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Politicians: ‘Skill’ Cole was unique, exceptional
October 16, 2025
Jamaica's football icon, Allan 'Skill' Cole, who was laid to rest at the Sunset Burial Park in Shooters Hill on Saturday, was described as "unique" and "exceptional" by respective political representatives at Saturday's thanksgiving service at the National Arena.
Leader of the Opposition People's National Party, Mark Golding, said Cole was truly one of a kind with the massive influence he had, not only on football, but in shaping the musical and cultural history of Jamaica.
"Kay Osborne spoke to 'Skill' Cole's role not only as a manager and a friend of the Wailers (Bob Marley) but as a warrior for the philosophical 'groundation', from which that music emerged, defending them and the music, defending the principles of Rastafari," said Golding.
"I got to know him fairly recently. At another occasion, I got the opportunity to chat with him for a couple hours, and I got to realise the knowledge of the man, who has been a critical part of Jamaica's cultural and sporting history. He was unique.
"Growing up you learn not only about his talent, great proficiency and prowess as a baller, his dribbling, passing control, and vision and elegance on the field, but also his special relationship with the great Bob Marley and the Wailers," Golding related.
"He had so many experiences and life-changing incidents in our history. He had personal relationships with so many seminal figures, which helped to build Jamaica and made Jamaica what it is internationally today."
Golding added that a book should be written on Cole for reference for future generations.
"I look forward to a remarkable biography being written on the life and times of the great Allan 'Skill' Cole. So his memory is not only with us in our hearts and thoughts but will be inscribed for future generations to see and dream about because he had a unique place in our history."
Minister of Culture, Gender and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, said to be called to represent your country at the tender age of 15 in any sport means you must be 'exceptional', which Cole was, undisputed.
"Allan Aloysius Cole was undoubtedly one of the great sons of Jamaica for his prowess in the sport of football and his contribution to reggae music," she said.
"During his 74 years with us, 'Skill' was a man spoken of in awe and was an inspiration to us all. You have to be exceptional to start any career at 15 years old. 'Skill' Cole was because he earned his first call-up to Jamaica's national football team at that tender age.
"Just imagine a 15-year-old boy playing football for his country. The great Pele, with whom 'Skill' later matched skills, was 16 when he made his debut for Brazil," she said.
"So 'Skill' created history as the country's youngest senior football international and as Jamaica's first overseas player in the Brazilian league. Skill was born to play the beautiful game of football. He fully earned the nickname Skill.
She also pointed out that his reach went far beyond just football.
"Skill Cole's influence extended beyond the football field. He contributed significantly to Jamaica's music in his role as tour manager for Bob Marley and the Wailers and a co-song writer on the song War.
"So we can say our greatest baller coached our greatest reggae artist on the football field, and together, they made a song that became hugely popular," Grange admitted.
"Allan 'Skill' Cole was a dedicated son of Jamaica, a true patriot who served his country exceptionally well. We will never again see the likes of a 'Skill' Cole because he was a very special human being.
"May his soul rest in peace, and may God's light shine on him perpetually," she concluded.
