West Ham legend Carlton Cole has never been one to shy away from a good story, but his latest revelation has fans and former teammates alike in stitches. On the debut episode of 'In The Mixer,' a new podcast brought to life by Sky Bet, the 41-year-old former striker peeled back the curtain on one of the most memorable pranks ever to hit the England national team camp. The culprits? None other than fellow England forwards Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe, with Cole as their unsuspecting mark.
"I was away with England," Cole began, his voice brimming with nostalgia and a hint of embarrassment. "I actually forgot about this before speaking with Jermain Defoe. He was part of it, he's a wrong 'un! He spiked me basically." The prank in question? Rooney had slyly handed Cole a blue pill, disguised as a new supplement—one Cole was told to take as part of the team's morning routine. Only later did he realize, amid a chorus of laughter from his teammates, that he had just swallowed a Viagra pill.
"This is what it was. We used to get little supplements with our food sometimes in the morning. Just supplements. So Wayne Rooney, he put something down that I didn't know, it was this little thing," Cole recounted. "He goes, 'Oh, take that as well. That's the new one.' It was blue. I can't remember exactly how it went, but I've gone, 'Yeah, yeah.' I just want to be around the lads. I'm trying to impress. I'm trying to make sure I'm doing everything. So, I'm going, 'Yeah, man.' The thing is, I've taken it, washed it back, but I didn't notice anything, and everyone's laughing behind me."
Only after noticing the snickers and sideways glances did Cole realize something was up. "It's only until [I'm] like, 'Why is everyone laughing?' And everyone's going, 'Well, that was Viagra that you took. That blue pill.' I was like, 'Oh, serious?'" he said, still incredulous years later. The moment, immortalized now in podcast lore, quickly became the stuff of legend—Cole, running around the training pitch, the butt of a joke that would follow him for years to come.
"But obviously, how am I supposed to even know? Who's come to training with a Viagra pill anyway? Like, what are you doing? And then you give it to me. Like, it's bang out of order. Anything could have happened, you know? And a lot did happen that day at training. Nice to see you. Nice to say that I was probably the quickest on the pitch, yeah. So I was running with three legs," he joked, drawing laughter from the podcast hosts and listeners alike.
This wasn’t just any old training session, either. The year was 2009, and Cole was at the peak of his club career, having just bagged a career-high 12 Premier League goals for West Ham in the 2008/09 season. That form earned him a coveted call-up to Fabio Capello’s England squad, where he made his international debut in a friendly against Spain. Despite failing to find the net in seven appearances for the Three Lions, Cole’s impact on the squad’s camaraderie—and his own ability to take a joke—left a lasting impression.
Cole’s football journey is one marked by perseverance and a touch of humor. Born and raised in England, he came through Chelsea’s academy before making his name at West Ham United. Over 13 Premier League seasons, Cole notched 51 top-flight goals, becoming a mainstay in East London and a cult hero among the Hammers faithful. His 15-goal haul in the Championship three years after his Premier League high helped propel West Ham back to the top flight, cementing his legacy at the club.
But it was moments like the infamous training ground prank that truly captured the spirit of England’s golden generation. The camaraderie, the banter, the willingness to poke fun at one another—even at the expense of a teammate’s dignity—were all part of what made that era of English football so memorable. For Cole, the prank was a rite of passage, a sign that he had been accepted into the inner circle of England internationals.
"I just want to be around the lads. I'm trying to impress. I'm trying to make sure I'm doing everything," Cole admitted, reflecting on his eagerness to fit in. The prank may have left him red-faced, but it also showcased the unique bond shared by the squad, one forged through shared experiences both on and off the pitch.
Of course, not every moment in Cole’s career was filled with laughter. Despite his club success, he never quite replicated that form for England, failing to score in his seven caps. Still, he remains a beloved figure in East London, with fans cherishing his contributions both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Even after hanging up his boots in 2017 following a stint at Indonesian club Persib Bandung, Cole’s connection to West Ham remained strong. Rumors swirled in 2019 about a possible return to the club, though those whispers were quickly silenced.
In 2024, Cole found his way back to West Ham in a new capacity, joining the club as loans and pathway manager. In this behind-the-scenes role, he’s been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of talent, ensuring that the club’s future remains bright. It’s a fitting continuation for a player who, despite the ups and downs of a long career, has always been about more than just goals and appearances.
As for the prank that left him “running with three legs”? It’s become a favorite anecdote, a story that perfectly encapsulates the camaraderie and mischief that defined Cole’s time with England. "Nice to say that I was probably the quickest on the pitch, yeah. So I was running with three legs," he quipped, proving that sometimes, the best way to deal with embarrassment is to own it—and laugh along with everyone else.
Jermain Defoe, who celebrated his 43rd birthday on the very day the story was retold, and Wayne Rooney, both remain central figures in England’s football folklore. Their roles in the prank only add another layer to their already storied careers. For Cole, the memory is a reminder of how football is as much about the moments off the pitch as it is about the magic on it.
With Cole now guiding West Ham’s young hopefuls, you can bet that stories like these will be passed down, ensuring that the next generation understands the value of team spirit, humility, and a good laugh. After all, football’s greatest tales aren’t always about trophies—they’re about the bonds forged along the way.
