Cole: Rape nightmare changed me forever

Speaking for the first time today about his ordeal Cole said: "I was definitely victimised and if I wasn't a footballer none of this would have happened. The girl wouldn't have had a go at me but at least it made me realise I have a responsibility.

"People were talking about me because of what happened off the pitch, not because of football, and I didn't like that at all. I want to get that straight and be known for what I do on the field.

"I was always confident nothing would happen and we were never even charged, but the media made out that we were guilty already. We were guilty of going out and having a few drinks, but girls can say anything they want and you become guilty straight away. It's not fair. She came out with a stupid story that didn't add up and as soon as it's in the press people label you as a rapist. I was being called a rapist during games and as a young lad it was very difficult to take on the chin.

"I told my family that I couldn't take the abuse I was getting and they said, 'You put yourself in the muddle, you hung around these girls and have to fix it'. The case affected me deeply but I maintained my innocence and knew I'd be cleared."

Cole's interest in the Leicester case which has dominated this week's headlines stems from more than his own bitter experience.

The 20-year-old is a good friend of Sinclair from their days at Stamford Bridge and is convinced of his innocence.

Although 12 years Cole's senior, Sinclair took a great deal of interest in the club's gangly youth-team striker, taking him on shopping trips and giving him advice on how to make it in the professional game.

Now the roles are reversed and, having suffered himself, Cole has some advice for his old friend.

He said: "I'd tell Frank to keep his head down and believe in his own innocence. He doesn't have to talk to anyone about it. I heard that he talked to the newspapers and I don't think that's necessary. If you're innocent you don't have to say, 'I didn't do this, I didn't do that'.

"If I'd have done something wrong I probably would have panicked and said something, but I knew I was innocent so didn't say anything.

"I feel sorry for Frank as I know him very well. He's not the type of person to get into that sort of trouble and it's not in his character. I just don't get the feeling he could do such a thing."

While Sinclair could yet face trial, Cole is relieved to have put his ordeal behind him. He said: "It was almost funny what happened to me as it was so ridiculous. I felt sorry for some of the names involved because it didn't happen that way.

"It's hard when you're labelled a rapist when you've done nothing wrong, particularly as you haven't got the chance to prove yourself.

"I didn't know what the story was until a month into the investigation and only got feedback from the newspapers. We didn't know what we were supposed to have done, who she said was in the room or anything. It was ridiculous really. I was in the room with her and another player, I won't lie about that, but there was nothing unlawful. I'd rather it was out in the open and clear everything up.

"I'm not slagging her off as I'm not that type of person, but I don't know what she was thinking. I couldn't believe what happened and it was obviously down to money. I heard that she got £100,000 for her story and I knew it was about the money. The fact that she went to [publicist] Max Clifford says it all."

ALTHOUGH it is difficult to feel too much sympathy for young men paid huge sums to live out their childhood fantasies in front of an adoring public, Cole offers an alternative perspective of a footballer's supposed dream lifestyle. Suspicious of strangers and surrounded by fakes and hangers-on, a conventional social life is impossible. The best course of action is simply to stay at home.

He said: "Coming from London makes it worse as a lot goes on here and it's easy to be dragged down the wrong track. It's hard to deal with when you're young and money is thrown at you, but every footballer has to learn how to conduct themselves.

"There's nothing wrong with going out but you have to take precautions and can't be reckless. You have to be wary that people are out to get you and will always be on your back, saying you're flash, saying you're this and that.

"Some people will always be on your case because you're a footballer and it's not just girls, it's boys as well.

"There are lots of lads who smile at you but chat rubbish behind your back. You don't know who's fake and who's loyal so your family and close friends are very important. I've just started to notice a lot of fake people hanging around me and young players get dragged in. You can get dragged into the wrong group, people hanging around you because of your name, and I try to stay out of that.

"The last few months have been a real eye-opener and I've learned how to deal with things. I can't trust any girl really, unless I've known them since I was young.

"I can't chat to a girl I've met on a night out because I don't know what they're up to and what's in the back of their mind. I have to be very careful who I'm around. The best thing is to go out as little as possible, only on special occasions."

Although scarred by his experience, Cole draws positives from what has happened. He feels he has learned an important lesson early in life and is determined not to put himself in that position again.

Cole said: "It's been a good experience in a way because I can take plus points out of it and I've become more wary about how I behave. I've learned how to handle myself and have been given a different view of life.

"My ordeal changed me a lot and I'm determined to concentrate on football. It was a horrible time but also a learning experience. I've learned to keep my head down and do things discreetly. Before I was too open and everyone knew my business because I was an easy target.

"I've learned that I have a responsibility to be a role model and share what I've been through with younger footballers.

"Hopefully, I can pass on my experience and if they're going down the wrong path I can tell them so. I didn't realise that a lot of people looked up to me in the way I look up to senior pros. I want to be a model professional like Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira - you never see them in the papers for the wrong reasons.

"I was unlucky to be in the situation but am glad it happened to me early. I'm grateful it happened that way because there could have been millions of other lies spread about me and it wouldn't have looked good.

"Look what happened to John Leslie. One thing led to another, led to another, led to another. It got out of control and he ended up losing his job. I'm grateful that my case was cleared up."