Advertisement

Manchester United and Liverpool fans slam 'embarrassing' Neil Ruddock after Andy Cole admission

Matt Storey - do not use
Neil Ruddock (right) has admitted to deliberately breaking Andy Cole’s (left) legs during a reserve fixture 22 years ago
Neil Ruddock (right) has admitted to deliberately breaking Andy Cole’s (left) legs during a reserve fixture 22 years ago

Former Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock’s admission that he deliberately broke Manchester United striker Andy Cole’s legs has sparked a furious reaction among football fans.

Back in 1996, during a reserve game, Ruddock crunched Cole in a fixture between the bitter rivals at Anfield.

The result was two broken legs and a long period out injured for Cole – now Ruddock has said he meant to break it.

READ MORE: Rooney misses in penalty shootout as DC United knocked out

READ MORE:
Man Utd to review Old Trafford security after ‘toy gun’ incident

READ MORE: Convincing Eriksen to sign a new deal is Spurs’ most pressing priority

“Basically, I loved kicking Andrew Cole,” the former midfielder told talkSPORT.

“I know this is not big and it’s not clever, but in one tackle I did break both of his legs.

“I didn’t mean to break both of his legs if I’m honest. I only meant to break one… it wasn’t even a free-kick, it was ‘play on’.”

Ruddock’s comments are sure to anger Cole, who has previously said he didn’t think it was deliberate
Ruddock’s comments are sure to anger Cole, who has previously said he didn’t think it was deliberate

Despite claiming it is not ‘big and clever’, the midfielder then went on to refer to the situation as ‘excellent’.

“It was excellent because he let the ball run past him and I absolutely destroyed him,” Ruddock added.

“Again, I know it’s not big and it’s not clever, but it was great.”

The reason behind Ruddock’s tackle was even more ridiculous: “I’m great friends with Teddy Sheringham and if Teddy Sheringham didn’t like him, then I don’t like him.”

Now fans of both clubs have lambasted the 50-year-old for his admission.

Manchester United fans have been quick to point out that Cole ‘won more in single seasons than Ruddock did in his entire career.’

They have also poked fun at Ruddock for going bankrupt in 2011 and said he must need the money that the increased publicity his comments will bring.

Others have questioned why the FA aren’t doing anything about it and Tweeted local police forces to report assault.

And it’s not just United fans who have reacted angrily to Ruddock – Liverpool fans are not happy with their former player.

One particularly vocal supporter believes Ruddock was “the embodiment of everything wrong with the club during the 1990s.”

The Londoner made 115 appearances during a five-year spell at Anfield, winning the League Cup in 1995.

Cole has previously dismissed any talk that Ruddock may have gone out to hurt him, saying that something would have to be ‘awry in their head’ to do that.

“I never thought for a moment that Ruddock had maliciously taken me down with the intention of breaking my bones,” Cole said.

“No professional would do that to another unless there was something awry in their head.”

Clearly Cole was wrong though and some fans now think his ‘lawyers will be licking their lips.’