KING COLE DISPLAYS A HEART OF GOLD
King Cole displays a heart of gold
By JEANETTE OLDHAM
MANCHESTER United's star striker Andy Cole played a blinder yesterday during a morale-boosting visit to Omagh.
The soccer ace was mobbed by. scores of female fans and children as he took time out from his busy schedule to meet emergency staff at Tyrone County Hospital.
He chatted to members of the police, fire and ambulance crews who ferried bomb victims to the hospital and treated appalling injuries.
And he was clearly touched by the warm welcome he received and the accounts of courage and selflessness .
He explained why he felt compelled to visit the town: "At 3pm on the day the bomb went off I was full of hope for the coming season. Everything in life seemed perfect.
"By ten past three that day hope had been shattered for the community of Omagh. At that time I was unaware of the horror that had taken place.
"By 5.30pm the result of a football match didn't seem that important.
"That day I was presented with the Manchester United Supporters' Club Player of the Year Award. Immediately I felt that I should do something but I didn't know what."
He thanked members of the Omagh Manchester United Supporters' Club, in particular Brendan McLaughlin, for helping organise the trip.
And he added: "I hope my visit, in some small way, can help the community recover for a better tomorrow."
By JEANETTE OLDHAM
MANCHESTER United's star striker Andy Cole played a blinder yesterday during a morale-boosting visit to Omagh.
The soccer ace was mobbed by. scores of female fans and children as he took time out from his busy schedule to meet emergency staff at Tyrone County Hospital.
He chatted to members of the police, fire and ambulance crews who ferried bomb victims to the hospital and treated appalling injuries.
And he was clearly touched by the warm welcome he received and the accounts of courage and selflessness .
He explained why he felt compelled to visit the town: "At 3pm on the day the bomb went off I was full of hope for the coming season. Everything in life seemed perfect.
"By ten past three that day hope had been shattered for the community of Omagh. At that time I was unaware of the horror that had taken place.
"By 5.30pm the result of a football match didn't seem that important.
"That day I was presented with the Manchester United Supporters' Club Player of the Year Award. Immediately I felt that I should do something but I didn't know what."
He thanked members of the Omagh Manchester United Supporters' Club, in particular Brendan McLaughlin, for helping organise the trip.
And he added: "I hope my visit, in some small way, can help the community recover for a better tomorrow."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/137
Published Date: 01-Dec-98
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