'Proud' - Newcastle United player with 'unbeaten' Premier League stat inducted into Hall of Fame

Andy Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame alongside Chelsea legend John Terry.

Newcastle United is where the former striker first sampled regular top-flight action in the 1990s. Kevin Keegan persuaded Sir John Hall to pay a club-record fee for Cole to cement the Magpies’ Premier League promotion.

He then bagged 12 goals in and many games to do exactly that before forming a formidable partnership with Peter Beardsley. The duo combined, with Cole netting a staggering 41 times across all competitions, to secure a third-placed finish in Newcastle’s first-ever Premier League campaign.

Toon fans would soon be heartbroken when the Magpies sold Cole to Manchester United in January 1995. Keegan was forced to explain the decision on the steps of St James’ Park, with the striker going on to become a club legend at Old Trafford.

Cole ended his career as the division’s second-highest scorer on 187 goals. Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane have since surpassed the ex-Newcastle man but are yet to claim their place in the Hall of Fame.

“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved in football, which is thanks to my family, my coaches and my team-mates,” Cole said following his induction. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me very proud.

“Football is a game of ups and downs but I enjoyed every single minute of my career. My dad wanted me to play cricket but I said, ‘No dad, I think I’m good at football.’ Looking back at my career always fills me with great pride and puts a smile on my face.

“The reason you play football and compete at the highest level is to win major honours. It was so, so special for me to win so many trophies and five Premier Leagues. To get my first one was crazy and after that I just wanted to win more.”