible—go lie down over there,’ then he settled me in the gap between the bins, which was like a little makeshift nest for a kid.”
“I slept there until he came back and told me the team had won the FA Cup. Then we went out to celebrate together.”
“That was by no means a highlight of my career. I let my professional standards drop drastically, but I have to face it honestly.”
“Honesty is important. You can’t just write about the glorious years in your autobiography and say nothing about the mistakes you made.”
In that final, Chelsea came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 and successfully lifted the FA Cup trophy.
