FORMER Grays Athletic star, Mitchell Cole, has revealed that heart problems led to the cutting short of his football career.
Cole, 25, retired from football this season after being told that his heart condition had deteriorated to a level which would put him in danger if he continued to play.
Cole was speaking on the BBC yesterday following the sudden heart-attack suffered by Bolton Wanderers star, Fabrice Muamba 25, during the FA Cup quarter-final between Tottenham and Bolton at White Hart Lane on Saturday night.
His heart condition was detected whilst at West Ham United when he was just 17.
Cole signed for Grays Athletic in 2004 from West Ham United. He played in the team that won the Conference South and the FA Trophy in the same year.
He went on to play for Southend, Stevenage and Oxford. However, in November he started feeling short of breath in training and matches, and was unable to run to full effect.
A series of medical tests showed a significant deterioration of his heart condition.
He has been advised by a leading cardiologist to stop playing competitive football for risk of a serious heart problem.
