Mitchell Cole dies, aged 27

  • Last Updated: December 1 2012, 13:52 GMT

Former Southend, Stevenage and Oxford player Mitchell Cole has died at the age of 27.

Mitchell Cole with the FA Trophy in 2007.
Mitchell Cole with the FA Trophy in 2007.

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Cole had been forced to retire as a professional player last year due to a rare heart defect.

Writing on their official twitter feed, the Football League said: "We are sad to hear former Southend, Stevenage and Oxford player Mitchell Cole has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Cole scored for Stevenage in the win against Kidderminster at Wembley in the 2007 FA Trophy Final.

Despite retiring from the professional game last year, Cole did make a handful of non-league appearances, some of which came for Arlesey Town.